Kinetic study of wood chips decomposition by TGA

Pyrolysis of a wood chips mixture and main wood compounds such as hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin was investigated by thermogravimetry. The investigation was carried out in inert nitrogen atmosphere with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 900°C for four heating rates: 2 K min⁻¹, 5 K min⁻¹, 10 K min⁻¹, and 15 K min⁻¹. Hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin were used as the main compounds of biomass. TGA and DTG temperature dependencies were evaluated. Decomposition processes proceed in three main stages: water evaporation, and active and passive pyrolysis. The decomposition of hemicellulose and cellulose takes place in the temperature range of 200–380°C and 250–380°C, while lignin decomposition seems to be ranging from 180°C up to 900°C. The isoconversional method was used to determine kinetic parameters such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor mainly in the stage of active pyrolysis and partially in the passive stage. It was found that, at the end of the decomposition process, the value of activation energy decreases. Reaction order does not have a significant influence on the process because of the high value of the pre-exponential factor. Obtained kinetic parameters were used to calculate simulated decompositions at different heating rates. Experimental data compared with the simulation ones were in good accordance at all heating rates. From the pyrolysis of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin it is clear that the decomposition process of wood is dependent on the composition and concentration of the main compounds.     

Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics of sewage sludge for different sizes and heating rates

The pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics of sewage sludge for different sizes (d < 0.25 mm, 0.25 mm < d < 0.83 mm, and d > 0.83 mm) and heating rates (5, 20, and 35 °C/min) were investigated in this article. The STA 409 was utilized for the sewage sludge thermogravimetric analysis. FTIR analysis was employed to study the functional groups and intermediates during the process of pyrolysis. Meanwhile, a new method was developed to calculate pyrolysis kinetic parameters (activated energy E, the frequency factor A, and reaction order n) with surface fitting tool in software MATLAB. The results show that all the TG curves are divided into three stages: evaporation temperature range (180–220 °C), main decomposition temperature range (220–650 °C), and final decomposition temperature range (650–780 °C). The sewage sludge of d < 0.25 mm obtains the largest total mass loss, especially at the heating rate of 5 °C/min. By FTIR analysis, the functional groups including NH, C–H, C=C, etc., are all found in the sewage sludge. There is a comparison between the FTIR spectra of sludge heated to 350 °C (temperature associated to maximum devolatilization rate in the second stage) and the FTIR spectra of sludge heated to 730 °C (temperature associated to maximum devolatilization rate in the third stage). In the second stage, the alcohols, ammonia, and carboxylic acid in the sludge have been mostly decomposed into gases, and only a little bit of compounds containing CH and OH of COOH exist. The pyrolysis kinetic parameters of second stage are as follows: the reaction orders are in the range of 1.6–1.8 and the activation energy is about 45 kJ/mol. The frequency factor increases with the increase of heating rate and sewage sludge size.     

Non-isothermal DSC and TG/DTG analysis of the combustion of Si̇lopi̇ asphaltites

In this research, non-isothermal combustion and kinetics of Silopi (Turkey) asphaltite samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). A sample size of 10 mg, heating rates of 5, 10, 15 and 20°C min⁻¹ were used in the temperature range of 20–600°C, under air atmosphere. Two reaction regions were observed in DSC curves. The first region is due to the evaporation of moisture in asphaltite sample whereas, release of volatile matter and burning of carbon is called the second region. A general computer program was developed and the results of four different kinetic models (Arrhenius, Coats-Redfern, Ingraham-Marrier and Horowitz-Metzger) are compared and discussed with regards to their accuracy and the ease of interpretation of the kinetics of thermal decomposition. In general similar activation energy values were obtained when the kinetic models are compared with each other. It was also observed that there was no general trend in the activation energy values from the point of heating rates.     

