Thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis of the decomposition of solid recovered fuel from municipal solid waste

The thermal decomposition of a solid recovered fuel has been studied using thermogravimetry, in order to get information about the main steps in the decomposition of such material. The study comprises two different atmospheres: inert and oxidative. The kinetics of decomposition is determined at three different heating rates using the same kinetic constants and model for both atmospheres at all the heating rates simultaneously. A good correlation of the TG data is obtained using three nth-order parallel reactions.     

Kinetics of pyrolysis and combustion of pine needles and cones

A wide kinetic study has been carried out under different conditions in TG and TG–MS for each material, at different operating conditions. Runs were carried out at three different atmospheres: N₂, N₂:O₂ 4:1 and N₂:O₂ 9:1. In addition to the dynamic runs carried out at constant heating rate, other runs were performed in an isothermal regime (constant heating rate until the set temperature is reached and then the set temperature is maintained constant).In addition, a study of the thermal decomposition for both materials was also carried out in a dynamic run using TG–MS in order to observe the evolution of the major compounds and to discuss the information that could be obtained.From the overall analysis of the data, schemes of reactions and kinetic values were calculated by integration of the differential equations and minimizing the squared differences between the experimental and calculated values. It is important to emphasise that the same set of parameters is proposed for the runs for each material, and depends on neither the heating rate in dynamic runs nor whether the run is carried out in a dynamic or isothermal mode.     

Studies on multistep thermal decomposition behavior of polytriazole polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran elastomer

Polytriazole polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran (PTPET) is an energetic propellant elastomer that is prepared using glycidyl azide polymer and trifunctional alkynyl‐terminated polyethylene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran. Its thermal decomposition, determined using thermogravimetic analysis, showed two mass‐loss peaks largely related to the decomposition of azide groups and the main chain. Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa and Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose methods were deployed to obtain kinetic triplet parameters of PTPET thermal decomposition by the traditional model‐free method; the Coats‐Redfern approach was used as the model‐fitting method. Kinetics analysis indicated that the mechanism of the two‐step reactions were the primary‐reaction of first order and the power‐law phase reaction of the 2/3 order. The first decomposition stage of PTPET had an activation energy (E_a) of 113 to 116 kJ/mol while the second was 196 to 210 kJ/mol. The thermal decomposition of PTPET with different heating rates and mechanisms showed good kinetic compensation effects, the gas products being further studied with TG‐FTIR.     

Thermal behaviour studies of procaine and benzocaine

The analysed substances, procaine and benzocaine, are two anaesthetic agents currently being administered in tablet form, also in the topical (cream, gel, balm) and injectable dosage forms. The TG/DTG/DTA curves were obtained in air at different heating rates. For determination of the heat effects, the DTA curves (in μV) were changed with the heat flow curves (in mW), so that the peak area corresponds to an energy in J g^?1 or kJ mol^?1. The non-isothermal experiments are preformed to investigate the thermal degradation process of these active substances, both as a solid and are performed in a dynamic atmosphere of air at different heating rates, by heating from room temperature to 500 °C. The kinetic analysis was performed using the TG data in air for the first step of substance’s decomposition at four heating rates: 7, 10, 12 and 15 °C min^?1. The data were processed according to an appropriate strategy to the following kinetic methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Friedman and NPK, to obtain realistic kinetic parameters, even if the decomposition process is a complex one. Thermal analysis was supplemented using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with the TG device to identify the anaesthetics with any products which may have formed (EGA—the evolved gas analysis).     

