Kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane on activated gamma alumina

The breakthrough curves obtained were fitted with a kinetic model that assumed a first order surface reaction, shrinking core particle kinetics, and plug flow in the reactor. For temperatures between 333 and 384 °C, the model fit the data well, most especially near the breakthrough point. Experimental conditions had no effect on quality of fit. At 307 °C, the model was inadequate; possibly due to D4 physisorption or shrinking core kinetics assumptions not holding true anymore.