Effect of Activation Energies on Thermal Explosion in the Interior of the Earth

Abstract

Problem statement: Literatures have shown that thermal processes in the interior of the earth and the classical thermal explosion are analogous and that combustion processes are characterized by ignition and explosion. The heat released during the thermal explosion that occurs in the interior of the earth requires more attention. Approach: The study investigated the role of activation energies ratio in the thermal explosion that occurs in the earth interior during gravitational differentiation. The study examined the effects of activation energies on the unsteady, steady and homogenous reactions of the resulting energy equation and provided the numerical and exact solutions of the equations. Results: The results showed that activation energies ratio has different implication in terms of heat release and established the criteria for the blow up to occur in two different homogenous reactions. It was observed that an increase in activation energies ratio increased the maximum temperature of the reactions but reduced the ignition time of the homogenous states. Conclusion: The results imply that for any non-zero second activation energy, ignition time lowers and more heat are released.