Thermogravimetric analysis of co-combustion of biomass and biochar

The co-combustion of biomass and biochar was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Several thermal parameters and mean reactivity index (R _M) for different blends were used to evaluate co-combustion features. As the biomass content increased from 30 to 90 mass%, volatile releasing temperature (T _v), burnout temperature (T _b), and the temperature at the maximal peak (T _max) generally reduced, while average mass loss rates (R _a) and R _M increased, the maximum mass loss rate (R _max) initially decreased and then increased. Results showed that biochar additions enhanced biomass fuel reactivity over weighted average in main combustion region. Besides, blends with 10–30 mass% of biochar behaved better than those with higher biochar ratio. Synergy exists between the two components and better combustibility is feasible by co-firing biochar with biomass.     

Thermal analysis of kerosene with 1,2-methyl ethyl 1-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide as an additive

This paper reports the thermal characterization of kerosene fuel-doped ionic liquid (1, 2-methylethyl 1-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide) (MEMP TFSA), an antistatic additive used in jet fuel engines. The ionic liquids (ILs) samples are prepared with the mass of 5, 10 and 15% in the kerosene fuel. These fuel samples are subjected to thermal decomposition studies at different scanning rates of 5, 10 and 15 °C min^?1 using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. The onset temperatures of exothermic reactions of kerosene-doped ILs are increased from 360–465 °C, when the mass percentage of ILs increased in the kerosene fuel. The boiling point of the kerosene-doped ILs was displaced to the higher temperature when compared to the pure kerosene. This showed that the doping of antistatic additives of ILs with kerosene increased its thermal stability property than the pure kerosene fuel. The thermo-kinetic studies are also carried out using Ozawa’s Kinetic method to determine the activation energy (E_a) and pre-exponential factor (A). The FTIR analysis showed that the kerosene-doped ionic liquid forms a homogenous mixture rather than prevailing separately.

     

Nanostructuration Effect on the Thermal Behavior of Ionic Liquids

This work shows how the nanostructuration of ionic liquids (ILs) governs the glass and melting transitions of the bistriflimide imidazolium‐based [C_nC₁im][NTf₂] and [C_nC_nim][NTf₂] series, which highlights the trend shift that occurs at the critical alkyl size (CAS) of n=6. An initial increase in the glass temperature (T_g) with an increase in the alkyl side chain was observed due to the intensification of the dispersive interactions (van der Waals). Above the CAS, the ?CH₂? increment has the same effect in both glass and liquid states, which leads to a plateau in the glass transition after nanostructuration. The melting temperature (T_m) of the [C_nC₁im][NTf₂] and [C_nC_nim][NTf₂] series presents a V‐shaped profile. For the short‐alkyl ILs, the ?CH₂? increment affects the electrostatic ion pair interactions, which leads to an increase in the conformational entropy. The ?CH₂? increment disturbs the packing ability of the ILs and leads to a higher entropy value ( ) and consequently a decrease in T_m. Above the CAS, the ?CH₂? contribution to the melting temperature becomes more regular, as a consequence of the nanostructuration of the IL into polar and nonpolar domains. The dependence of the alkyl chain on the temperature, enthalpy, and entropy of melting in the ILs above the CAS is very similar to the one observed for the alkane series, which highlights the importance of the nonpolar alkyl domains on the ILs thermal behavior.     

Lamellar thickening in nascent poly(acrylonitrile) upon annealing

No systematic study has been reported on the lamellar thickening in atactic poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) upon annealing because PAN, in the form of solution‐cast films or their drawn products, generally shows no small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) maximum corresponding to the lamellar thickness. In this work, PAN crystals were precipitated during the thermal polymerization of acrylonitrile in solution. The nascent PAN film, obtained by the filtration of the crystal suspension, exhibited a clear SAXS maximum revealing the lamellar structure. The lamellar thickening upon annealing of the nascent PAN films was studied in the temperature range 100–180 °C, where the degradation was minimal, as confirmed by the absence of an IR absorption band at 1605 cm⁻¹ ascribed to the cyclized nitrile groups. Above 190 °C, the degradation of the samples was significant, and the SAXS became too broad to determine the scattering maximum. The long period was significantly affected by the annealing time (t_a) and the temperature (T_a). Depending on t_a, three stages were observed for the lamellar thickening behavior. The lamellar thickness stayed constant in stage I (t_a = 0.5–3 min, depending on T_a), rapidly increased in stage II (t_a = 0.5–8 min), and stayed at a constant value characteristic for each T_a at yet longer t_a's in stage III. The lamellar thickness characteristic for T_a increased rapidly with increasing T_a at 165 °C (or higher), which was 152 °C lower than the estimated melting temperature of PAN (T_m = 317 °C). A possible mechanism for such lamellar thickening in PAN far below the T_m is discussed on the basis of the enhanced chain mobility in the crystalline phase above the crystal/crystal reversible transition at 165–170 °C detected by differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The structural changes associated with annealing are also discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2571–2579, 2000     

