THERMAL-ANALYSIS OF PINUS-HALEPENSIS PINE-NEEDLES AND THEIR MAIN COMPONENTS IN THE PRESENCE OF (NH4)(2)HPO4 AND (NH4)(2)SO4

DSC and TG were used to study the effects of fire retardants on the pyrolysis of Pinus halepensis pine-needles and their components (cellulose, lignin and extractives). (NH4)(2)HPO4 and (NH4)(2)SO4 were used as fire retardants at the 10% w/w concentration level. The TG results showed that the mass loss profile of pine-needles resembles those of lignin and extractives. The DSC curves showed that in the presence of fire retardants there is a shift to lower pyrolysis temperatures for cellulose. In addition, there is an increase in the pyrolysis residue for both cellulose and pine-needles. Minor or negligible effects were observed for lignin and extractives in the presence of the retardants.