Modelling the pyrolysis and combustion of wood.

Date

2011

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

The study of the pyrolysis and combustion of wood is very important. This is due to the fact that wood has very complex structure in which when it decompose produce substances which are not environmental friendly. In this study wood decomposition which is made up of cellulosic material was scrutinized. The combustion kinetic of wood (cellulose) together with Arrhenius equation was used in derivation of the model The governing nonlinear Ordinary Deferential Equations (ODE) with initial values are solved and analysed using Runge-Kutta numerical method. The results obtained were presented graphically for the purpose of explaining the pyrolysis and combustion of wood and the impact of wood burning for both fixed and varying temperatures. The results show that both fixed and varying temperatures the decomposition reacts)n of wood (cellulose) the system lead to separation of the components of wood to give charcoal and gases as end products, but the gases were highly produced at moderate temperature". Important properties of wood) d including the effects of embedded parameters are also employed to tackle the problem. Usually when you bum wood, residential or non-residential the complete combustion does not occur, and this cause the wood smoke to be produced (e.g. carbon monoxide and other toxic volatiles) which pollute the air. These pollutants have bad elects to the human health and environment in general. Other key negative erect of cutting and burning trees and wood include desertification which may exacerbate the hostile condition of atmosphere created by global warming which is one of the great manifestations of climate change.

Description

Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QD281.P9S24)

Keywords

Pyrolysis, Combustion, Wood

Citation

Salim, S. S. (2011). Modelling the pyrolysis and combustion of wood. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.