Thermal decomposition and kinetics studies on the 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–styrene copolymer and 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–vinyl acetate copolymer

In the present work, kinetics of thermal decomposition of 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–styrene copolymer (DNPA/St) and 2,2-dinitropropyl acrylate–vinyl acetate copolymer (DNPA/VAc) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of the heating rate (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1) on the DSC behavior of the copolymer was verified. The results showed that, as the heating rate was increased, decomposition temperature of the copolymer was increased. Also, the kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor of the copolymer were obtained from the DSC data by the isoconversional methods proposed by Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO). Average activation energy obtained by KAS and FWO methods for the thermal decomposition reaction of DNPA/St and DNPA/VAc are 157.38 ± 0.27 and 147.67 ± 0.57 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The rate constants for thermal decomposition calculated from the activation parameters showed the structural dependency. The relative stability of two copolymers under 50 °C was in this order: DNPA/St > DNPA/VAc. The results of thermogravimetry (TG) analysis revealed that the main mass changes for DNPA/St and DNPA/VAc occurred in the temperature ranges of 200–270 °C. The DSC-FTIR analysis of DNPA/St indicates that the band intensity of nitro and other groups increased haphazardly from 230 °C due to thermal decomposition.     

Investigation of the bioenergy potential of microalgae Scenedesmus acuminatus by physicochemical characterization and kinetic analysis of pyrolysis

In this work, the bioenergy potential of green microalgae Scenedesmus acuminatus was evaluated through the psychochemical characteristics and kinetic study of pyrolysis, where the results indicate a good candidate for application in the thermochemical process due to its low moisture and ash content and high calorific value. Its thermal behavior under a heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 and inert atmosphere shows that decomposition occurs in two stages. Stage I (125–309 °C) involves the pyrolysis of carbohydrates and protein and stage II (309–501 °C) the pyrolysis of lipids. The Starink isoconversional method showed a better application for simulation curves, compared with methods of FWO and KAS. The average values of activated energy were 107.1 and 132.6 kJ mol^?1 for stages I and II, respectively, which indicates that pyrolysis occurs more easily in stage I than in stage II. The conversion rate curves show that the calculated kinetic parameters are satisfactory for the evaluation of the thermochemical systems.

     

DSC kinetics of the thermal decomposition of copper(II) oxalate by isoconversional and maximum rate (peak) methods

The copper(II) oxalate was synthesized, characterized using FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy and its non-isothermal decomposition was studied by differential scanning calorimetric at different heating rates. The kinetics of the thermal decomposition was investigated using different isoconversional and maximum rate (peak) methods viz. Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Tang, Starink^1.95, Starink^1.92, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Bosewell. The activation energy values obtained from isoconversional methods of FWO and Bosewell are 0.9 and 3.0 %, respectively, higher than that obtained from other methods. The variation of activation energy, E _α with conversion function, α, established using these different methods were found to be similar. Compared to the FWO method, the KAS method offers a significant improvement in the accuracy of the E _a values. All but the Bosewell maximum rate (peak) methods yielded consistent values of E _α (~137 kJ mol^?1); however, the complexity of the thermal decomposition reaction can be identified only through isoconversional methods.     

Pyrolysis of pine needles: effects of process parameters on products yield and analysis of products

Pyrolysis of pine needles was carried out in a semi-batch reactor. The effects of pyrolysis parameters such as temperature (350–650 °C), heating rate (10 and 50 °C min^?1), nitrogen flow rate (50–200 cm³ min^?1) and biomass particle size (0.25–1.7 mm) were examined on products yield. Maximum bio-oil yield of 43.76% was obtained at pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C with a heating rate of 50 °C min^?1, nitrogen flow rate of 100 cm³ min^?1 for biomass particle size of 0.6 < d _p < 1 mm. The characterization of pyrolysis products (bio-oil, bio-char) has been made through different instrumental methods like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), X-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. The empirical formula of the bio-oil and bio-char was found as CH_1.47O_0.36N_0.005 and CH_0.56O_0.28N_0.013 with heating value of 26.25 and 25.50 MJ kg^?1, respectively. Results show that bio-oil can be potentially valuable as a renewable fuel after upgrading and can be used as a feedstock for valuable chemicals production. The properties of bio-char reveal that it can be used as solid fuels, as a cheap adsorbent and as a feedstock for activated carbon production.     

