Gas formation in the thermal decomposition of large spherical wood particles

Gas formation, weight loss and temperature profiles in the thermal decomposition of relatively large particles of pine wood have been studied. Experiments with spherical particles of different sizes (2, 3 and 4 cm in diameter) have been carried out at two heating rates of the system (5 and 12 degrees C min(-1)). The existence of significant radial and angular profiles in the particles causes differences in the conversion and in the formation of gases. The experimental yields obtained for the majority gas, CO2, have been compared with the calculated yields using a model without adjustable parameters. An acceptable agreement has been achieved between the experimental and calculated results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.