Kinetic methods, advantages temperature control

However, it is these very procedures which exploit the unique capability of DSC. There has been something of a drive towards obtaining kinetic constants from a single dynamic experiment. Although the results obtained in this way may fulfil a useful function further tests are invariably needed to explore the possibility of limitations to their applicability. Advantages have been claimed for sample controlled kinetic experiments in which the experimental conditions are varied in order to maintain the rate of reaction constant. This has proved a popular method of temperature control in thermogravimetry although in principle it can be applied to DSC. 

Both of these in situ devices use substantially less solution (volumes of solution samples for each kinetic run are usually of the order of a few cm3) than a typical piston-cylinder apparatus. The pill-box cell method has the advantage that the cell can be filled in an appropriate glove box for oxygen-sensitive samples or for nonaqueous solvent-based systems that are sensitive to moisture. Temperature control is exerted by fluid circulating through the metal block. 

The study and control of a chemical process may be accomplished by measuring the concentrations of the reactants and the properties of the end-products. Another way is to measure certain quantities that characterize the conversion process, such as the quantity of heat output in a reaction vessel, the mass of a reactant sample, etc. Taking into consideration the special features of the chemical molding process (transition from liquid to solid and sometimes to an insoluble state), the calorimetric method has obvious advantages both for controlling the process variables and for obtaining quantitative data. Calorimetric measurements give a direct correlation between the transformation rates and heat release. This allows to monitor the reaction rate by observation of the heat release rate. For these purposes, both isothermal and non-isothermal calorimetry may be used. In the first case, the heat output is effectively removed, and isothermal conditions are maintained for the reaction. This method is especially successful when applied to a sample in the form of a thin film of the reactant. The temperature increase under these conditions does not exceed IK, and treatment of the experimental results obtained is simple the experimental data are compared with solutions of the differential kinetic equation. 

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