Pyrolysis kinetics and estimation of chemical composition ofQuercus cerriscork

Pyrolysis kinetics ofQuercus cerriscork was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis with heating rates of 10, 20, 50, and 100 degrees C min(-1). The activation energies and chemical compositions of cork components were determined by different model-fitting methods, isoconversional Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method, and Lorentzian multi-peak fitting. Wet chemical analysis of cork was conducted to compare with the chemical compositions predicted by the kinetic models and Lorentzian multi-peak fitting. The results show that pyrolysis ofQuercus cerriscork possibly followsnth-order kinetics, and best fits to the experimental data were obtained by three-halves kinetics followed by first-order and contracting sphere models. The fit qualities of the different models were close implying that the first order models could be used for practical applications. Six pseudo-components approximation used in these models suggested that while cork hemicelluloses and cellulose undergo thermal decompositions similar as in wood, cork suberin decomposes in two distinct steps, i.e., cellulose-like and lignin-like decompositions. Isoconversional KAS method showed that the average activation energy ofQuercus cerriscork is approximately 298 kJ mol(-1). The reconstructed mass loss curves after Lorentzian multi-peak fitting resulted in smaller activation energies for cork components.

Automated summary

The pyrolysis kinetics of Quercus cerris cork were studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The activation energies and chemical compositions of cork components were determined by different model-fitting methods. The results suggest that the pyrolysis of cork possibly follows nth-order kinetics, and the first-order model could be used for practical applications. Additionally, the thermal decomposition of cork hemicelluloses and cellulose is similar to that of wood, while cork suberin decomposes in two distinct steps.