Mass transport, bubble growth

The scope of kinetics includes (i) the rates and mechanisms of homogeneous chemical reactions (reactions that occur in one single phase, such as ionic and molecular reactions in aqueous solutions, radioactive decay, many reactions in silicate melts, and cation distribution reactions in minerals), (ii) diffusion (owing to random motion of particles) and convection (both are parts of mass transport diffusion is often referred to as kinetics and convection and other motions are often referred to as dynamics), and (iii) the kinetics of phase transformations and heterogeneous reactions (including nucleation, crystal growth, crystal dissolution, and bubble growth). 

The physical transport of mass is essential to many kinetic and d3mamic processes. For example, bubble growth in magma or beer requires mass transfer to bring the gas components to the bubbles radiogenic Ar in a mineral can be lost due to diffusion pollutants in rivers are transported by river flow and diluted by eddy diffusion. Although fluid flow is also important or more important in mass transfer, in this book, we will not deal with fluid flow much because it is the realm of fluid dynamics, not of kinetics. We will focus on diffusive mass transfer, and discuss fluid flow only in relation to diffusion. 

Nucleation is necessary for the new phase to form, and is often the most difficult step. Because the new phase and old phase have the same composition, mass transport is not necessary. However, for very rapid interface reaction rate, heat transport may play a role. The growth rate may be controlled either by interface reaction or heat transport. Because diffusivity of heat is much greater than chemical diffusivity, crystal growth controlled by heat transport is expected to be much more rapid than crystal growth controlled by mass transport. For vaporization of liquid (e.g., water vapor) in air, because the gas phase is already present (air), nucleation is not necessary except for vaporization (bubbling) beginning in the interior. Similarly, for ice melting (ice water) in nature, nucleation does not seem to be difficult. 

Phenomena that arise in these materials include conduction processes, mass transport by convection, potential field effects, electron or ion disorder, ion exchange, adsorption, interfacial and colloidal activity, sintering, dendrite growth, wetting, membrane transport, passivity, electrocatalysis, electrokinetic forces, bubble evolution, gaseous discharge (plasma) effects, and many others. 

Mass Transport during Bubble Growth and Evolution.331... 

---