Preface

The word *pyrolysis*, translated from the original Greek *pyros* = *fire* and *lyso* = *decomposition*, means a chemical transformation of a sample when heated at a temperature higher than ambient in an inert atmosphere in the absence of oxygen. Pyrolysis can be divided into two types: applied pyrolysis and analytical pyrolysis. Applied pyrolysis is concerned with the production of chemicals. When performed on a large scale, pyrolysis is involved in industrial processes such as the manufacture of coke from coal and the conversion of biomass into biofuels. In contrast, analytical pyrolysis is a laboratory procedure in which small amounts of organic materials undergo thermal treatment. Analytical pyrolysis deals with the structural identification and quantitation of pyrolysis products with the ultimate aim of establishing the identity of the original material and the mechanisms of its thermal decomposition. Pyrolysis temperatures of 550–1400°C are high enough to break molecular bonds in macromolecules, thereby forming smaller, simpler volatile compounds. The pyrolytic process is carried out in a pyrolysis unit (pyrolyzer) interfaced with analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), or with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (GC/ FTIR). By measurement and identification of the pyrolysis products with the help of these techniques, the molecular composition of the original sample can often be reconstructed.

Applications of analytical pyrolysis range from research and development of new materials, characterization and competitor product evaluation, medicine, biology and biotechnology, geology, airspace, environmental analysis (microplastics) for forensic purposes or conservation, and restoration of cultural heritage. These applications cover analysis and identification of synthetic polymers/copolymers and biopolymers. Analytical pyrolysis allows the confirmation of the source of a failed product, the identification of contaminants causing failure, competitive analysis, as well as overcoming a problem in product development or quality control. This technique is often used for wood studies due to its ability to provide details of the molecular structure of lignocellulose.

This book is the outcome of contributions by experts in the field of pyrolysis. Chapters 1 and 2 include applications of analytical pyrolysis coupled with MS to characterize the structure of synthetic organic polymers and lignocellulosic materials as well as cellulosic pulps and isolated lignins. In Chapter 3 the pyrolysis characteristics of solid wood, waste particle board, and bio-oil are investigated. The pyrolysis products were identified by GC/MS. Chapter 4 presents a thermal degradation study of cellulose and biomass, examined by scanning electron micrography, FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, and TG/MS. Finally, Chapter 5 describes the calorimetric determination of high heating values of different raw biomass, plastic waste, and biomass-plastic waste mixtures and their by-products resulting from pyrolysis.

The editor would like to thank all the authors of these chapters for their contribution and commitment, which made the publication of this book possible. All the help and advice from Ms. Dolores Kuzelj, the Author Service Manager, is also gratefully acknowledged.

> **Dr. Peter Kusch** Department of Applied Natural Sciences, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Rheinbach, Germany

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Section 1

Pyrolysis - GC/MS(FID)

## Section 1