Kinetic study of the pyrolysis and combustion of tomato plant

A kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of tomato plant has been carried out under different conditions by TG and TG–MS. A total of 24 experiments were performed in a nitrogen atmosphere (pyrolysis runs) and also in an oxidative atmosphere with two different oxygen concentrations (10% and 20% oxygen in nitrogen). Dynamic runs and dynamic + isothermal runs have been carried out to obtain many data of decomposition under different operating conditions.A scheme of five independent reactions for pseudocomponents has been proposed for the pyrolysis process, although only three fractions have probed to be significant, comparing the weight fractions of volatiles evolved with the hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin content of the plant. For the combustion runs, four new reactions have been added: two competitive oxidation reactions for the cellulose and lignin, and two combustion reactions of the carbonaceous residue obtained from pyrolysis. The kinetic parametres have been calculated by integration of the differential equations and minimizing the differences between the experimental and calculated values. It is important to emphasize that the same set of parameters has been proposed for the pyrolysis and combustion runs, and which do not depend on either the heating rate in dynamic runs or whether the run is carried out in a dynamic or isothermal mode. The influence of the oxygen pressure has been also discussed.     

Thermal decomposition kinetics of potassium iodate

The thermal decomposition of potassium iodate (KIO₃) has been studied by both non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetry (TG). The non-isothermal simultaneous TG–differential thermal analysis (DTA) of the thermal decomposition of KIO₃ was carried out in nitrogen atmosphere at different heating rates. The isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was studied using TG at different temperatures in the range 790–805 K in nitrogen atmosphere. The theoretical and experimental mass loss data are in good agreement for the thermal decomposition of KIO₃. The non-isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was subjected to kinetic analyses by model-free approach, which is based on the isoconversional principle. The isothermal decomposition of KIO₃ was subjected to both conventional (model fitting) and model-free (isoconversional) methods. It has been observed that the activation energy values obtained from all these methods agree well. Isothermal model fitting analysis shows that the thermal decomposition kinetics of KIO₃ can be best described by the contracting cube equation.     

Thermal stability of ketoprofen��active substance and tablets

Simultaneous thermoanalytical techniques were used for the characterization of the thermal decomposition of ketoprofen??active substance and tablets. DTA and DSC curves showed that ketoprofen melts before the decomposition. A kinetic study regarding the ketoprofen??active substance??s thermal decomposition was performed under non-isothermal conditions and in a nitrogen atmosphere at five heating rates: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 °C min^?1. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition process were obtained from TG/DTG curves using the following differential methods: Friedman isoconversional, Chang, respectively, integral methods: Flynn?CWall?COzawa, Kissinger?CAkahira?CSunose, Coats?CRedfern and Madhusudanan. The careful treatment of the kinetic parameters obtained in certain thermal conditions was confirmed to be necessary as well as a different strategy of experimental data processing.     

Kinetic model of the decomposition of a PET fibre cloth in an inert and air environment

The kinetics of the global thermal decomposition of a PET fibre cloth have been studied in three different atmospheres with nitrogen, 20 and 10% oxygen, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) between room temperature and 1050 K. Three different heating rates were used at each atmosphere condition. Moreover, several isothermal experiments in nitrogen and 20% oxygen have been carried out. For the pyrolysis of an old PET fibre cloth, the kinetic model comprises three independent reactions. The combustion kinetic model considers that pyrolysis of two fractions of the initial material occurs regardless of the oxygen concentration and then a combustion of the forming char and the third fraction starts. One set of parameters can explain all the isothermal and dynamic experiments at the three different heating rates used.     

Thermal behavior of Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> phenyl-vinyl-phosphonates under non-isothermal condition

The thermal behavior of Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺ phenyl-vinyl-phosphonates was studied using two different experimental strategies: the coupled TG-EGA (FTIR) technique by decomposition in nitrogen respectively air, and the kinetic analysis of TG data obtained in dynamic air atmosphere at four heating rates. In nitrogen two decomposition steps were observed: the loss of crystallization water, respectively the decomposition of the phenyl-vinyl radical. In air, the same dehydration was observed as the first step, but the second one is a thermooxidation of the organic radical with formation of the pyrophosphoric anion. The kinetic analysis of the TG non-isothermal data was performed by the isoconversional methods suggested by Friedman and Flynn, Wall and Ozawa, as well as by the non-parametric (Sempere-Nomen) method. All processes put in evidence in TG curves exhibit strong changes of the activation energy values with the conversion degree, which mean that these processes are complex ones. Assuming that each of these processes consists in two steps, the application of non-parametric method leads to average values of the activation energy close to the average values of this parameter obtained by isoconversional methods.     

