Author response to the comments by P. Calvini regarding the article “On the degradation evolution equations of cellulose” by H.-Z. Ding and Z. D. Wang

Excerpt

The viewpoints of Ding and Wang (2007) and Calvini (2007) can be briefly summarized. The article by Ding & Wang seeks to develop the degradation evolution equations of cellulose that will closely track experimental results over a long-time period under practical operating conditions; while Calvini seeks to develop a kinetic model based on purely theoretical grounds of degradation of linear polymers without any reference to experimental results. In brief, Ding & Wang wish to modify the kinetic theory of degradation of linear polymers to fit experimental results of cellulose degradation while Calvini appears to aim for the converse. Calvini has asserted that there is nothing new in the kinetic model developed in the paper and even suggests that the degradation evolution equations are incorrect. This is manifestly untrue, for in the paper it is quite clear that the degradation evolution equations developed track exceedingly closely the experimental results. Consequently, this assertion by Calvini is totally unsubstantiated. …