The role of char-forming processes in the thermal decomposition of cellulose

Ball, Rowena; McIntosh, Andy C.; Brindley, J.

doi:10.1039/a905867b

Cited by 49 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…What is clear though is that the involvement of water in hydrolysis reactions is crucial in determining the rates and outcomes of the competitive pathways. A thorough survey and compilation of the known chemistry and thermokinetics of cellulose thermal decomposition was carried out in [19], on the basis of which a dynamical model was built up that includes the role of water in the reaction chemistry. In this paper we concentrate on the kinetic and thermal aspects of the decomposition process, emphasizing the role played by thermal feedback in regulating the decomposition pathways.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition: implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments

Ball

McIntosh

Brindley

2004

Combustion Theory and Modelling

102

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A simple dynamical system that models the competitive thermokinetics and chemistry of cellulose decomposition is examined, with reference to evidence from experimental studies indicating that char formation is a low activation energy exothermal process and volatilization is a high activation energy endothermal process. The thermohydrolysis chemistry at the core of the primary competition is described. Essentially, the competition is between two nucleophiles, a molecule of water and an -OH group on C 6 of an end glucosyl cation, to form either a reducing chain fragment with the propensity to undergo the bond-forming reactions that ultimately form char or a levoglucosan-end-fragment that depolymerizes to volatile products. The results of this analysis suggest that promotion of char formation under thermal stress can actually increase the production of flammable volatiles. Thus we would like to convey an important safety message in this paper: in some situations where heat and mass transfer is restricted in cellulosic materials, such as furnishings, insulation, and stockpiles, the use of char-promoting treatments for fire retardation may have the effect of increasing the risk of flaming combustion.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition: implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments

Ball

McIntosh

Brindley

2004

Combustion Theory and Modelling

102

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Cellulose is a linear, unbranched polysaccharide of ≃ 10,000 D-glucose units in β(1, 4) linkage 3 . The parallel chains are held together by hydrogen bonds, a non-covalent linage in which surplus electron density on hydroxyl group oxygens is distributed to hydrogens with partial positive charge on hydroxyl groups of adjacent residues (Ball et al, 1999).…”

Section: Fuel Chemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildland surface fire spread modelling, 1990 - 2007. 1: Physical and quasi-physical models

Sullivan¹

2009

Int. J. Wildland Fire

399

217

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent years, advances in computational power and spatial data analysis (GIS, remote sensing, etc) have led to an increase in attempts to model the spread and behaviour of wildland fires across the landscape. This series of review papers endeavours to critically and comprehensively review all types of surface fire spread models developed since 1990. This paper reviews models of a physical or quasi-physical nature. These models are based on the fundamental chemistry and/or physics of combustion and fire spread. Other papers in the series review models of an empirical or quasi-empirical nature, and mathematical analogues and simulation models. Many models are extensions or refinements of models developed before 1990. Where this is the case, these models are also discussed but much less comprehensively.

show abstract

“…Under appropriate conditions fires can be observed to flicker and fluctuate between these two pathways. More details on the chemistry and competitive thermokinetics of cellulose pyrolysis can be found in the works of Ball et al [5][6][7] and references therein.…”

Section: Fig (2)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Combustion of Biomass as a Global Carbon Sink

Ball¹

2009

TOTHERJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This commentary article highlights the important role of black carbon produced from biomass burning in the global carbon cycle. Consideration of the fundamental chemistry and thermokinetics of cellulose thermal decomposition suggests that suppression of biomass burning or biasing burning practices to produce soot-free flames must inevitably transfer more carbon to the atmosphere. A simple order-of-magnitude quantitative analysis indicates that black carbon may be a significant carbon reservoir that persists over geological time scales.

show abstract

The role of char-forming processes in the thermal decomposition of cellulose

Cited by 49 publications

References 23 publications

Feedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition: implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments

Feedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition: implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments

Wildland surface fire spread modelling, 1990 - 2007. 1: Physical and quasi-physical models

Combustion of Biomass as a Global Carbon Sink

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About