On mass transport limitation to the rate of reaction of gases in liquid droplets

Abstract

Expressions are derived to readily compare contributions to overall mass transport limitation by gas-phase diffusion, interfacial transport and aqueous-phase diffusion to the overall rate of reaction in liquid droplets. The three criteria previously derived by Schwartz (1986, in Chemistry of Multiphase Atmospheric Systems, pp. 415–471, Springer) for the absence of mass transport limitation are shown to be special cases of the more general criterion obtained here. Sensitivity of the characteristic time to achieve steady state to the accommodation coefficient is examined. Inequalities are established that give lower and upper bounds of mass transport limitation in cases of non-first-order chemical kinetics.

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