The pyrolysis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was examined with a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA). The experiments were carried out over the temperature range of 400-800 K at three heating rates of 1, 2, and 5.5 Klmin and in a nitrogen atmosphere. The results indicate that the entire process of PVC pyrolysis under the experimental conditions of this investigation consists of two distinct pyrolysis stages, namely, the thermal dehydrochlorination and the breakdown of the intermediate products produced after the dehydrochlorination stage. The corresponding activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction order were determined. A two-stage pyrolysis model, which is composed of four reactions including a number of independent, consecutive and competitive reactions with volatiles and solid products, was developed. This kinetic model gives good agreement with the experimental results.
