Different species of plants are composed of many different constituents. Each individual constituent in different proportions can affect the biological function and physical/chemical properties of a plant species. Aromatic compounds such as phenolics, monoterpenes, other terpenoid derivatives can increase the flammability of a plant. Species such as yaupon, Chinese privet, and Chinese tallow are all invasive in the Southeastern United States. Higher than expected densities of these plants species have had severe effects on the plant biodiversity and wildfire behavior in the Southeastern United States, with these plants species out-competing many native non-invasive plants that were once abundant in the region. STA/IR analysis has previously been done on pure compounds to track their thermal degradation and decomposition products. IR analysis of plant material is often too convoluted to identify specific compounds during the process of thermal decomposition. The focus of this study is to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are evolved from yaupon, Chinese privet, Chinese tallow during the low temperature phase of preignition. The evolution of low molecular weight VOCs during the preignition stage of combustion greatly impacts the flammability of a plant. Very few other constituents and compounds degrade/evolve in this temperature range, an advantage that may prove STA/IR as a valid technique for analyzing why some species are more flammable than others focusing on the influence of the preignition VOCs evolved.

Evolved gas analysis of the preignition stage of invasive plants of East Texas

255th National Meeting (2018)

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