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Published on: January 25, 2012
Convective mixing induced by acid-base reactions.
C Almarcha1, Y R'Honi, Y De Decker
1IRPHE, UMR 6594, CNRS, Université d'Aix-Marseille 1, 49, rue F. Joliot Curie, 13384 Marseille, France. almarcha@irphe.univ-mrs.fr
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|July 29, 2011
Summary
Density variations from acid-base neutralization reactions drive fluid mixing and instability. These buoyancy-driven phenomena depend on reactant type and concentration, not temperature.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Chemical reactions
- Hydrodynamic instabilities
Background:
- Miscible solutions react, causing density changes.
- Density variations can induce convective motion and mixing in a gravity field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally and theoretically characterize buoyancy-driven instabilities.
- To investigate instabilities induced by strong acid-strong base neutralization in aqueous solutions.
Main Methods:
- Experimental characterization of fluid patterns.
- Theoretical analysis of hydrodynamic instabilities.
- Investigation of differential diffusion effects.
Main Results:
- Observed diverse patterns in buoyancy-driven instabilities.
- Demonstrated pattern dependence on reactant type and concentration.
- Identified classical hydrodynamic instabilities as the primary drivers.
Conclusions:
- Acid-base neutralization reactions in solution can trigger significant hydrodynamic instabilities.
- Differential diffusion plays a key role, while thermal effects are minor.
- Reactant choice and concentration are critical factors in pattern formation.
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