Modelling the pyrolysis and combustion of wood

Abstract

This paper examines the chemical kinetics of cellulosic material with fixed and varying temperatures. The combustion kinetics of wood together with Arrhenius equation is used in derivation of the model. The governing nonlinear ordinary differential equations with initial conditions are solved numerically. The results obtained are presented graphically for the purpose of showing the pyrolysis and combustion of wood and impact of wood burning for both fixed and varying temperatures. It is observed that charcoal and gases yields are the end products formed during the processes. However it is observed that gases are highly produced at varying temperatures. However for both fixed and varying temperatures, the decomposition reaction of wood (cellulose) in the system leads to the separation of the components of wood giving charcoal and gases as end products, but the gases are highly produced at moderate temperatures.