Detailed kinetics of the pyrolysis and oxidation of anisole

Abstract

Pyrolysis, gasification and combustion of biomass are promising alternative energy sources. The kinetic understanding of these processes is crucial in the design and optimization of large-scale units. This paper proposes a detailed kinetic model for the pyrolysis and oxidation of anisole, a model compound for the lignin fraction of biomass. Model predictions are compared to a wide range set of experimental data. The chemistry of the highly resonant phenoxy radical is relevant in the formation of important intermediates, as cresols, phenol and cyclopentadiene. This kinetic study further confirms the importance and the role of resonantly stabilized radicals such as benzyl and phenoxyl radicals