Kinetics of reactions involved in pyrolysis of cellulose I. The three reaction model

Kinetics of reactions involved in pyrolysis of cellulose has been modeled in terms of a three reaction model. In this model it is assumed that cellulose decomposes to tars, chars and gaseous products via three competitive first-order reactions. Arrhenius parameters have been obtained to describe the rate constants of these reactions. The three reaction model predicts the weight loss data reasonably well. Product yields of tars, chars and gases predicted by the three reaction model are compared over the temperature range 250 to 360°C. In this communication a technique for analyzing experimental data of a solid state reaction is presented.     

Microwave effect on kinetics of paper cups pyrolysis

Not only are microwaves notorious in food heating, but they exhibit interesting properties in different domains including chemical engineering. Their ability to concentrate heat transfer inside dielectric materials enhances process efficiency and permits high heating rates. Nonetheless, their effect on reactions is still controversial. While some researchers believe in non-thermal effects due to the efficient conversion of microwave energy to enhance reactions without heat dissipation, others assert that microwave frequencies are not high enough to excite molecular bonds. In this study, paper cups pyrolysis is achieved in electrical and microwave TGA using two heating modes. The effect of microwaves on the kinetics of paper cups pyrolysis is shown to depend on the heating regime: at a moderate heating rate, microwave pyrolysis started at a lower temperature, while the pyrolysis in the electrical and microwave TGA have similar kinetic parameters at high heating conditions. This difference is linked with reaction mechanisms. At moderate heating conditions, cellulose decomposes first to an intermediate compound then to final products. The intermediate has a short reaction time and interacts with the microwave. Hence, hot spots at the molecular scale are generated in a short amount of time below the detectable limits of existing temperature measurements media. At a high heating rate, the decomposition of cellulose is direct and no effect is observed.     

纤维素热裂解反应机理数值模拟

A detailed mechanism analysis of cellulose pyrolysis was carried out according to the previous experimental results. On the basis of the Brodio-Shafizadeh model, a modified two-stage model was proposed to simulate the formation and decomposition of active cellulose (AC) and several main organic compounds, such as levoglucosan (LG), hydroxyl-acetaldehyde (HAA), acetol and furfural etc. During pryolysis, the temperature rise of cellulose can be divided into three stages. In the second stage, cellulose undergoes a main decomposition process in which the reaction temperature remains rather low because of the endothermic cracking of glucosidic bond of AC during the formation of LG. The components density of bio-oil, including LG and other competitive compounds, increased rapidly with the increase of temperature during the first stage. However, in the main decomposition process, LG density in bio-oil had an obvious decrease, while the competitive products appeared to increase gradually, which means the ring-opening and reforming reaction of pyranoid ring are superior to LG formation in high temperature.The secondary reaction of volatile components occurs largely in gaseous phase rather than in the solid phase. Short residence time of volatile materials in high temperature region will be advantageous to a high production of LG,which may otherwise decompose quickly under high temperature. An optimum yield of LG could be obtained when radiant source temperature is in the range of 730---920K and gas residence time is less than 1 s. In addition, the reaction temperature has a stronger effect than gas residence time on the formation of HAA, acetol, formaldehyde and furfural etc.     

Secondary char formation in the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass

Samples of four types of wood and pure cellulose, both untreated and impregnated with salt (Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, NaCl, KC1), were pyrolysed. Two experimental systems with different geometries and secondary reaction patterns were used, viz. a McBain thermogravimetric balance and a Gray-King retort. The substrates were pyrolysed under a stream of nitrogen in the thermobalance and in some of the Gray-King runs, using a modified retort. Salt impregnation was found to modify weight loss rates and to increase the charcoal yield in the presence of an inert carrier gas in both experimental systems. Longer residence times of volatiles in the hot zone gave rise to larger charcoal yields from untreated substrates. However, long residence times of volatile matter over Na₂CO₃-impregnated cellulose were found to be detrimental to char formation. These results indicate that primary volatiles may undergo secondary reactions through competitive pathways, either polymerizing to form char or cracking to form lighter volatiles. Long residence times of light volatiles appear to enhance the latter pathway in the presence of Na₂CO₃.     