Estimates of Internal Pressure and Molar Refraction of Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids as a Function of Temperature

Estimates of the internal pressure (∂ U/∂ V) _T of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄], 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF₆], and 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [OMIM][BF₄] were made from experimentally determined densities and speeds of sound in the temperature range 283.15 to 343.15 K. Values (∂ U/∂ V) _T for all the ILs studied are higher than those of water and molecular organic liquids. We also measured the refractive indices n _D in the temperature range 288.15 to 343.15 K and estimated the molar refraction R _M. Refractive indices of ILs were also higher than those of normal organic liquids but were comparable to those of long hydrocarbon chain organic solvents.     

Self‐assembly and lower critical solution temperature properties of supramolecular block copolymer/ionic liquid complexes depending on the alkyl chain length of imidazolium rings

We report the liquid crystalline (LC) assembly and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) properties of wedge‐shaped block copolymer (BCP)/1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C_nMIM][BF₄], n = 2, 4, 6) complexes ( 1 – 3 ) depending on the alkyl chain length of the ionic liquids (ILs). In contrast to the crystalline BCP, all of the ionic samples showed LC phases. 1 with [C₂MIM][BF₄] exhibited a hexagonal columnar phase, and 3 with [C₆MIM][BF₄] exhibited a gyroid phase. Interestingly, a temperature‐dependent transformation from columnar phase to gyroid phase was revealed for 2 with [C₄MIM][BF₄]. The phase difference may be explained by the supramolecular shape change that was dependent on the alkyl chain length of the ILs. The LCST behavior was characterized using the differential scanning calorimetry, turbidity observations, and the X‐ray diffraction techniques. Notably, the primary d‐spacing began to decrease at the clouding temperature (T_c). 3 showed the highest T_c at 130 °C, which is greater than the temperature of the order‐to‐disorder transition. The results demonstrate that the subtle variation in the IL structure affects the morphological and LCST properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3587–3596     

Thermal properties of post-consumer PET processed in presence of phosphites

Thermal properties of recycled triphenylphosphite (TPP) chain extended poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was investigated. As the TPP concentration increases, both reaction residues and molecular mass increase affecting significantly the thermal properties and crystallization behavior of the material. The presence of TPP residues did not affect the crystalline melt temperature (T _m), but modified the glass transition temperature (T _g), the crystallization temperature on heating (T _hc) and the crystallization temperature on cooling (T _cc). In the samples submitted to extraction with acetone, the properties were influenced by molecular mass changes, probably due to the presence of some insoluble reaction residue. The thermal stability of the sample purified by extraction after chain extension was comparable to that of the non-extended sample when heating was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation of the Role of Ionic Liquids in Tuning the p<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis><Subscript>a</Subscript> Values of Some Anionic Indicators

The effect of imidazolium-based ionic liquids, ([C₁₂mim][Cl] and [C₈mim][Cl]), on the acid-base equilibria of two sulfonated indicators has been studied. The presence of ILs leads to decreased pK _a values because of the stronger electrostatic interaction of cationic ILs with the basic forms of the indicators with more negative charge. The longer alkyl side chain of [C₁₂mim][Cl] compared to [C₈mim][Cl] results in stronger hydrophobic interaction of this IL with the basic forms of the dyes leading to a more effective decrease in the pK _a values. Also, the transition points and transition intervals of the acid-base titration curves of the indicators were affected by the presence of ILs. It was found that the IL interaction with acid-base indicators also results in sharpening the acid-base titration curves of the indicators. From these observations, it is concluded that the presence of ILs can tune the pK _a values of indicators. All the experiments were performed spectrophotometrically and the results were obtained using curve fitting methods.     

