Determining Multi-step Non-isothermal Reaction Kinetics of Gypsum Board using Isoconversional Methods and Optimization
Faculty Mentor
Hayri Sezer
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
A comprehensive approach integrating model-free isoconversional methods and an optimization-based model fitting method was developed to estimate kinetic parameters accurately. The mass loss curves of commercial gypsum board obtained at four heating rates (10, 20, 30 and 60 K/min) showed 18.5 % and 3.5% reduction of mass in two distinct temperature ranges. This mass loss is associated with dehydration of gypsum followed by the decomposition of calcium carbonate which is found as a natural impurity in gypsum deposits. Activation energies for each reaction were calculated using Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods and provided appropriate bounds for optimization. A single set of Arrhenius parameters for each reaction step was obtained through constrained optimization, resulting in accurate prediction of conversion fraction and reaction rates across all heating rates. The calculated kinetic parameters representing decomposition reactions are reliable and can be used for the numerical prediction of fire behavior of gypsum board.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 12:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Saad, Muhammad, "Determining Multi-step Non-isothermal Reaction Kinetics of Gypsum Board using Isoconversional Methods and Optimization" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 73.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/73
Determining Multi-step Non-isothermal Reaction Kinetics of Gypsum Board using Isoconversional Methods and Optimization
Russell Union Ballroom
A comprehensive approach integrating model-free isoconversional methods and an optimization-based model fitting method was developed to estimate kinetic parameters accurately. The mass loss curves of commercial gypsum board obtained at four heating rates (10, 20, 30 and 60 K/min) showed 18.5 % and 3.5% reduction of mass in two distinct temperature ranges. This mass loss is associated with dehydration of gypsum followed by the decomposition of calcium carbonate which is found as a natural impurity in gypsum deposits. Activation energies for each reaction were calculated using Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods and provided appropriate bounds for optimization. A single set of Arrhenius parameters for each reaction step was obtained through constrained optimization, resulting in accurate prediction of conversion fraction and reaction rates across all heating rates. The calculated kinetic parameters representing decomposition reactions are reliable and can be used for the numerical prediction of fire behavior of gypsum board.
