Wood-burning processes in variable oxygen atmospheres: Thermolysis, fire, and smoke release behavior

•The thermolysis/burning behavior of wood under different oxygen concentrations is studied.•The oxygen concentrations affect the wood thermolysis and then influence the release of combustible fuels.•A controlled atmosphere smoke chamber (CASC) is constructed to analyze the heat and smoke release.•The higher the oxygen concentration, the more fully the wood burns and the higher the heat release.•The effect of variable oxygen concentration during wood-burning processes is revealed.