纤维素热解机理研究进展：以中间态纤维素为核心的纤维素演变

纤维素热解的机理研究对于生物质能的热利用至关重要,能够有效指导工业实际应用。基于著名的Broido-Shafizadeh模型,纤维素热解被分为两步,首先转变为活性的熔融态中间体（中间态纤维素）,然后通过解聚和开环生成左旋葡聚糖、5-羟甲基糠醛、羟基乙醛等重要的化工原料。在这两步转变中,主要涉及低温段氢键网络的断裂、中间态纤维素的生成,以及高温段的解聚和吡喃环开环反应。本文从这3个部分对前人的研究进行了综述,着重介绍了中间态纤维素的生成和表征,综述了纤维素热解几个研究方向：结晶度和结晶形态对热解的影响、纤维素解聚反应方式、吡喃环开环方式等,详细阐述了二次反应对纤维素热解的影响,并提出了部分解决方案。关于纤维素热解依然存在诸多未知和争论,需要进一步的实验研究和理论计算对其进行揭示。     

A kinetic model for pyrolysis of cellulose

It has been shown that the pyrolysis of cellulose at low pressure (1.5 Torr) can be described by a three reaction model. In this model, it is assumed that an “initiation reaction” leads to formation of an “active cellulose” which subsequently decomposes by two competitive first-order reactions, one yielding volatiles and the other char and a gaseous fraction. Over the temperature range of 259–341°C, the rate constants of these reactions, k_i (for cellulose → “active cellulose”), k_v (for “active cellulose” → “volatiles”), and k_c (for “active cellulose” → char + the gaseous fraction) are given by k_i = 1.7 × 10²¹e^{? (58,000/RT)} min ^?1, k_v = 1.9 × 10¹⁶e^{? (47,300/RT)} min^?1, and k_c = 7.9 × 10¹¹e^{? (36,600/RT)} min^?1, respectively.     

Two-Stage pyrolysis model of PVC

The pyrolysis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was examined with a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). The experiments were carried out over the temperature range of 400-800 K at three heating rates of 1, 2, and 5.5 K/min and in a nitrogen atmosphere. The results indicate that the entire process of PVC pyrolysis under the experimental conditions of this investigation consists of two distinct pyrolysis stages, namely, the thermal dehydrochlorination and the breakdown of the intermediate products produced after the dehydrochlorination stage. The corresponding activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction order were determined. A two-stage pyrolysis model, which is composed of four reactions including a number of independent, consecutive and competitive reactions with volatiles and solid products, was developed. This kinetic model gives good agreement with the experimental results.     

Modeling the thermal decomposition and residual mass of a carbon fiber epoxy matrix composite with a phenomenological approach: Effect of the reaction scheme

The thermal decomposition of polymer matrix composites is a complex process involving hundreds of reactions and species, which are often modeled with simplified one-step schemes. These schemes can be improved by adding intermediate reactions of different nature (competitive, parallel, and consecutive). However, the optimal number and nature of intermediate reactions are rarely discussed. In this paper, several reaction schemes of increasing complexity have been developed to model the decomposition of a carbon/epoxy composite. The kinetic parameters describing each reaction have been extracted from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) by means of isoconversional methods. The composite mass loss rate and residual mass have been modeled and compared to TGA and tube furnace data. This research shows that adding parallel or consecutive intermediate reactions improves the agreement against TGA data compared to a single-step model, but only competitive reactions can account for the variation of the residual mass observed in the tube furnace when the heating rate is varied.     

Modelling of the pyrolysis of biomass particles. Studies on kinetics,thermal and heat transfer effects

The present work provides a rationally-based model to describe the pyrolysis of a single solid particle of biomass. As the phenomena governing the pyrolysis of a biomass particle are both chemical (primary and secondary reactions) and physical (mainly heat transfer phenomena), the presented model couples heat transport with chemical kinetics. The thermal properties included in the model are considered to be linear functions of temperature and conversion, and have been estimated from literature data or by fitting the model with experimental data. The heat of reaction has been found to be represented by two values: one endothermic, which prevails at low conversions and the other exothermic, which prevails at high conversions. Pyrolysis phenomena have been simulated by a scheme consisting of two parallel reactions and a third reaction for the secondary interactions between charcoal and volatiles. The model predictions are in agreement with experimental data regarding temperature and mass-loss histories of biomass particles over a wide range of pyrolysis conditions.     

Fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates with added NaCl part 2: Validation and evaluation of the mechanistic model

A mechanistic model considering the significant catalytic effects of Na⁺ on fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates was developed in Part 1 of this study. A computational framework based on continuous distribution kinetics and mass action kinetics was constructed to solve the mechanistic model. Agreement between model yields of various pyrolysis products with experimental data from fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates dosed with NaCl ranging from 0–0.34 mmol/g at 500 °C validated the model and demonstrated the robustness and extendibility of the mechanistic model. The model was able to capture the yields of major and minor products as well as their trends across NaCl concentrations. Modeling results showed that Na⁺ accelerated the rate of decomposition and reduced the time for complete thermoconversion of carbohydrates. The sharp reduction in the yield of levoglucosan (LVG) from fast pyrolysis of cellulose in the presence of NaCl was mainly caused by reduced decomposition of cellulose chains via end‐chain initiation and depropagation due to Na⁺ favoring competing dehydration reactions. Analysis of the contributions of reaction pathways showed that the decomposition of LVG made a minor contribution to its yield reduction and contributed less than 0.5% to the final yield of glycolaldehyde from fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates in the presence of NaCl. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 778–791, 2016     

Reactions of glycerol with poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyols

Poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyols can be modified by chemical reactions with polyglycol modifiers under conditions of elevated temperatures and reduced pressures. The modifier becomes chemically incorporated into the modified polyol and is used to control properties such as moisture sensitivity, CO₂ content, T_g, density, etc. in the resultant polyol. However, glycerol cannot be used as a modifier for poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyols under the same conditions since it reacts with poly(ethylene ether carbonate) polyols by a transesterification reaction sequence to form glyceryl carbonate. As the temperature is increased, the glyceryl carbonate decomposes to yield glycidol and carbon dioxide. These reactions are conveniently followed by ¹³C-NMR. The preparation of glyceryl carbonate by this process has not been previously reported.     

纤维素低氧环境下热解特性和糖类生成机制

在最小化二次反应的金属网反应器下对微晶纤维素进行低氧热解实验。采用带有脉冲安培检测的高性能阴离子交换色谱法(HPAEC-PAD)的Dionex ICS-6000离子色谱(IC)对热解后的产物水溶性中间态活性纤维素(WSIAC)和水溶性初生焦油(WSPT)的组成和分布进行分析。重点关注纤维素热解过程中几种脱水糖和糖聚物的生成转化规律。实验发现氧气通过促进中间态纤维素的生成来提前纤维素的分解。氧化气氛下,聚合度越高的脱水糖稳定性越差。氧气的存在一方面促进纤维二聚糖和纤维三聚糖生成,另一方面,它们的破碎或其他分解反应也在一定程度下受到氧气影响。     

Mixing and chemical reactions: Chemical selectivities

A stretching model can be applied to complex reactions as well as simple reactions.⁽¹⁾ For complex reactions different product distributions result from different mixing rates. For competitive reactions better mixing will generally favor products of reactions with higher reaction rate constants until reactions reach the reaction control limit, when so-called perfect mixing prevails. These effects are demonstrated in two cases of competitive reactions.     

The fate of methane in a claus plant reaction furnace

Experimental kinetic data are reported for key side reactions occurring in the front end [i. e. the reaction furnace (RF) and the waste heat boiler (WHB)] of modified Claus plants used for sulfur recovery from the sour gases evolved in the treatment of natural gas. An extensive experimental study was conducted in a high temperature tubular reactor system for two important homogenous gas‐phase reactions. Firstly, experiments were carried out to study the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide and methane mixtures in the presence of oxygen. Secondly, the reaction between methane and sulfur dioxide was investigated experimentally. These results showed that methane was much less competitive for oxygen than hydrogen sulfide. Hence, in a partially oxidizing environment of a RF, data showed that methane reacted significantly with other major sulfur containing species, as secondary reactions, to form COS and especially CS². This is highly problematic from an environmental point of view.     

Wrinkle-resistant cotton by photoinitiated reaction with glycidyl methacrylate followed by crosslinking reactions

A wrinkle-resistant cotton fabric was produced by photoinitiated free-radical reaction of a glycidyl methacrylate monomer from a methanol-water solution to form a poly(glycidyl methacrylate) copolymer, followed by crosslinking reactions of oxirane groups of the copolymer with cellulose. The product had increased conditioned and wet recovery angles and retained breaking and tearing strengths and stiffness values in the ranges normally obtained for wrinkle-resistant cottons. The effects of these reactions on the fiber structure were determined by transmission electron microscopy. The modified fibers were resistant to dissolution in cupriethylenediamine dihydroxide.     

