Experimental study of the characteristic parameters of the combustion of the wood of ancient buildings

Abstract

The degree of ageing, the combustion kinetic performance and the change law of the combustion characteristics of ancient pine were experimentally investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, calorimetry experiments, component analysis experiments and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The results show that the hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin and resin contents of the ancient pine decreased by 4.78%, 3.87%, 1.39% and 0.63%, respectively. The volatile content of the ancient pine decreased by 7.37%, while the ash content increased by 5.02%. The terpenes in the ancient pine were almost decomposed, and the calorific value of the ancient pine decreased by 21.54%. The ignition point of ancient pine was 19.83°C lower than that of the fresh pine. The activation energy and heat of the pre-charring stage of the combustion of the ancient pine were 1.37 times and 0.51 times those of the fresh pine, respectively. In contrast, the activation energy and heat of the charring stage of the combustion of the ancient pine were 0.66 times and 1.2 times those of the fresh pine, respectively. The ignition time and peak time of the ancient pine were shorter, and the heat release rate, smoke production rate, specific extinction area and CO production rate were higher than those of fresh pine.