Kinetics and dynamics of mass-transfer-controlled mineral and bubble dissolution or growth: a review

In geology and daily life, kinetics and dynamics of particle (including crystal, droplet, and bubble) dissolution or growth in a liquid are a large class of often-encountered problems. The growth or dissolution of bubbles and drops are usually controlled by mass transfer, whereas the growth or dissolution of crystals may be controlled either by mass or heat transfer or by interface reaction. In this paper, recent advances in kinetics and dynamics of particle dissolution or growth controlled by mass transfer are reviewed, focusing on quantitative prediction models. Mass-transfer-controlled growth or dissolution can be further distinguished as diffusive (non-convective) or convective. For both types of particle dissolution or growth, approximate models are available for not only a single particle, but also multiple particles. These models have no free parameters. Hence, dissolution or growth rates can be calculated as long as the relevant physical and chemical properties are known, including: diffusivity in the liquid, viscosity of the liquid, and saturation condition between the particle and the liquid. Key-words: mass-transport control, crystal dissolution, crystal growth, bubble growth, droplet growth, droplet dissolution.