Modeling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation during hydrocarbon pyrolysis

Low-pressure carburizing is a heat treatment process used to harden surface steel by enriching the metal with carbon atoms coming from pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, at the same time, other species, considered to be proved to be carcinogenic are also formed, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aim of the model is to predict the formation of the sixteen PAHs identified by US Environmental Protection Agency, with different operating conditions and for different hydrocarbonaceous gases.