Nonequilibrium process for cracking ethane and n-buthane in themanufacture of ethene has been analytically and numerically investigated in a Heavi-side function temperature field and through a normal shock wave.The results demon-strate that,while the reaction temperature increases,the maximum value of etheneyield is increased,and the optimal reaction duration is sharply shortened.For theidentical initial reaction temperature,the maximum value of ethene yield through astationary normal shock wave is less than that in a Heaviside function temperaturefield.However,the ethene consumption after the maximum value in the former caseis less than that in the latter.Higher ethene yield will be obtained by using thegasdynamic heating method than by using the current methods.
