- Author
- McCarter, R. J.
- Title
- Apparatus for Rate Studies of Vapor Producing Reactions.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NBS SP 338, October 1970, 14 p.
- Distribution
- Available from Government Printing Office
- Keywords
- differential thermal analysis | kinetics | pyrolysis | thermal analysis | thermal degradation | thermogravimetric analysis
- Abstract
- An apparatus was developed for measuring the rate at which vapors are evolved during the thermal degradation of materials and thereby deriving the kinetics of such reactions. Requisite to the operating scheme of the apparatus is the provision of a high-temperature zone to convert condensable or tarry vapors into noncondensable form. The apparatus yields a direct measure of reaction velocity, rather than the integrated indication obtained with thermogravimetric analysis. This simplifies the identification and calculation of kinetic parameters. Increases in sensitivity and operating range are also achieved. Flexibility in operation is obtained that permits the separate recording of reactions that tend to overlap. Although the apparatus has been operated principally with a combustible gas indicator serving to meter the evolved product vapors, a number of options are available for the latter function, including flow meters and various continous gas analyzers. The applicability of the method appears promising.