Thermal characteristics of bitumen pyrolysis

The pyrolysis behavior of bitumen was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer–mass spectrometer system (TG–MS) and a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) as well as a pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system (Py-GC/MS). TG results showed that there were three stages of weight loss during pyrolysis—less than 110, 110–380, and 380–600 °C. Using distributed activation energy model, the average activation energy of the thermal decomposition of bitumen was calculated at 79 kJ mol⁻¹. The evolved gas from the pyrolysis showed that organic species, such as alkane and alkene fragments had a peak maximum temperature of 130 and 480 °C, respectively. Benzene, toluene, and styrene released at 100 and 420 °C. Most of the inorganic compounds, such as H₂, H₂S, COS, and SO₂, released at about 380 °C while the CO₂ had the maximum temperature peaks at 400 and 540 °C, respectively. FTIR spectra were taken of the residues of the different stages, and the results showed that the C–H bond intensity decreased dramatically at 380 °C. Py-GC/MS confirmed the composition of the evolved gas. The DSC revealed the endothermic nature of the bitumen pyrolysis.     

Thermal behaviour of cephalexin in different mixtures

The thermoanalytical curves (TA), i.e. TG, DTG and DTA for pure cephalexin and its mixtures with talc, magnesium stearate, starch and microcrystalline cellulose, respectively, were drawn up in air and nitrogen at a heating rate of 10 °C min⁻¹. The thermal degradation was discussed on the basis of EGA data obtained for a heating rate of 20 °C min⁻¹. Until 250 °C, the TA curves are similar for all mixtures, up this some peculiarities depending on the additive appears. These certify that between the pure cephalosporin and the excipients do not exists any interaction until 250 °C. A kinetic analysis was performed using the TG/DTG data in air for the first step of cephalexin decomposition at four heating rates: 5, 7, 10 and 12 °C min⁻¹. The data processing strategy was based on a differential method (Friedman), an integral method (Flynn–Wall–Ozawa) and a nonparametric kinetic method (NPK). This last one allowed an intrinsic separation of the temperature, respective conversion dependence on the reaction rate and less speculative discussions on the kinetic model. All there methods had furnished very near values of the activation energy, this being an argument for a single thermooxidative degradation at the beginning (192–200 °C).     

Thermal behaviour and slow molecular mobility in two isomers of biphenylmethanol

This research was aimed to investigate the role of clay on the combustion and kinetic behavior of crude oils in limestone matrix. For this purpose, simultaneous TG (thermogravimetry) and DTA (differential thermal analysis) experiments were performed at three different heating rates as 10–15 and 20°C min^–1, respectively. A uniform trend of decreasing activation energies was observed with the addition of clay. It was concluded that clays surface area affects the values of Arrhenius constant, while it is the catalytic properties of clay, which lower the activation energies of all the reactions, involved in the combustion process.     

Evolved gas analysis at thermal treatment of some solid fossil fuels

Coupled TG-FTIR technique was used for identification of gaseous compounds evolved at thermal treatment of six coal samples from different deposits (Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine). The experiments were carried out under dynamic heating conditions up to 900°C at heating rates of 5, 10 or 50 K min^–1 in a stream of dry air. The emission of CO₂, H₂O, CO, SO₂, COS, methane, methanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, chlorobenzene was clearly identified in FTIR spectra of the samples studied. The formation of ethanol, ethane, ethylene and p-xylene, at least on the level of traces, was also identified. At the heating rate of 5°C min^–1 the temperature of maximum intensities of the characteristic peaks of COS was 270°C, of formaldehyde, formic acid, ethane and methanol 330°C, of SO₂, CO, acetic acid, ethylene and p-xylene 400°C and of chlorobenzene 500°C. At 10°C min^–1 and 50°C min^–1 these temperatures were shifted, respectively, by 70–300°C and 150–450°C towards higher temperatures and the respective absorption bands in FTIR spectra were, as a rule, more intensive.     

