ISSN:
0001-1541
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Chemical Engineering
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Most coals swell when heated, and their plastic properties change. These phenomena are explained qualitatively and semiquantitatively using a theory which combines classical nucleation theory and chemical kinetics.Classical bubble nucleation theory is modified to include cases where gases are formed in a liquid as a result of a chemical reaction. Part of the gas that is formed in the liquid escapes through the surface. However, the concentration of gas that remains in the solution increases until a critical concentration is reached. When the critical concentration of gas in the solution is reached, bubbles will begin to nucleate.The value of the rate of nucleation has a critical upper limit which is determined by the thermodynamic properties of the solution. However, the kinetics of the heat, momentum, or mass transfer may reduce the thermodynamic rate.The criteria to decide which transport mode limits the kinetics of the nucleation were derived and applied to melting coal. In coal, the rate of bubble nucleation appears to be limited by the rate of momentum transfer in the melt.The size of the melting coal particle determines the ratio of surface area to volume and thus affects the kinetics of the accumulation of gaseous reaction product in the melt. Thus, smaller rates of bubble nucleation will be observed in smaller coal particles (very viscous melts).Kinetic equations are derived and used to estimate the time that is required for bubbles to appear inside a coal particle. A general method is proposed to calculate the time-temperature contour at which nucleation will occur. The effect of the particle size on the time of nucleation is calculated. The results of the calculations yield values which compare very well with experimental results on coal.
Additional Material:
1 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aic.690240112
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