dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaFeedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition. Implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments
| Authors | R. Ball, A. C. McIntosh, J. Brindley |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0207101 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0207101 |
Abstract
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.
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"abstract": "A simple dynamical system that models the competitive thermokinetics and\nchemistry of cellulose decomposition is examined, with reference to evidence\nfrom experimental studies indicating that char formation is a low activation\nenergy exothermal process and volatilization is a high activation energy\nendothermal process. The thermohydrolysis chemistry at the core of the primary\ncompetition is described. Essentially, the competition is between two\nnucleophiles, a molecule of water and an -OH group on C_6 of an end glucosyl\ncation, to form either a reducing chain fragment with the propensity to undergo\nthe bond-forming reactions that ultimately form char or a\nlevoglucosan-end-fragment that depolymerizes to volatile products. The results\nof this analysis suggest that promotion of char formation under thermal stress\ncan actually increase the production of flammable volatiles. Thus we would like\nto convey an important safety message in this paper: in some situations where\nheat and mass transfer is restricted in cellulosic materials, such as\nfurnishings, insulation, and stockpiles, the use of char-promoting treatments\nfor fire retardation may have the effect of increasing the risk of flaming\ncombustion.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0207101",
"authors": [
"R. Ball",
"A. C. McIntosh",
"J. Brindley"
],
"categories": [
"physics.chem-ph"
],
"title": "Feedback processes in cellulose thermal decomposition. Implications for fire-retarding strategies and treatments",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0207101"
},
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