Pitch pyrolysis kinetics: isothermal heat treatment experiments and model

The present study was focussed on the modelling of the evolution under hear treatment of the so-called gamma, beta and alpha-resins fractions usually used for pitches composition characterization. The model was based on pheno menologic basic mechanisms such as gas-liquid, liquid-liquid mass transfers and chemical reactions with respect to the overall resins assimilated to b asic equivalent chemical species. It has been confronted with success to ex perimental data investigated at three temperature levels (400, 330, 450 deg rees C) and eight soaking times (from 0 to 12 h) for two different material s: a petroleum and a coal tar pitch. The identified kinetic parameters were found to be in agreement with usual values encountered in literature for s imilar basic phenomena. This led to an accurate predictive tool intended to reactor design and optimization as well as pitches reactivity comparison. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.