Reactivity in the solid-state between ZnWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and some rare-earth metal molybdates RE<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>6</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">RE</Emphasis>=Y,Sm, Eu,Gd, Dy,Ho, Er and Lu)

Organic peroxides (OPs) have caused many momentous explosions and runaway reactions, resulting from thermal instability, chemical pollutants, and even mechanical shock. In Taiwan, dicumyl peroxide (DCPO), due to its unstable reactive nature, has caused two thermal explosions and runaway reaction incidents in the manufacturing process. To evaluate thermal hazards of DCPO in a batch reactor, we studied thermokinetic parameters, such as heat of decomposition (†H _d), exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature rise ((dT/dt)_max), maximum pressure rise ((dP/dt)_max), self-heating rate (dT/dt), etc., via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2).     

Supramolecular Ionic‐Liquid Gels with High Ionic Conductivity

Supramolecular ionogels were prepared by the gelation of room‐temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF₄]) with (S,S)‐bis(leucinol)oxalamide. Remarkably, the ionic conductivity of solutions and ionogels with low gelator concentrations is higher than that of neat [BMIm][BF₄]. On the basis of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations, the origin of this phenomenon is attributed to the higher affinity of gelator molecules towards [BF₄]^? ions, which reduces the electrostatic attraction between [BMIm]⁺ and [BF₄]^? and thus increases their mobility. With increasing gelator concentration, the ionic conductivity decreases due to the formation of a denser gelator matrix, which hinders the pathways for ionic transport. However, even for very dense ionogels, this decrease is less than one order of magnitude relative to neat [BMIm][BF₄], and thus they can be classified as highly conductive materials with strong potential for application as functional electrolytes.     

Evaluating the Thermal Hazard of Double-Base Propellant SQ-2 by Using Microcalorimetry Method

The thermal decomposition behavior of double‐base rocket propellant SQ‐2 was studied by a Calvet microcalorimeter at four different heating rates. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were obtained from the analysis of the heat flow curves. The critical temperature of thermal explosion (T_b), the self acceleration decomposition temperature (T_SADT), the adiabatic decomposition temperature rise (ΔT_ad), the time‐to‐explosion of adiabatic system (t), critical temperature of hot‐spot initiation (T_cr), critical thermal explosion ambient temperature (T_acr), safety degree (SD) and thermal explosive probability (P_TE) were presented to evaluate the thermal hazard of SQ‐2.     

Explosion evaluation and safety storage analyses of cumene hydroperoxide using various calorimeters

Plenty of thermal explosions and runaway reactions of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) were described from 1981 to 2010 in Taiwan. Therefore, a thermal explosion accident of CHP in oxidation tower in 2010 in Taiwan was investigated because of piping breakage. In general, high concentration of CHP for thermal analysis using the calorimeter is dangerous. Therefore, a simulation method and a kinetic parameter were used to simulate thermal hazard of high concentrations of CHP only by the researcher. This study was applied to evaluate thermal hazard and to analyze storage parameters of 80 and 88 mass% CHP using three calorimeters for the oxidation tower, transportation, and 50-gallon drum. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (a non-isothermal calorimeter), thermal activity monitor III (TAM III) (an isothermal calorimeter), and vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) (an adiabatic calorimeter) were employed to detect the exothermic behavior and runaway reaction model of 80 and 88 mass% CHP. Exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), maximum temperature (T _max), time to maximum rate under isothermal condition (TMR_iso) (as an emergency response time), maximum pressure (P _max), maximum of self-heating rate ((dT/dt)_max), maximum of pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)_max), half-life time (t _1/2), reaction order (n), activation energy (E _a), frequency factor (A), etc., of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were applied to prevent thermal explosion and runaway reaction accident and to calculate the critical temperature (T _c). Experimental results displayed that the n of 80 and 88 mass% CHP was determined to be 0.5 and the E _a of 80 and 88 mass% CHP were evaluated to be 132 and 134 kJ mol^?1, respectively.     

