DISSOLUTION OF SOLID SPHERES BY ISOTHERMAL FREE CONVECTION

When a solid sphere dissolves isothermally in a liquid solvent, the consequent changes in density set up convection currents that govern the rate of mass transfer. In this paper the boundary layer flow itself as well as the local and overall mass transfer has been studied for a wide range of the characteristic numbers: 2·0.103 < Gr < 2·0.106 and 3·9.102 < Sc < 1·1.104, obtained by using different dimensions, solvents and solids. The experimental results are compared with those of other workers and with theory. The dependency of the position of flow separation and minimum mass transfer on Sc and Gr has been studied. © 1969.