TG and autoignition studies on forest fuels

The autoignition delay times of some important Mediterranean forest species: Arbutus adrachne, Abies cephallonica, Pinus brutia, Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus, Cupressus semprevirens, Olea europaea, Cistus incanus were determined in the range 460-600(o)C under precisely controlled temperature and airflow conditions. Based on these data the forest fuels examined were classified into two groups: the least and the most flammable species. The autoignition delay data were related to the thermal analysis measurements. The themogravimetric analysis in an inert (nitrogen) atmosphere showed that the thermal decomposition of cellulose in the range of 300-400degreesC as well as the mass residue at 600degreesC are directly related to the ignition behavior.