KINETICS AND MODELING OF GAS-FORMATION IN THE THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF POWDERY CELLULOSE AND PINE SAWDUST

The formation of different gases in the thermal decomposition of cellu lose and pine sawdust has been studied. The kinetic constants of CO2 a nd H-2 formation in cellulose decomposition have been determined from results obtained in isothermal experiments. These kinetic constants ha ve been taken as representative of pine sawdust decomposition at T > 2 92 degrees C, and values for lower temperatures have been obtained fro m isothermal experiments performed with pine sawdust. For both materia ls, a simple model without adjustable parameters has been applied that allows us to calculate the local temperature, solid conversion, and y ield of each gas. The results obtained in dynamic experiments with hea ting rates ranging between 2 and 53 degrees C/min have been compared w ith the theoretical results, and an acceptable agreement has been achi eved.