RE: law of mass action

["Michael J. Antal, Jr." <mantal@hawaii.edu>]

Dear Peter: since the VLE behavior of tars is not known, your explanation is
too simple.  In my opinion, the critical influence is the catalytic role of
charcoal (carbon) in cracking biomass vapors at moderate to high
temperatures and creating charcoal and light gases.  This explanation will
be discussed in more detail in a forthcoming review paper that Gronli and I
hope to submit sometime this Spring.  Regards, Michael.

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Verhaart [mailto:verhaarp@optusnet.com.au]
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2002 11:16 AM
To: Michael J. Antal, Jr.
Cc: stoves@crest.org
Subject: Re: law of mass action


Dear Michael,

         Even if the law of mass action does not apply, the more general
rule of suppressed evaporation under higher pressure would ensure that tars
and such will remain liquid at higher temperatures compared to atmospheric
pressure. As a result the tars decompose in or around the solid biomass
instead of escaping.
Is this too simple a model?
I am thinking of ways to make a simple pressure vessel that can stand up to
the temperatures and pressures and not blow up in my face.
Best regards.

Peter Verhaart

P.S. We were in Waikiki in September, I am so sorry I did not try to get
into touch.





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