A novel molten tin reformer: Kinetics of oxygen dissolution in molten tin

The separation of oxygen atoms from a blend of oxygen and helium gases (10%O-2-He) and its dissolution in molten tin, in a novel molten tin reformer, when the gas was bubbled through molten tin at 973-1123 K was investigated. A lanthanum strontium manganite double-layered reference electrode, air reference gas and yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte potentiometric oxygen sensor was employed as an in situ online sensor for the measurement of oxygen concentration in molten tin. Solubility limit of oxygen, Gibbs energy change for tin oxide formation and oxygen dissolution kinetics were established. The entire course of oxygen dissolution in molten tin was described by a logistic model and the solubility of oxygen in molten tin in equilibrium with tin oxide in the temperature range 973-1123 K was ca. 0.019-0.107 atom%. The rate of oxygen dissolution was controlled by chemical reaction at the bubble vertical bar molten tin interface. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study investigated the dissolution of oxygen in molten tin using a novel molten tin reformer, with a lanthanum strontium manganite double-layered reference electrode and an oxygen sensor employed for measurement. The solubility limit of oxygen, Gibbs energy change for tin oxide formation, and oxygen dissolution kinetics were established. The rate of oxygen dissolution was controlled by chemical reaction at the bubble-molten tin interface.