Micro-pyrolysis of technical lignins in a new modular rig and product analysis by GC–MS/FID and GC × GC–TOFMS/FID

A new offline-pyrolysis rig has been designed to allow multifunctional experiments for preparative and analytical purposes. The system conditions can be set and monitored, e.g. temperature, its gradients and heat flux. Some special features include (1) high heating rates up to 120 °C/s with pyrolysis temperatures up to 850 °C at variable pyrolysis times and (2) the selection of different atmospheres during pyrolysis. A complete mass balance of products and reactants (gas, liquids and solids) by gravimetric methods and sequential chromatographic analyses was obtained.The pyrolytic behaviour and the decomposition products of lignin-related compounds were studied under different conditions: heating rates (from 2.6 °C/s up to 120 °C/s), pyrolysis temperatures at 500 °C and 800 °C in different atmospheres (N₂, H₂, and mixtures of N₂ and acetylene). Kraft lignin, soda lignin, organosolv lignin, pyrolytic lignin from pine bio-oil, residues from biomass hydrolysis and fermentation were studied.The obtained pyrolysis products were classified into three general groups: coke, liquid phase and gas phase (volatile organic compounds (VOC) and permanent gases). The liquid fraction was analysed by GC–MS/FID. In addition, comprehensive two-dimensional GC was applied to further characterise the liquid fraction. VOCs were semi-quantified by a modified headspace technique using GC–MS/FID analysis. The micro-pyrolysis rig proved to be an efficient and useful device for complex pyrolysis applications.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of precursors for yttrium aluminum garnet

Precursor powders for yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) were synthesized by solution combustion reactions (nitrate–glycine reaction with stoichiometric and sub-stoichiometric amount of fuel) and simple decomposition of nitrate solution. The TG-DTA, FTIR and XRD analyses of the precursors and the typical heat-treated samples were carried out to understand the processes occurring at various stages during heating to obtain phase pure YAG. Precursors from all the reactions exhibited dehydration of adsorbed moisture in the temperature range of 30 to 300°C. The precursor from nitrate–glycine reaction with stoichiometric amount of fuel (precursor- A) contained entrapped oxides of carbon (CO and CO₂) and a carbonaceous contaminant. It exhibited burning away of the carbonaceous contaminant and crystallization to pure YAG accompanied by loss of oxides of carbon in the temperature ranges of 400 to 600 and 880 to 1050°C. The precursor from simple decomposition of nitrates (precursor-B) exhibited denitration cum dehydroxylation and crystallization in the temperature ranges of 300 to 600 and 850 to 1050°C. The precursor from nitrate–glycine reaction with sub-stoichiometric amount of fuel (precursor-C) contained entrapped carbon dioxide and exhibited its release during crystallization in the temperature range of 850 to 1050°C. This study established that, in case of metal nitrate–glycine combustion reactions, crystalline YAG formation occurs from an amorphous compound with entrapped oxides of carbon. In case of simple decomposition of metal nitrates, formation of crystalline YAG occurs from an amorphous oxide intermediate.     

Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of some aventurine decorative glaze

Thermal and structural properties of three clays (sepiolite and two kaolinites) from Turkey were studied by thermal analysis (TG–DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and surface area measurement techniques The adsorption of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas by these clays was also investigated. SO₂ adsorption values of K1, K2, and S clay samples were measured at 20 °C and pressures up to 106 kPa. Sepiolite sample (S) primarily consists of pure sepiolite, only dolomite present as accompanying mineral. Both kaolinite samples, K1 and K2, mainly contain kaolinite as the major clay mineral and quartz as impurity. In K2 sample, muscovite phase is also present. Simultaneous TG–DTA curves of all clay samples were obtained at three different heating rates 10, 15, and 20 °C min⁻¹ over the temperature range 30–1200 °C. It was found that the retention value of SO₂ by S clay (2.744 mmol/g) was higher than those of K1 (0.144 mmol/g) and K2 (0.164 mmol/g) samples.     

Low temperature sintering study of nanosized Mn–Zn ferrites synthesized by sol–gel auto combustion process

The objective of present research was to sinter nanosized Mn–Zn ferrites (MZF) at low temperature (≤1,000 °C) by avoiding the formation of nonmagnetic phase (hematite). For this purpose, MZF powder was synthesized by sol–gel auto combustion process at 220 °C and further calcined at 450 °C. In calcined powder, single phase (spinel) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Pellets were pressed, having 43% of the theoretical density and showing 47 emu gm⁻¹ saturation magnetization (M _s). Various combinations of heating rate, dwelling time and gaseous environment were employed to meet optimum sintering conditions at low temperature (≤1,000 °C). It was observed that sintering under air or N₂ alone had failed to prevent the formation of nonmagnetic (hematite) phase. However, hematite phase can be suppressed by retaining the green compacts at 1,000 °C for 180 min in air then further kept for 120 min in nitrogen. Under these conditions, spinel phase (comprising of nano crystallites), 90% of theoretical density and 102 emu gm⁻¹ of saturation magnetization has been achieved.     