Effects of cumene hydroperoxide on phenol and acetone manufacturing by DSC and VSP2

Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) being catalyzed by acid is one of the crucial processes for producing phenol and acetone globally. However, it is thermally unstable to the runaway reaction readily. In this study, various concentrations of phenol and acetone were added into CHP for determination of thermal hazards. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were used to obtain the parameters of exothermic behaviors under dynamic screening. The parameters included exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), and exothermic peak temperature (T _p). Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was employed to receive the maximum pressure (P _max), the maximum temperature (T _max), the self-heating rate (dT/dt), maximum pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)_max), and adiabatic time to maximum rate ((TMR)_ad) under the worst case. Finally, a procedure for predicting thermal hazard data was developed. The results revealed that phenol and acetone sharply caused a exothermic reaction of CHP. As a result, phenol and acetone are important indicators that may cause a thermal hazard in the manufacturing process.     

Synthesis of new aromatic polyamides containing α-amino phosphonate with high thermal stability and low heat release rate

The new aromatic polyamides containing α-amino phosphonate were synthesized from phosphorus-based dicarboxylic acid 4 and various aromatic diamines by direct polycondensation reaction. Dicarboxylic acid 4 was successfully synthesized from trimethyl phosphite, 4-aminobenzoic acid and terephthaldehyde via a three-component reaction. The polymerization reaction produced the polyamides 6a–f with high yield and desirable inherent viscosities. The thermal properties of the all samples were investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA results in N₂ exhibited the 10% mass loss temperatures (T₁₀) in the ranges of 324–345 °C, while the T₁₀ resulted from thermo-oxidative degradation were higher than those. The main data obtained by microscale combustion calorimetry revealed acceptable combustion properties such as very low peak of heat release rate for the synthesized polyamides 6a–f. The all of the results indicated that these polyamides can be potentially utilized as additive for improvement of thermal resistance and combustion behavior of thermoplastic materials.

     

Prediction of thermophysical properties of novel ionic liquids based on serine [Cnmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) using semiempirical methods

Two novel ionic liquids based on serine [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) were prepared by the neutralization method and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The density, surface tension, and refractive index of the two ILs were measured from T = (298.15 to 338.15) K. Since these ILs [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) could form strong hydrogen bonds with water, small amount of water in the ILs is difficult to removed by common methods. In order to eliminate the effect of trace of water, the standard addition method (SAM) was applied to these measurements. On the basis of the experimental data, the speed of sound (μ), thermal expansion coefficient (α), molecular volume (V_m), standard entropy (S⁰298), entropy of surface (S_a), energy of surface (E_a), parachor (P), molar polarization (R_m), and polarization coefficient (α_p) were calculated, and the relationship between each of these properties of [C_nmim][Ser] (n = 3, 4) and temperatures was discussed. According to the additivity, the average value of anionic parachor, P_−(ave), was 180.81 for [Ser]⁻. At the same time, the surface tension of these serine ionic liquids could be estimated from their parachor and refractive index. The estimated values of the surface tension and the corresponding experimental data were almost identical.     

Evaluation of adiabatic runaway reaction of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide by DSC and VSP2

Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) is generally applied to manufacturing in the polymerization processes. Due to thermal instability and high exothermic behaviors of MEKPO, if any operation is undertaken recklessly or some environmental effect is produced suddenly during the processes, fires and explosions may inevitably occur. In this study, thermal analysis was evaluated for MEKPO by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test. Vent sizing package 2 (VSP2) was used to analyze the thermal hazard of MEKPO under various stirring rates in a batch reactor. Thermokinetic and safety parameters, including exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature (T _max), maximum pressure (P _max), self-heating rate (dT dt ⁻¹), pressure rise rate (dP dt ⁻¹), and so on, were discovered to identify the safe handling situation. The stirring rates of reactor were confirmed to affect runaway and thermal hazard characteristics in the batch reactor. If the stirring rate was out of control, it could soon cause a thermal hazard in the reactor.     

