The role of char-forming processes in the thermal decomposition of cellulose

A simple model for the thermal decomposition of amorphous cellulose is proposed that rationalizes the effect of water in promoting the charring process at the expense of volatilization. Simulations of mass-loss histories and product evolution are shown to be consistent with various experimental observations in the literature. Under char-promoting conditions where heat transfer is limited, anomalous thermal effects are predicted which indicate that char formation may not always be desirable in fire-inhibiting treatments of or strategies for cellulosic materials.