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Short communication: approximate solutions for the pyrolysis of char forming and filled polymers under thermally thick conditions
Author(s) -
Staggs J. E. J
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fire and materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-1018
pISSN - 0308-0501
DOI - 10.1002/1099-1018(200011/12)24:6<305::aid-fam749>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - char , pyrolysis , polymer , ignition system , inert , mathematical model , materials science , inert gas , composite material , chemical engineering , thermodynamics , chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , engineering , physics , statistics
The problem of pyrolysis of a material M which decomposes in a single step, under thermally thick conditions, to produce a residue R and volatile products ν , M → λR +(1− λ ) ν , is considered and a simplified mathematical model is developed. The model is applied to two cases: (a) the pyrolysis of a polymer and inert filler mixture and (b) the pyrolysis of a char‐forming polymer. Results of the simplified model are compared with numerical results from more complex mathematical models. It is found that, provided the characteristic temperature range of the degradation step is small, agreement is remarkably good. As well as providing a test case for more complex mathematical models, the simplified model is used to estimate the maximum mass loss rate and ignition characteristics for the two cases. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.