| Abstract: | An apparatus was developed for measuring the rate at which vapors are evolved during the thermal degradation of materials and thereby deriving the kinetics of such reactions. Requisite to the operating scheme of the apparatus is the provision of a high-temperature zone to convert condensable or tarry vapors into noncondensable form. The apparatus yields a direct measure of reaction velocity, rather than the integrated indication obtained with thermogravimetric analysis. This simplifies the identification and calculation of kinetic parameters. Increases in sensitivity and operating range are also achieved. Flexibility in operation is obtained that permits the separate recording of reactions that tend to overlap. Although the apparatus principally has been operated using a combustible gas indicator to meter the evolved vapors, a number of options are available for the latter function, including flowmeters and various continuous gas analyzers. The applicability of the method appears promising. |
