Measurements of Thermal Decomposition Rates of Several Types of Wood and Estimation of Reaction Rate Parameters

Abstract

Pyrolysis process governs most of the mass loss of wood when heated, so it is important to model the pyrolysis process of wood for prediction of fire resistance of timber structural elements. Thermogravimetric analysis of 9 types of wood were conducted, and the pyrolysis behavior of all samples were analyzed with a single process reaction model and a 3-components reaction model. The major mass loss occurs at about 200 - 380 °C, and a plateau appeared on the DTG curves of hardwoods like Jarrah at around 300 °C. Single process reaction model can express the pyrolysis of Douglas fir and Japanese cypress precisely, but it is not suitable for hardwoods like Jarrah and Selangan Batu. The 3-components reaction model can express the rate of pyrolysis for all 9 types of wood used in the experiments, with high calculation accuracy within a temperature range from 110 °C to about 380 °C.