| Abstract: | The effect of particle size, type of crucible, and heating rate on the thermal curves obtained simultaneously for CuSO4 · 5H2O were discussed. The dissociation steps were confirmed. Thermogravimetric techniques for determining the rate-controlling processes and kinetic parameters were applied for the dehydration steps and the calcination of CuSO4 and CuSO4 · CuO. For the dehydration of the monohydrate one mechanism operates but the activation energy and preexponential factor vary over wide ranges. Differentiating between various mechanisms using the same technique was sometimes difficult giving completely different values for the kinetic parameters. In view of such difficulties the various methods were assessed, the best techniques to treat similar results were recommended and the operating mechanisms and kinetic parameters for the various steps were thus established. |