Thermal behavior and kinetic modeling of (NH4)4UO2(CO3)3 decomposition under non-isothermal conditions

The thermal behavior and kinetic analysis of ammonium uranyl carbonate decomposition has been studied in inert gas, O₂, and 90%Ar–10%H₂ atmospheres under non-isothermal conditions. The results showed a dependence on specific surface area with the decomposition temperature of ammonium uranyl tri-carbonate (AUC). Specific surface area increases and reaches a maximum between 300 and 400 °C and decreases at T > 400 °C. The reaction paths of AUC decomposition under the three atmospheres were proposed. The integral methods Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) were used for the kinetic analysis. The activation energy averages are 58.01 and 56.19 kJ/mol by KAS and FWO methods, respectively.

     

Thermokinetic characterisation of tin(II) chloride

Thermokinetic behaviour of SnCl₂ was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry techniques under non-isothermal conditions in air, complemented by electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. According to the results obtained, the oxidation of SnCl₂ at the heating rates of 5 and 100 °C min^?1 leads to the in situ formation of highly crystalline SnO₂ nanostructures in the form of nanoparticles and nanorods, respectively. The oxidation of SnCl₂ was found to be a liquid–solid (LS) phase transition at the heating rates equal or lower than 10 °C min^?1 and a gas–solid phase transition at the heating rates equal or greater than 20 °C min^?1. The activation energy of melting, vaporisation and LS oxidation of SnCl₂ was determined to be 198, 93 and 91 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Thermal decomposition of tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate

Thermal decomposition of tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate has been studied employing simultaneous techniques of TG–DTG–DSC—quadrupole mass spectrometric techniques in an inert atmosphere of pure Helium gas at a sample heating rate of 5 K min^?1 employing a platinum crucible. The observed decomposition paths are the most commonly expected Hofmann elimination and substitution reactions paths.     

Thermal decomposition of tetraalkylammonium iodides

A number of tetramethylammonium (TMA) iodides, including mono-, tri-, and pentaiodide, were synthesized. Thermal decomposition of samples was investigated by simultaneous TG–DSC analysis accompanied by gaseous IR- and mass-spectrometry analyses. Two different reaction pathways have been observed for TMA pentaiodide at different heating rates. At low heating rates (1–5 K min^?1), a gradual mass loss takes place and a stability plateau due to monoiodide formation exists on TG curve. At high heating rates (10, 15 and 7 K min^?1 as the in-between stage), there are only two peaks on DTG curve (instead of three for lower heating rates) and no monoiodide formation is observed as the sample decomposes completely before 350 °C.     

Study of pyrolysis kinetic of green corn husk

In this paper, it was suggested the use of green corn husk, which is a biomass from agro-industry, as an alternative source of energy through its pyrolysis. Green corn husk characterization was done through immediate and elemental analysis of its components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. It was also measured its higher calorific value. The pyrolysis study of green corn husk was done by the isoconversion and the Master plots method. Thermogravimetric plots were obtained at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min^?1. The pyrolysis kinetics parameters were studied through the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, and Friedman models. The Master plots method was used to determine the pyrolysis reaction order. The results of the reaction energy activation were found to be in the range 105.21–157.46 kJ mol^?1 by the FWO method, 150.50 kJ mol^?1 by the Kissinger method, and ranged 120.66–163.81 kJ mol^?1 by the Friedman method. The Master plots method showed a three-way-transport diffusional kinetics for the biomass de-volatilization process. The higher calorific value found for green corn husk was 16.14 MJ kg^?1. The simulation showed correlation between the experimental data and the proposed model for conversion values up to 0.8.

