Kinetic model of the decomposition of a PET fibre cloth in an inert and air environment

Abstract

The kinetics of the global thermal decomposition of a PET fibre cloth have been studied in three different atmospheres with nitrogen, 20 and 10% oxygen, using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) between room temperature and 1050 K. Three different heating rates were used at each atmosphere condition. Moreover, several isothermal experiments in nitrogen and 20% oxygen have been carried out. For the pyrolysis of an old PET fibre cloth, the kinetic model comprises three independent reactions. The combustion kinetic model considers that pyrolysis of two fractions of the initial material occurs regardless of the oxygen concentration and then a combustion of the forming char and the third fraction starts. One set of parameters can explain all the isothermal and dynamic experiments at the three different heating rates used.