EFFECT OF SURFACE TENSION ON DISSOLUTION OF SOLIDS IN LIQUIDS IN LAMINAR FLOW-ANALYSIS

Surface tension effects are examined on the rate of dissolution of a solid surface in a thin liquid film flowing past it in laminar motion. The problem is formulated by considering the appropriate equation of motion and the diffusion equation. It was found that when the presence of the solute alters the interfacial tension between the outer surface of the liquid and the surrounding gas, the rate of dissolution may be appreciably affected, particularly at low values of the Reynolds number. When the interfacial tension increases with increasing solute concentration the dissolution rate is enhanced, whereas reduction in the surface tension by the solute leads to decrease in the dissolution rate. These effects are thought to be large enough to be measured experimentally and the findings of the paper may be relevant to numerous corrosion problems. © 1969.