     

Non-isothermal pyrolysis of used lubricating oil and the catalytic effect of carbon-based nanomaterials on the process performance

Pyrolysis is a commonly used method for the recovery of used lubricating oil (ULO), which should be kinetically improved by a catalyst, due to its high level of energy consumption. In this research, the catalytic effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets on the pyrolysis of ULO were studied through thermogravimetric analysis. First, the kinetic parameters of ULO pyrolysis including activation energy were calculated to be 170.12 and 167.01 kJ mol^?1 by FWO and KAS methods, respectively. Then, the catalytic effects of CNT and graphene nanoplatelets on pyrolysis kinetics were studied. While CNT had a negligible effect on the pyrolysis process, graphene nanoplatelets significantly reduced the temperature of maximum conversion during pyrolysis from 400 to 350 °C, due to high thermal conductivity and homogenous heat transfer in the pyrolysis process. On the other hand, graphene nanoplatelets maximized the rate of conversion of highly volatile components at lower temperatures (<?100 °C), which was mainly due to the high affinity of these components toward graphene nanoplatelets and also the effect of nanoplatelets’ edges which have free tails and can bond with other molecules. Moreover, graphene nanoplatelets decreased the activation energy of the conversion to 154.48 and 152.13 kJ mol^?1 by FWO and KAS methods, respectively.

     

Thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis of energy crop Jerusalem artichoke using the distributed activation energy model

Jerusalem artichoke has great potential as future feedstock for bioenergy production because of its high tuber yield (up to 90 t ha^?1), appropriate biomass characteristics, low input demand, and positive environmental impact. The pyrolytic and kinetic characteristics of Jerusalem artichoke tubers were analyzed at heating rates of 5, 10, 20 and 30 °C min^?1. TG and DTG curves in an inert (nitrogen) atmosphere suggested that there were three distinct stages of mass loss and the major loss occurs between about 190–380 °C. Heating rate brought a lateral shift toward right in the temperature. And, it not only affects the temperature at which the highest mass loss rate reached, but also affect the maximum rate of mass loss. The distributed activation energy model (DAEM) was used to study the pyrolysis kinetics and provided reasonable fits to the experimental data. The activation energy (E) of tubers ranged from 146.40 to 232.45 kJ mol^?1, and the frequency factor (A) changed greatly corresponding to E values at different mass conversion.     

Combustion study of HTPB–sugar hybrid fuel with gaseous oxygen

In the present investigation, some combustion studies have been carried out with 50 % HTPB + 50 % sugar fuel grain, burning in the gaseous oxygen stream using swirl and showerhead injectors, and the regression rate has been compared. The combustion of fuel grain has been carried out for burning duration of 10 ± 1 s at four different oxidizer injection pressures, viz 1.52, 2.21, 2.76 and 3.24 MPa. The regression rates were found to increase with increasing injection pressure. Use of swirl injector exhibited higher regression rate compared to the showerhead injector. The average regression rate and fuel mass consumption rate in case of swirl injector were found to be higher than that of showerhead injector. The average regression rate for the fuel with swirl injector has been found to be 18.81, 15.11, 17.73 and 20.23 % more than that of shower head injector. The exhaust plume was also found out to be brighter and longer for a swirl injector compared to that of the showerhead injector. The thermal decomposition characteristic of fuel has been determined using differential thermal analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis techniques. The decomposition study was carried out at heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 in an oxygen atmosphere. The exothermic peak indicating that major decomposition takes place at a higher temperature of 483.3 °C. Mass loss have been found using TG analysis. Residual mass of 1.262 % has been obtained in the heating range of 30–500 °C. Heat of combustion of fuel is found to be 6972.41 Cal g^?1.     

Effect of CaCO3 Filler Component on Solid State Decomposition Kinetic of PP/LDPE/CaCO3 Composites

In this study, the effect of addition Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) filler component on solid state thermal decomposition procedures of Polypropylene-Low Density Polyethylene (PP-LDPE; 90/10 wt%) blends involving different amounts (5, 10, 20 wt%) Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) was investigated using thermogravimetry in dynamic nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. An integral composite procedure involving the integral iso-conversional methods such as the Tang (TM), the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method (KAS), the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), an integral method such as Coats-Redfern (CR) and master plots method were employed to determine the kinetic model and kinetic parameters of the decomposition processes under non-isothermal conditions. The Iso-conversional methods indicated that the thermal decomposition reaction should conform to single reaction model. The results of the integral composite procedures of TG data at various heating rates suggested that thermal processes of PP-LDPE-CaCO₃ composites involving different amounts of CaCO₃ filler component (5, 10, 20 wt%) followed a single step with approximate activation energies of 226.7, 248.9, and 252.0 kJ.mol^{? 1} according to the FWO method, respectively and those of 231.3, 240.1 and 243.0 kJ mol^{? 1} at 5°C min^{? 1} according to the Coats-Redfern method, the reaction mechanisms of all the composites was described from the master plots methods and are P_n model for composite C-1, R_n model for composites C-2 and C-3, respectively. It was found that the thermal stability, activation energy and thermal decomposition process changed by the increasing CaCO₃ filler weight in composite structure.     