2,2,2-三硝基乙基-N-硝基甲胺的热安全性

为评价2,2,2-三硝基乙基-N-硝基甲胺(TNMA)的热安全性, 得到计算TNMA热安全性参数用的基本数据, 用经验式估算了TNMA的比热容(C_p)和热导率(λ). 用键能贡献于生成热Q_f的加和法, 估算了TNMA的标准生成焓Δ_cH_m^θ(TNMA, s, 298.15 K). 用热力学公式计算了TNMA的标准燃烧焓ΔU_m^θ(TNMA, s, 298.15 K)和标准燃烧能Δ_cH_m^θ(TNMA, s, 298.15 K). 用Kamlet-Jacobs 公式估算了爆速、爆压和爆热. 用经验式估算了分解热(Q_d). 通过差示扫描量热(DSC)曲线和高灵敏度布鲁顿玻璃薄膜压力计测得的逸出气体标准体积(V_H)-时间(t)曲线, 得到了TNMA放热分解反应的动力学参数. 用上述基本数据得到了评价TNMA的热安全性参数: 自加速分解温度(T_SADT), 热爆炸临界温度(T_be0和T_bp0), 绝热至爆时间(t_TIad), 撞击感度50%落高(H₅₀), 热点起爆临界温度(T_cr), 被300 K环境包围的半厚和半径为1 m的无限大平板、无限长圆柱和球形TNMA的热感度概率密度函数S(T), 相应于S(T)-T关系曲线最大值的峰温(T_S(T)max), 安全度(SD), 临界热爆炸环境温度(T_acr)和热爆炸概率(P_TE). 结果表明: (1) TNMA有较好的热安全性和对热抵抗能力, 与环三亚甲基三硝胺(RDX)相比, TNMA易从热分解过渡到热爆炸; (2) 不同形状大药量TNMA 热安全性降低的次序为: 球>无限长圆柱>无限大平板; (3)TNMA有高的燃烧能、高的爆轰化学能(爆热)和接近环四亚甲基四硝胺(HMX)的爆炸性能, 其对冲击敏感, 冲击感度与季戊四醇四硝酸酯(PETN)和特屈尔接近, 可用作混合炸药主组分.     

Thermal properties of poly(lactic acid)/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Poly(lactic acid)/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation technique. Maleic anhydride-grafted ethylene propylene rubber (EPMgMA) was added into the PLA/OMMT in order to improve the compatibility and toughness of the nanocomposites. The samples were prepared by single screw extrusion followed by compression molding. The effect of OMMT and EPMgMA on the thermal properties of PLA was studied. The thermal properties of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites have been investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermo-gravimetry analyzer (TG). The melting temperature (T _m), glass transition temperature (T _g), crystallization temperature (T _c), degree of crystallinity (χ_c), and thermal stability of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites have been studied. It was found that the thermal properties of PLA were greatly influenced by the addition of OMMT and EPMgMA.     

Thermal properties of bio flour-filled polypropylene bio-composites with different pozzolan contents

In this study, the thermal properties of bio-flour-filled, polypropylene (PP) bio-composites with different pozzolan contents were investigated. With increasing pozzolan content, the thermal stability, 5% mass loss temperature and derivative thermogravimetric curve (DTG_max) temperatures of the bio-composites slightly increased. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and thermal expansion of the bio-composites decreased as the pozzolan content increased. The glass transition temperature (T _g), melting temperature (T _m) and percentage of crystallinity (X _c) of the bio-composites were not significantly changed. The thermal stability, thermal expansion and X _c of the maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAPP)-treated bio-composites were much higher than those of non-treated bio-composites at 1% pozzolan content due to enhanced interfacial adhesion. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystallinity of pozzolan-added bio-composites. From these results, we concluded that the addition of pozzolan in the bio-composites was an effective method for enhancing the thermal stability and thermal expansion.     

Thermal properties of polylactides

A thermal analysis of a series of polylactides (PLA) was carried out based on the number of average molecular mass (M _n), and the nature of isomer (D, L and DL). It is confirmed that the glass transition temperature (T _g) of PLA increased as a function of molecular mass irrespective of isomer type except sample with a high polydispersity index. The melting temperature (T _m) and enthalpy of crystal fusion (ΔH _f) of L-isomer increased as the M _n was increased from 1100 to 27500. The degree of crystallinity (χ_c%) increased as a function of molecular mass. However no crystallization peak was detected in the lower molecular mass range (550–1400). The non-isothermal crystallization behavior of the PLA melt was significantly influenced by the cooling rate. Both D and L isomers exhibited insignificant difference in thermal properties and DL lactides exhibited amorphous behavior at identical molecular masses. Change in microstructure showed significant difference between two isomers. Analysis of the FTIR spectra of these PLA samples in the range of 1200–1230 cm⁻¹ supported DSC observation on crystallinity.