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants in the presence of amide burning rate suppressants

The employment of burning rate suppressants in the solid rocket propellant formulation is long known. Different research activities have been conducted to well understand the mechanism of suppression, but literature about the action of oxamide (OXA) and azodicarbonamide (ADA) on the thermal decomposition of composite propellant is still scarce. The focus of this study is on investigating the effect of burning rate suppressants on the thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis have been used to identify the changes in the thermal and kinetic behaviors of coolant-based propellants. Two main decomposition stages were observed. It was found that OXA played an inhibition effect on both stages, whereas the ADA acts as a catalyst in the first stage and as coolant in the second one. The activation energy dependent on the conversion rate was estimated by two model-free integral methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) based on the TG data obtained at different heating rates. The mechanism of action of coolants on the decomposition of solid propellants was confirmed by the kinetic investigation as well.     

Thermal decomposition of meat and bone meal

A series of runs has been performed to study the thermal behavior of meat and bone meal (MBM) both in inert and reactive atmosphere. Although they are actually burned, the thermal decomposition of such MBM wastes has not been studied from a scientific point of view until now. The aim of this work is to present and discuss the thermogravimetric behavior of MBM both in nitrogen and air atmospheres. A thermobalance has been used to carry out the study at three different heating rates. A kinetic scheme able to correlate simultaneously (with no variation of the kinetic constants) the runs performed at different heating rates and different atmospheres of reaction is presented.     

Kinetics of tetrabromobisphenol A pyrolysis. Comparison between correlation and mechanistic models

Brominated flame retardants are well recognized as being highly effective flame retardants. 4-4′-Isopropylidenebis(2,6-dibromophenol), commonly known as tetrabromobisphenol A, is the brominated flame retardant with the largest production volume and is used to improve fire safety, mainly of laminates in electrical and electronic equipment. A kinetic study of the pyrolysis of TBBA has been carried out to obtain decomposition parameters under different operating conditions and taking into account that TBBA is a compound with a high boiling point and that vaporization occurs simultaneously to decomposition. Dynamic runs and dynamic + isothermal run at different heating rates and using different masses of sample were correlated simultaneously. All TG runs were fitted with a unique set of kinetic parameters that is able to explain all the experiments. Moreover, a simplified detailed kinetic model has been developed and the kinetic parameters obtained satisfactorily reproduce the thermal decomposition of TBBA.     

Thermal behaviour and kinetic study of some triazoles as potential anti-inflammatory agents

Thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry had been used to characterize the thermal stability of four new heterocyclic compounds with triazolic structure. The four analysed compounds have similar thermal behaviours, namely the thermal mal curves of these new compounds show three thermal events. These compounds were thermally stable up to 110 °C. Above this temperature, the evolution of hydrochloric acid took place as observed by EGA. Identification and the monitoring of gaseous species released during thermal decomposition of pure triazoles in air atmosphere have been carried out by coupled TG–FTIR. Between 110 and 220 °C the main gaseous product is HCl which was identified on the basis of these FTIR spectra. Arguments for a rapid thermooxidation of the four molecules were brought by EGA by identifying the substances which arise from both the destruction of side chains and of triazolic ring. The kinetic analysis of the destruction process of triazolic structure was investigated using the TG data in air for the substance’s decomposition in non-isothermal conditions. The isoconversional methods, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Friedman, were applied to determine the activation energy from the analysis of four curves measured at different heating rates. In order to obtain realistic kinetic parameters, even if the decomposition process is a complex one, the non-parametric kinetics method was also used. A good agreement between the data obtained from the four applied methods was found.     

