The kinetics of sawdust pyrolysis in the temperature range from 300 to
600 degrees C has been measured. A thermogravimetric analyser was app
lied for the temperature range from 300 to 450 degrees C while for mea
surements in the temperature range from 450 to 600 degrees C, an entra
ined flow reactor has been used. The kinetic expression that describes
the mass loss of sawdust due to pyrolysis is assumed to be of a singl
e first-order in the unconverted wood. The first-order rate constant o
btained from measurements in both the thermogravimetric analyser and t
he entrained flow reactor can be described by an Arrhenius equation wi
th k(0) = 1.4 10(10) kg.kg(-1).s(-1) and E(a) = 150 KJ.mol(-1).