Modeling Mass and Energy Transport in Thermodynamically Coupled Reactions

We develop and analyze models for mass and energy transport in non-adiabatic self-propagating reactions. The reaction-diffusion systems under consideration consist of thermodynamically coupled reactions that may also be chemically coupled. Each reaction can be modeled as having either an exponential or a step-function temperature dependence. Parameters such as thermal conductivity and heat-loss through environmental and chemical sinks are explored in both analytic and numerical approaches. The results are compared with experimental systems and suggest a different set of thermal processes than previously considered. The models are applicable to a wide range of reactions, including the combustion synthesis of nano-scale powders for catalytic applications.