The thermal decomposition of pecan shells within the temperature range of 30 degrees C to 800 degrees C and at heating rates of 5 to 30 degrees C/min was studied by the use of TG-FTIR. Friedman's isoconversional method was used for kinetic analysis of the thermal decomposition process. Differential scanning calorimetry was also used to quantify the amount of energy required to thermally degrade pecan shells. The thermal decomposition process was found to compose of four stages-moisture evaporation, hemicelluloses decomposition, cellulose decomposition and lignin degradation. The peak temperatures for hemicelluloses (275 to 315 degrees C) and cellulose (348 to 385 degrees C) degradation increased with heating rate. The major gases given off were identified to be carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, acetic acid and ethanol. The amount of energy required to thermally degrade pecan shells was about 30% of the energy content of the shells. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.