Decomposition of bio-polymers of some Mediterranean plants during heating

Forest fires are a plague for all countries in the world. Many factors can induce them. The organic matter ('fuel') in the plant, is often responsible for the start of the fire. The bio-polymers and mainly the cellulose decom pose at about 300 degrees C with flammable evolved gas. This decomposition is first order, and the activation energy is about 180 kJ mol(-1). On the o ther hand, the degradation of the lignin seems more complex, but we observe d on many samples, a linearly decomposition of the lignin vs. the heating r ate (in the interval close to the start of the forest fire, 300 to 3000 deg rees C h(-1)). The decomposition of the plant during the heat is mainly dep endent on the cellulose level. This degradation is also slightly dependent on the lignin level mainly if the lignin present in this plant is less stab le.