Thermal Decomposition Studies
Our research in pollution prevention includes the capability to carry out thermal decomposition studies on organic compounds and mixtures. We use the results to evaluate combustion properties, fire safety, product liability, off-gassing from high-temperature manufacturing operations, and other specific, often proprietary, manufacturing concerns.
We use fused silica flow reactor instrumentation (in our Thermal Decomposition Laboratory) to characterize the thermal decomposition profile of a given material. Typical analyses include mapping the conversion of the material up to a target level of conversion. Identification and semi-quantification of reaction byproducts at various levels of formation is routinely conducted. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) is typically used to determine conversion. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is typically used to characterize reaction byproducts.
Selected Publications
T. Yamada, P. H. Taylor, R. C. Buck, M. A. Kaiser, and R. J. Giraud, “Thermal Degradation of Fluorotelomer-Treated Articles and Related Materials,” Chemosphere, 61, 974, 2005.
A. Fullana, A. A. Carbonell-Barrachina, and S. Sidhu, “Volatile Aldehyde Emissions from Heated Cooking Oils,” Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 84, 2015, 2004.
J. L. Graham, C. B. Almquist, S. Kumar, and S. Sidhu, “An Investigation of Nanostructured Vanadia/Titania Catalysts for the Oxidation of Monochlorobenzene,” Catalysis Today, 88, 73, 2003.
R. C. Striebich and J. Lawrence, “Thermal Decomposition of High-Energy Density Materials at High Pressure and Temperature,” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 70, 449, 2003.
K. Wohlwend, L. Q. Maurice, T. Edwards, R. C. Striebich, M. Vangsness and A. S. Hill, “Thermal Stability of Energetic Hydrocarbon Fuels for Use in Combined Cycle Engines,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, 17, 1258, 2001.
P. H. Taylor and B. Dellinger, “Pyrolysis and Molecular Growth of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons,” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 49, 9, 1999.
P. H. Taylor, S. Shanbhag, W. A. Rubey, B. Dellinger, and M. Bergin, “Speciation of Organic By-Products from the Thermal Decomposition of Alternative Automotive Fuels,” Air and Waste Management Assocation Journal, 49, 39, 1999.
P. H. Taylor, L. Cheng, and B. Dellinger, “The Influence of Nitric Oxide on the Oxidation of Methanol and Ethanol,” Combustion and Flame, 115, 562, 1998.
P. H. Taylor, S. Shanbhag, and B. Dellinger, “Benzene Formation from the Flow Reactor Oxidation of MTBE,” Combustion and Flame, 115, 262, 1998.
P. H. Taylor, D. A. Tirey, and B. Dellinger, "The High-Temperature Pyrolysis of Hexachloropropene: Kinetic Analysis of Pathways to Formation of Perchloro-arylbenzenes," Combustion and Flame, 105, 486, 1996.
P. H. Taylor, D. A. Tirey, and B. Dellinger, "A Comprehensive Kinetic Model of the High Temperature Pyrolysis of Tetrachloroethene," Combustion and Flame, 104, 260, 1996.
P. H. Taylor, L. Cheng, and B. Dellinger, “Organic Pollutants from the Thermal Degradation of Oxygenated Fuels,” In: Alternative Fuels: Composition, Performance, Engines, and Systems (SP-1181), SAE Technical Paper Series #961088, p. 269, Warrendale, PA, 1996.
S. S. Sidhu, L. Maqsud, and B. Dellinger, "The Homogeneous, Gas-Phase Formation of Chlorinated and Brominated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins from 2,4,6-Trichloro- and 2,4,6-Tribromophenols,” Combustion and Flame, 100, 1, 1995.
P. H. Taylor, S. Shanbhag, and B. Dellinger, “The High-Temperature Pyrolysis and Oxidation of Methanol and Ethanol: Experimental Results and Comparison with Vehicle Emission Tests,” In: Progress in Emission Control Technologies (SP-1053), SAE Technical Paper Series #941904, p. 39, Warrendale, PA, 1994.
P. H. Taylor, D. A. Tirey, W. A. Rubey, and B. Dellinger, "Detailed Modeling of the Pyrolysis of Trichloroethene: Formation of Chlorinated Aromatic Species," Combustion Science and Technology, 101, 75, 1994.
J. L. Graham, J. M. Berman, and B. Dellinger, "The High Temperature Thermal/Photolytic Oxidation of Monochlorobenzene," Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, A: Chemistry, 71, 65, 1993.
R. C. Striebich, W. A. Rubey, D. A. Tirey, and B. Dellinger, "High Temperature Degradation of Polybrominated Flame Retardant Materials," Chemosphere, 23, 1197, 1991.
B. Dellinger, S. L. Mazer, and R. A. Dobbs, "Laboratory Evaluations of the Thermal Degradation Properties of Toxic Organic Materials in Sewage Sludge," Air and Waste Management Association Journal, 41, 838, 1991.
P. H. Taylor, B. Dellinger, and D. A. Tirey, "Oxidative Pyrolysis of CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and CCl4-I: Incineration Implications," International Journal of Chemical Kinetics, 23, 1051, 1991.
D. A. Tirey, P. H. Taylor, and B. Dellinger, "Products of Incomplete Combustion from the High Temperature Pyrolysis of the Chlorinated Methanes," In: Emissions from Combustion Processes: Origin, Measurement, and Control, Chapter 8, p. 109, 1990.
D. A. Tirey, P. H. Taylor, J. H. Kasner, and B. Dellinger, "Gas Phase Formation of Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds from the Pyrolysis of Tetrachloroethylene," Combustion Science and Technology, 74, 137, 1990.
B. Dellinger, P. H. Taylor, D. A. Tirey, and C. C. Lee, "Pathways of Formation of Chlorinated PICs from the Thermal Degradation of Simple Chlorinated Hydrocarbons," Journal of Hazardous Materials, 22, 175, 1989.
P. H. Taylor and W. A. Rubey, "Evaluation of the Gas-Phase Thermal Degradation Behavior of Future Jet Fuels," Energy and Fuels, 2, 723, 1988.
J. L. Graham and B. Dellinger, "Solar Thermal/Photolytic Destruction of Hazardous Organic Wastes," Energy, 12, 303, 1987.
J. L. Graham, D. L. Hall, and B. Dellinger, "Laboratory Investigation of the Thermal Degradation of a Mixture of Hazardous Organic Wastes-I," Environmental Science & Technology, 20, 703, 1986.
W. A. Rubey, B. Dellinger, D. L. Hall, and S. L. Mazer, "High-Temperature Gas-Phase Formation and Destruction of Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans," Chemosphere, 14, 1483, 1985.
B. Dellinger, J. L. Torres, W. A. Rubey, D. L. Hall, J. L. Graham, and R. A. Carnes, "Determination of the Thermal Stability of Selected Hazardous Organic Compounds," Hazardous Waste, 1, 137, 1984.