This work confirms the utility of a composite kinetic processing technique based on the complementary use of both isoconversional method and master-plot methods in ascribing the kinetic triplet (conversion model, pre-exponential factor and activation energy) of monitored nonisothermal combustion of synthetic porous soot in air by thermogravimetry at different heating rates. Firstly, the activation energy value was obtained (153 kJ mol(-1)) from the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose isoconversional method. Secondly, the appropriate conversion model of the process was selected by means of the master-plot method. The combustion of the soot was found to follow a mechanism based on surface nucleation with subsequent movement of the resulting surface, which was consistent with the penetration of oxygen through the porous structure of the solid sample. Comparing both experimental and calculated thermoanalytical curves at constant heating rate assessed the adequate consistency of the kinetic triplet. Further, the combustion process was isothermally simulated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.