A simple model of polymer pyrolysis including transport of volatiles

Mathematical models and physical understanding of polymer pyrolysis are key tools in predicting the fire safety performance of polymeric materials. Without a suitably realistic view of the processes occurring in the solid phase during gasification, flame spread or ignition phenomena cannot be accurately or reliably predicted. Most models of polymer pyrolysis neglect to include two key factors: change of volume during pyrolysis and transport of volatile gases. In this paper, a simple model of volatile transport is incorporated into a model of pyrolysis, which includes change of volume. The qualitative effect of volatile transport is discussed and is found to be particularly important at low heat fluxes, moderate solid thermal conductivity and moderate decomposition temperature range. The shortcomings of the simple model are also discussed and suggestions for further work are included. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.