Heterogeneous thermochemical decomposition under direct irradiation (Q597947)

The chemical process of endothermic decomposition of CaCO\(_3\) into CaO and CO\(_2\) is analyzed by using 3D formulation of the coupled problem of thermal radiation, conduction, and natural convection heat transfer. The chemical kinetics is described by using a contracting geometry rate law and an Arhenius temperature dependence law. The interfacial kinetic parameters are determined by thermogravimetric measurements. The radiative heat transfer inside the porous sample is determined assuming the Rosseland diffusion approximation for an optically thick medium. The directional distribution of the radiative heat flux incident on the sample is modeled by the Monte-Carlo ray-tracing method. The spectral distribution is assumed equivalent to Planck's blackbody distribution corresponding to an approximation of the solar spectrum. The transient coupled problem is solved by the finite volume technique. Comparison of computational results for the temperature and reaction extent with experimental measurements is given too.