Computational analysis of CO2 emission, O2 depletion and thermal decomposition in a cylindrical pipe filled with reactive materials

Abstract

In this paper we present a nonlinear mathematical model for estimating the CO2 emission, O2 depletion and thermal decomposition in a stockpile of a reactive material undergoing an exothermic chemical reaction inside a long cylindrical pipe with convective heat and mass transfer characteristics at its surface. By employing a semi-implicit finite difference scheme, the problem is solved numerically. The graphical results are discussed in terms of the relationships between the processes that affect the oxidation reactions on the one hand and oxygen depletion as well as carbon dioxide emission on the other hand. The relationships between thermal stability and the processes that influence the oxidation reactions are also explored and discussed.