纤维素热解动力学分析方法研究

以微晶纤维素为原料,在氮气气氛中利用热重分析仪考察了不同升温速率条件下纤维素的热解实验,分析了纤维素的热解动力学特性。采用双等双步法和Popescu法从热分析动力学的41种机理函数中选取最概然反应机理函数,同时运用Freeman-Carroll法、Coats-Redfern法、Starink法和双等双步法4种热分析方法计算热解反应活化能（E）、指前因子（A）,并对结果进行了分析比较。结果表明,随着升温速率提高,纤维素热解起始温度增加,热失重速率升高;纤维素的热解过程可分为4个阶段：脱水预热（40~120℃）、热解初期（120~260℃）、主要热解失重（260~400℃）和炭化（400~900℃）。纤维素主要热解段分两个阶段进行,其活化能在低温段（260~350℃）时,为166~176 kJ/mol,高温段（350~400℃）时,为171~216 kJ/mol;采用反Jander动力学模型能较好地描述主要热解反应过程;采用单一扫描速率法（Freeman-Carroll法和Coats-Redfern法）分析结果与实际值有较大偏差,多重扫描速率法（Starink法和双等双步法）得到的结果更具可靠性。     

Fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates with added NaCl part 1: Experiments and development of a mechanistic model

Sodium ions, one of the natural inorganic constituents in lignocellulosic biomass, significantly alter pyrolysis behavior and resulting chemical speciation. Here, experiments were conducted using a micropyrolyzer to investigate the catalytic effects of NaCl on fast pyrolysis of glucose‐based carbohydrates (glucose, cellobiose, maltohexaose, and cellulose), and on a major product of cellulose pyrolysis, levoglucosan (LVG). A mechanistic model that addressed the significant catalytic effects of NaCl on the product distribution was developed. The model incorporated interactions of Na⁺ with cellulosic chains and low molecular weight species, reactions mediated by Na⁺ including dehydration, cyclic/Grob fragmentation, ring‐opening/closing, isomerization, and char formation, and a degradation network of LVG in the presence of Na⁺. Rate coefficients of elementary steps were specified based on Arrhenius parameters. The mechanistic model for cellulose included 768 reactions of 222 species, which included 252 reactions of 150 species comprising the mechanistic model of glucose decomposition in the presence of NaCl. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 766–777, 2016     

Kinetic studies of the pyrolysis of sewage sludge by tga and comparison with fluidized beds

The pyrolysis of sewage sludge was examined by thermogravimetric analysis using different heating rates, particle sizes and final temperatures. A semi-empirical model was developed with four global consecutive/competitive reactions to volatile and solid products including also a heat balance. This model was extrapolated to isothermal reactor conditions and compared to experimental data on fluidized bed pyrolysis. Depending on the particle size and reactor temperature, about 90% of the maximum conversion in a fluidized bed takes place under external heat transfer control, the rest under kinetic control. Incomplete conversion occurs at short particle residence times, which were calculated approximately by the model.     

A KINETIC MODEL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIQUIDS FROM THE FLASH PYROLYSIS OF BIOMASS

A kinetically based prediction model for the production of organic liquids from the flash pyrolysis of biomass is proposed. Wood or other biomass is assumed to be decomposed according to two parallel reactions yielding liquid tar and ( gas + char) The tar is then assumed to further react by secondary homogeneous reactions to form mainly gas as a product

The model provides a very good agreement with the experimental results obtained using a pilot plant fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor

The proposed model is shown to be able to predict the organic liquid yield as a function of the operating parameters of the process, within the optimal conditions for maximizing the tar yields, and the reaction rate constants compare reasonably well with those reported in the literature     

基于不同三组分模型解析生物质热解过程

三组分模型（three pseudocomponent model）通常被用来表征生物质热解过程。传统三组分模型中单个模型的反应级数被限定为1或3。在本研究过程中，利用非线性最小二乘法，在不限定反应级数的前提下回归三组分模型动力学参数（活化能、指前因子、反应级数）。通过研究发现，纤维素（cellulose）分解反应级数接近1，与前人结果相一致。木质素（lignin）分解级数与生物质种类有关，接近于1或3。半纤维素（hemicellulose）的分解过程最复杂，其反应级数在1.5～4之间变化。以Ozawa方法计算得到的活化能作为相对标准，对3种三组分模型进行比较，发现反应级数未确定时的模型比其他两种模型更精确地表征生物质热解过程。