Characterization of Pyrolysis Gases from Southeastern US Pine Forest Fuel Beds in Wind Tunnel Fire Experiments.
Abstract
Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of carbon materials from heating and results in gasification and combustion of fuels. The objective of this study was to enhance our understanding of pyrolysis and combustion of southeast US understory vegetation. Smoke emissions from prescribed and wildland fires are directly related to the reaction chemistry inside the flame, yet these processes are not well understood. We attempted to sample pyrolysis products in a series of wind tunnel experiments by burning several plant species native to the southeastern US, varying wind speeds and plant densities on a southern pine needle fuel bed. A series of sample probes were positioned along the length of the fuel bed. Emission samples were collected with a pump/manifold collection system into stainless steel canisters at each collection probe by close observation of the flame front as it approached, with precise control of the sample collection timing. The resulting samples were analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. Approximately 40 percent of the canisters were determined to contain the pyrolysis gases H2, CO, CH4, and light hydrocarbons, based on a significant difference in ratios of these gases to typical flaming emission concentrations. Other condensible pyrolysis gases we detected were benzene, toluene, xylene, 1-hexane, 1-heptene, cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, furan, furfural, and 2-methyl- furan.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.A31K2859B
- Keywords:
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- 0305 Aerosols and particles;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0322 Constituent sources and sinks;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0345 Pollution: urban and regional;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry;
- ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE