Meso-Scale Phase-Field Modeling of Microstructural Evolution in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Mechanical milling, chemical attrition and various leaching processes modify the surface and physical properties of ores, and ultimately influence their behaviour during processing. Measurements of surface area and porosity can assist in understanding the behaviour of, and optimizing the upgrading of, finely divided problematic ores. During the upgrading of titanium-bearing mineral sands, iron-rich coatings on the mineral particles often impair the concentration of individual components. Owing to their porosity, these coatings have a significant surface area compared with the other sand constituents. The effect of leaching of ilmenite samples is described in terms of surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution. These physical measurements show that the oxide coatings are eroded into mesoporous regions in the diameter range 50 to 700 Å, and become weakened. This structural weakening enables the coatings to be easily removed by attritioning. © 1994.