Thermo-kinetics study of orange peel in air

Thermal degradation of orange peel was studied in dynamic air atmosphere by means of simultaneous TG-DSC and TG-FTIR analysis. According to the obtained thermal profiles, the orange peel degradation occurred in at least three steps associated with its three main components (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin). The volatiles compounds evolved out at 150–400 °C and the gas products were mainly CO₂, CO, and CH₄. A mixture of acids, aldehydes or ketones C=O, alkanes C–C, ethers C–O–C and H₂O was also detected. The E _α on α dependence reveled the existence of different and simultaneous processes suggesting that the combustion reaction is controlled by oxygen accessibility, motivated by the high evolution low-molecular-mass gases and volatile organic compounds. These results could explain the non-autocatalytic character of the reactions during the decomposition process.     

Nonisothermal decomposition kinetics of [CoC<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>·2.5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The authors present their results concerning the decomposition in air of the homopolynuclear coordination compound [CoC₂O₄·2.5H₂O] _n . In the temperature range 20–300 °C, the heating curves TG, DTG and DTA allowed to evidence three decomposition steps. The kinetic analysis was performed on the second step which proved to be the only workable one. The application of nonlinear regression procedure shows that this is a complex process consisting in three successive steps. The checking of the mechanism and corresponding kinetic parameters for quasi-isothermal data (T = 150 °C) shows that the obtained results could be used for prediction of the thermal behaviour of the investigated compound in both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions.     

Eu,Dy co-doped SrAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> phosphors prepared by sol–gel-combustion processing

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ powders were synthesized by sol–gel–combustion process using metal nitrates as the source of metal ions and citric acid as a chelating agent of metal ions. The amounts of citric acid in mole were two times those of the metal ions. By tracing the formation process of the sol–gel, it is found that decreasing the amount of NO₃ ⁻ in the solution is necessary for the formation of transparent sol and gel, and the dropping of ethanol into the precursor solution can decrease the amount of NO₃ ⁻ in the solution. By combusting citrate sol at 600 °C, followed by heating the resultant combustion ash at 1,100–1,300 °C in a weak reductive atmosphere containing active carbon, SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺ phosphors can prepared. X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometer were used to investigate the formation process and luminescent properties of the as-synthesized SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺, Dy³⁺. The results reveal that the SrAl₂O₄ crystallizes completely when the combustion ash was sintered at 1,200–1,300 °C. The excitation and emission spectra indicate that excitation broadband mainly lies in a visible range and the phosphors emit strong light at 510 nm under the excitation of 348 nm. The afterglow of phosphors lasts for over 10 h when the excited source is cut off.     

A thermogravimetic kinetic study of uncatalyzed diesel soot oxidation

Isothermal and non-isothermal thermogravimetric experiments (TG) with real and synthetic (Printex U) soot were performed at different O₂ concentrations (5–22%O₂/N₂), sample masses (0.5–10 mg), heating (5–20 °C min⁻¹) and flow rates (80–100 mL min⁻¹). The significance of the experimental and calculation uncertainties (i.e. experimental parameter dependencies, calculation method and mass transfer limitations), which are related to TG for the extraction of chemical kinetics, was explored. Finally, an intrinsic kinetic equation for soot oxidation is proposed.     

Thermal analysis kinetics applied to flame retardant polycarbonate

The degradation kinetics of polycarbonate with flame retardant additive was investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis. The samples were heated from 30 to 900°C in nitrogen atmosphere, with three different heating rates: 5, 10 and 20°C min^–1. The Vyazovkin model-free kinetics method was applied to calculate the activation energy (E _a) of the degradation process as a function of conversion and temperature. The results indicated that the polycarbonate without flame retardant additive starts to loose mass slightly over 380°C and the polycarbonate with flame retardant additive, slightly over 390°C (with heating rate of 5°C min^–1). The activation energy for flame retardant polycarbonate and normal polycarbonate were 190 and 165 kJ mol^–1, respectively.     