Kinetic Aspect of Thermal Decomposition of Natural Phosphate and its Kerogen. Influence of heating rate and mineral matter

The natural phosphate and its demineralization products from Moroccan deposit were pyrolysed in a thermogravimetric analyser (TG) to examine the influence of the heating rate and mineral matter on their thermal decomposition. The heating rates investigated in the TG were 5–100°C min⁻¹ to final temperature of 1200°C. The integral method was used in the analysis of the TG to determine the kinetic parameters. It has been found that for the natural phosphate and corresponding kerogen analysed in the TG, the increase of the heating rate shifts the maximum rate loss to higher temperature. A first order reaction was found to be adequate for pyrolysis in the range 150–600°C which was attributed to kerogen decomposition. In addition, the results indicate that the removal of mineral matter affected the kinetic parameters found for kerogen in the natural phosphate. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of kinetic parameters in TG and DSC by means of direct overall evaluation of simple and complex reactions

For kinetic evaluation by TG and DSC of simple and complex reactions we used a direct fit on the basis of TG differential equations and DSC non-linear equations. The advantages of an overall evaluation, i.e. the simultaneous inclusion of all data sets at different heating rates, are described. TG and DSC measurements of the dehydration of calcium oxalate monohydrate and the decomposition of calcium oxalate are used as examples.     

Study of the thermal behavior of Al(III) and In(III)-diclofenac complexes in solid state

The Al and In-diclofenac compounds were prepared. Thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction powder patterns were used to characterize these compounds. Details concerning the dehydration and thermal decomposition as well as data of kinetic parameters have been described here. The kinetic studies of these stages were evaluated from several heating rates with mass sample of 2 and 5 mg in open crucibles under nitrogen atmosphere. The results of the present study improve the knowledge on these compounds including their dehydration and thermal stability. The obtained data leads to a dependence on the sample mass, which results in two kinetic behavior patterns.     

Coupled thermogravimetric-IR techniques and kinetic analysis by non-isothermal decomposition of Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript> vinyl-phosphonates

The thermal behavior of Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺ vinyl-phosphonates was studied using two different experimental strategies: the coupled TG–EGA (FTIR) technique by decomposition in nitrogen, respectively, air, and the kinetic analysis of TG data obtained in dynamic air atmosphere at four heating rates. The both compounds exhibited a good thermal stability: in nitrogen, only an endothermic dehydration step was observed. In air the Cd²⁺ salt presents the same dehydration step whereas by the Co²⁺ salt two simultaneous processes take place dehydration, respectively, thermooxidative destruction of the vinyl group. The kinetic analysis of the TG data was performed with the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, Friedman’s, and modified non-parametric kinetic methods. By means of the coupled techniques, some spectroscopic arguments on the reaction mechanism were obtained. The values of the activation energy by the three methods are in good agreement and support the two different suggested mechanism.     

Kinetic studies on the thermal decomposition of phosphate-doped sodium oxalate

The thermal decomposition kinetics of sodium oxalate (Na₂C₂O₄) has been studied as a function of concentration of dopant, phosphate, at five different temperatures in the range 783–803 K under isothermal conditions by thermogravimetry (TG). The TG data were subjected to both model-fitting and model-free kinetic methods of analysis. The model-fitting analysis of the TG data of all the samples shows that no single kinetic model describes the whole α versus t curve with a single rate constant throughout the decomposition reaction. Separate kinetic analysis shows that Prout–Tompkins model best describes the acceleratory stage of the decomposition, while the decay region is best fitted with the contracting cylinder model. Activation energy values were evaluated by both model-fitting and model-free kinetic methods. The observed results favour a diffusion-controlled mechanism for the thermal decomposition of sodium oxalate.     

Application of programmed temperature decomposition to the study of solid decomposition reactions taking place through the prout and tompkins mechanism

A method has been developed to allow kinetic analysis of the Prout and Tompkins mechanism of solid decomposition reactions using a single TG diagram obtained in a linear heating program. On the other hand, provided that the nickel formate decomposition follows such a mechanism, this reaction has been used for checking the kinetic equation obtained.