Insights into Wood Species and Aging Effects on Pyrolysis Characteristics and Combustion Model by Multi Kinetics Methods and Model Constructions

Abstract

Considering the advantages of low price, renewable, good mechanical properties and low density, wood has been widely used in building construction and crafts through all ages in China. However, it does not mean the more wood employed in building construction the better, especially considering various requirements and properties, among which are wood structure, aging, stability, and even fire safety performance. In this study, cypress, pine and fir woods commonly used in China, as well as old samples for above each species (more than 200 years old) have been used to study the aging and species effects on their thermal stability and combustion models. To obtain the kinetic triple of the pyrolysis process, all samples have been heated in a nitrogen atmosphere with heating rates 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min -1 . The kinetics parameters of pyrolysis throughout the conversion process were then calculated using isoconversional method, Coats-Redfern (CR), and masterplots methods. The reconstructed theoretical models have been then adjusted using the accommodation functions. The results of this study contribute to an increased understanding of the fire mechanism of wooden buildings, and implications concerning to provide scientific theoretical guidance for fire safety and combustion research.

Keywords: wood combustion, species, aging effects, pyrolysis kinetics