Thermal parameters study of 1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane at low heating rates with differential scanning calorimetry

Having two active peroxide groups, 1,1-bis(tert-butylperoxy)cyclohexane (BTBPC) has a certain degree of thermal instability. It is usually used as an initiator in a chemical process, and therefore, careless operation could result in severe accidents. This study emphasized the runaway reactions of BTBPC 70 mass% (4.5–5.2 mg), the relevant thermokinetic parameters, and the thermal safety parameters. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the above-mentioned thermokinetic parameters, using four low heating rates (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 °C min^?1) combined with kinetic simulation method. The results indicated that apparent exothermic onset temperature (T _o), apparent activation energy (E _a), and heat of decomposition (ΔH _d) were ca. 118 °C, 156 kJ mol^?1, and 1,080 kJ kg^?1, respectively. In view of process loss prevention, at the low heating rates of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 °C min^?1, storing BTBPC 70 mass% below 27.27 °C is a more reassuring approach.     

Study of thermal stabilization for polystyrene/carbon nanocomposites via TG/DSC techniques

The degradability and durability for polymer–nanocomposites under various environmental conditions are from the essential fields of research. This study was carried out to examine the thermal stability of polystyrene loaded by carbon (C) nanoparticles up to 20 wt% content. The thermal degradation of PS/C nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under non-isothermal condition and inert gas atmosphere at constant heating rate 10 °C min^?1. The variation of degradation characteristic temperatures as a function of C content has been a non-monotonic behavior. The obtained results suggested that the C nanoparticles act as a promoter slowing down the degradation and providing a protective barrier to the nanocomposite, except 5 wt% C content. The latter exception was confirmed by DSC curve through the emergence of a small endothermic peak before the fundamental endothermic, melting, one.     

Pyrolysis of Eucalyptus wood in a fluidized-bed reactor

Eucalyptus wood can be utilized as a biomass feedstock for conversion to bio-oil using a pyrolysis process. Eucalyptus wood samples were initially pyrolyzed on a laboratory-scale pyrolysis system at different values in the ranges of 300–800 °C and 0.050–0.300 L min^?1 to determine the effects of operation temperature and N₂ flow rate, respectively, on the yields of products. Then, the bio-oil in the highest yield (wB = 44.37 %), which was obtained at pyrolysis final temperature (450 °C), heating rate (35 °C min^?1), particle size (850 μm), and sweeping flow rate (0.200 L min^?1), was characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and column chromatography. Subsequently, it was shown that the operating temperature and N₂ gas flow rate parameters affected the product yields. Also, some important physico-chemical properties of the pyrolytic oil obtained in high yield were determined as a calorific value of 37.85 MJ kg^?1, an empirical formula of CH_1.651O_0.105N_0.042S_0.001, a rich chemical content containing many different chemical groups, a density of 981.48 kg m^?3, and a viscosity of 61.24 mm² s^?1. Based on the determined properties of the pyrolytic oil, it was concluded that the use of pyrolytic oil derived from Eucalyptus wood may be useful for the production of alternative liquid fuels and fine chemicals after the necessary improvements.     

