It is known that the application of an inappropriate kinetic method to the thermal analysis of complex systems can lead to misleading results. To avoid this problem, the new parameter 'instantaneous mean activation energy' is introduced and the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall method is assessed as a means of obtaining it. It is concluded that good results can generally be obtained by this method, provided that the various reactions occurring in the complex system are of the same type. The pyrolysis of coal is considered as a possible application of the method.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.