Structural and thermal properties of rare earth complexes with 2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid

Rare earth complexes with 2,2′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid (diphenic acid = H₂dpa) were obtained as hydrated precipitates of the general formula Ln₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)₃∙nH₂O, where n = 3 for the of Y(III) and Ce(III)–Er(III) and n = 6 for La(III), Tm(III), Yb(III) and Lu(III) complexes. On heating in air atmosphere complexes lose all water molecules in the temperature range 30–210 °C in one step and form anhydrous compounds, which are stable up to 315–370 °C. During further heating they decompose to oxides. The trihydrated compounds are crystalline powders whereas the hexahydrated are amorphous solids. The trihydrated complexes crystallize in the monoclinic (Pr(III) and Ce(III) complexes) and triclinic (Y(III) and Nd(III)–Er(III) complexes) crystal systems.     

Study on the combustion kinetic characteristics of biomass tar under catalysts

TG and DTA experiments were performed to investigate the biomass tar combustion behavior in coexistence of dolomite and mayenite at two different heating rates as 5 and 15°C min⁻¹. Different reaction kinetic mechanisms with the classical Arrhenius model were used to treat TG data, and showed that the first-order combustion model fitted the data well. Three stages combustion model was proposed and applied for the calculation of kinetics parameters successfully. The starting temperature of high temperature combustion stage moved up near 100°C because of the coexistence catalysts, and the combustion amount of biomass of the stage also improved nearly 10 mass%. By calculation a uniform trend of decreasing activation energies was observed with the addition of dolomite and mayenite, and also greatly improved the amount and speed of tar combustion process.     

Thermal behavior of verapamil in pure and in solid dosage forms

Verapamil is a phenyl-alchil-amine type pharmaceutical largely used as a specific calcium antagonist. Knowledge of drug-excipient compatibility represents an important phase in development of different dosage forms. Hyphenated techniques are versatile for obtaining such necessary information’s. The TG/DTG/DTA curves were obtained in air at different heating rates and in nitrogen. The IR spectra of pure compound and its char at 400 °C (by U-ATR technique) and the IR identification of Evolved Gasses allowed some discussions on the thermally induced events. In the solid dosage forms verapamil was mixed with talc, magnesium stearate, starch, and cellulose, and the corresponding thermoanalytical curves were compared with that one of pure I. No physical or chemical interactions were observed till 250 °C. A kinetic analysis was performed for TG step of verapamil between 250 and 350 °C. The data at four heating rates (7, 10, 12, 15 °C min⁻¹) were processed on a strategy using at last three different kinetic methods. For these, the NPK method seems to be less speculative, allowing an objective determination of the kinetic parameters.     

Thermal behavior of drugs

Data on the thermal stability of drugs was required to obtain information for handling, storage, shelf life and usage. In this study, the thermal stability of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and simultaneous thermogravimetery/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) techniques. The results of TG analysis revealed that the main thermal degradation for the naproxen and celecoxib occurs in the temperature ranges of 196–300 and 245–359 °C, respectively. The TG/DTA analysis of compounds indicates that naproxen melts (at about 158.1 °C) before it decomposes. However, the thermal decomposition of the celecoxib started about 185 °C after its melting. The influence of the heating rate (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C min⁻¹) on the DSC behavior of the both drug samples was verified. The results showed that, as the heating rate was increased, decomposition temperatures of the compounds were increased. Also, the kinetic parameters such as activation energy and frequency factor for the compounds were obtained from the DSC data by non-isothermal methods proposed by ASTM E696 and Ozawa. Based on the values of activation energy obtained by various methods, the following order for the thermal stability was noticed: naproxen > celecoxib. Finally, the values of ΔS ^#, ΔH ^#, and ΔG ^# of their decomposition reaction were calculated.