Gas Chromatographic Determination of Guanidino Compounds Using Hexafluoroacetylacetone and Ethyl Chloroformate as Derivatizing Reagents

Guanidino compounds guanidine, methylguanidine, guanidinoacetic acid, guanidinobutyric acid, guanidinopropionic acid, and guanidinosuccinic acid after derivatization with hexafluoroacetylacetone and ethyl chloroformate at pH 9 in aqueous phase, eluted, and separated from gas chromatographic column HP-5 (30 m × 0.32 mm id) with film thickness of 0.25 μm at an initial column temperature 90 °C for 2 min, followed by heating rate of 10 °C min^?1 up to 220 °C with nitrogen flow rate of 1 mL min^?1. The detection was by flame ionization detector. The linear calibration ranges of each of guanidino compounds were obtained within 1–10 μg mL^?1, and the limit of detection was within 0.014–0.19 μg mL^?1. The derivatization and gas chromatography elution and separation were repeatable in terms of retention time and peak height/peak area with relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 4) within 1.7–2.9 % and 1.4–2.8 %, respectively. The method was applied for the determination of guanidino compounds from deproteinized serum of uremic patients and healthy volunteers, and was found in the range below the limit of quantitation (BLOQ) to 1.25 μg mL^?1 with RSD within 1.4–3.6 %, and BLOQ to 0.4 μg mL^?1 with RSD 1.3–3.4 %, respectively. A number of pharmaceutical additives did not effect the determination with RSD within ±3.1 %.     

Thermal behavior of some Estonian clays and their mixtures with oil shale ash additives

Thermal behavior of green clay samples from Kunda and Arumetsa deposits (Estonia) as potential raw materials for production of ceramics and the influence of previously fired clay and hydrated oil shale ash additives on it were the objectives of this research. Two different ashes were used as additives: the electrostatic precipitator ash from the first field and the cyclone ash formed, respectively, at circulating fluidized bed combustion (temperatures 750–830 °C) and pulverized firing (temperatures 1,200–1,400 °C) of Estonian oil shale at Estonian Power Plant. The experiments on a Setaram Labsys Evo 1600 thermoanalyzer coupled with Pfeiffer OmniStar Mass Spectrometer by a heated transfer line were carried out under non-isothermal conditions up to 1,050 °C at the heating rate of 5 °C min^?1 in an oxidizing atmosphere containing 79 % of Ar and 21 % of O₂. Standard 100 µL Pt crucibles were used, the mass of samples was 50 ± 0.5 mg, and the gas flow 60 mL min^?1. The results obtained indicate the complex character of transformations and show certain differences in the thermal behavior of Arumetsa and Kunda clays and their mixtures with oil shale ashes depending on the chemical and mineralogical composition of the clays as well as of the oil shale ashes studied.     

Thermogravimetry study of the pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of macro-algae Macrocystis pyrifera residue

Macrocystis pyrifera is one important marine macro-algae, while its residues produced by industrial alginate extraction is a hot potato. To figure out whether its residue is suitable for pyrolysis for biofuel, the pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of macro-algae M. pyrifera residue was investigated using thermogravimetric method from 50 to 800 °C in an inert argon atmosphere at different heating rates of 5, 10, 20, and 30 °C min^?1. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor was calculated by Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, and Popescu methods, and the kinetic mechanism was deduced by Popescu method. The results showed that the primary devolatilization stage of M. pyrifera residue can be described by Jander function $ \left(\left[ {1 - \left( {1 - \alpha } \right)^{1/3} } \right]^{2}\right) $ . The average activation energy of M. pyrifera residue was 222.4 kJ mol^?1. The results suggested that the experimental results and kinetic parameters provided useful information for the design of pyrolytic processing system using M. pyrifera residue as feedstock.     

Thermal deamination kinetics of tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) sulphate in the solid-state

Thermogravimetric techniques have been used to study the kinetics of thermal deamination of tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) sulphate. The complex was synthesized and characterized by various chemical and spectral techniques. Thermal decomposition studies were carried at different heating rates (5, 10, 15 and 20°C min⁻¹) in dynamic air. The complex undergoes a four-stage decomposition pattern. The stages are not well resolved. Decomposition path can be interpreted as a two-stage deamination, and a two-stage decomposition. Reaction products at each stage were separated and identified by means of IR and XRD. The morphology of the complex and the residue were studied by means of SEM. Final residue of the decomposition was found to be crystalline NiO. The deamination kinetics was studied using model-free isoconversional methods viz., Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods. It is observed that the activation energy varies with the extent of conversion; indicating the complex nature of the deamination reaction.