The Effects of Burning and Mold Growth on the Chemical Composition of Firelog Fuels |
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| Authors: | Kelsey Winters MSFS Michelle Evans MSFS |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA;2. Forensic Science Laboratory, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ammendale, MD |
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| Abstract: | Firelogs consist of a cellulosic material, such as sawdust or wood particles, and a combustible binder (fuel). Historically, the fuel typically consisted of a petroleum‐based (paraffin) wax; however, some manufacturers now include vegetable oils in their firelog fuels. To determine fuel composition, fuels from various brands of firelogs were extracted and analyzed by high‐temperature gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HTGC‐MS) and a GC‐MS with a polar column specific for the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Firelogs were also burned, allowed to grow mold, and analyzed by GC‐MS to determine the effects that burning and mold growth have on firelog fuel composition. Mold did not tend to preferentially degrade any of the fatty acids. Burning caused a decrease in the relative amount of all of the fatty acids present in the vegetable oil fuel, with a greater effect on unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science fire debris firelogs gas chromatography– mass spectrometry petroleum products vegetable oils |
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