Liquefaction

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Not to be confused with Liquidation.
In materials science, liquefaction[1] is a process that generates a liquid from a solid or a gas[2] or that generates a non-liquid phase which behaves in accordance with fluid dynamics.[3] It occurs both naturally and artificially. As an example of the latter, a "major commercial application of liquefaction is the liquefaction of air to allow separation of the constituents, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and the noble gases."[4] Another is the conversion of solid coal into a liquid form usable as a substitute for liquid fuels.[5]

Geology[edit]

Main article: Soil liquefaction
The effects of soil liquefaction, seen after 2011 Canterbury earthquake
In geology, soil liquefaction refers to the process by which water-saturated, unconsolidated sediments are transformed into a substance that acts like a liquid, often in an earthquake.[6]
In a related phenomena, liquefaction of bulk materials in cargo ships may cause a dangerous shift in the load.[7][8]

Physics and chemistry[edit]

Main articles: liquefaction of gases and melting
In physics and chemistry, the phase transitions from solid and gas to liquid (melting and condensation, respectively) may be referred to as liquefaction. The melting point (sometimes called liquefaction point) is the temperature and pressure at which a solid becomes a liquid.
In commercial and industrial situations, the process of condensing a gas to liquid is sometimes referred to as liquefaction of gases.

Coal[edit]

Main article: Coal liquefaction
Coal liquefaction is the production of liquid fuels from coal using a variety of industrial processes.

Dissolution[edit]

Main article: dissolution (chemistry)
Liquefaction is also used in commercial and industrial settings to refer to mechanical dissolution of a solid by mixing, grinding or blending with a liquid.

Food preparation[edit]

Main article: blender
In kitchen or laboratory settings, solids may be chopped into smaller parts sometimes in combination with a liquid, for example in food preparation or laboratory use. This may be done with a blender, or liquidiser in British English.

Biology[edit]

Main articles: liquefactive necrosis and semen analysis
In biology, liquefaction often involves organic tissue turning into a more liquid-like state. For example, liquefactive necrosis in pathology,[9] or liquefaction as a parameter in semen analysis.[10]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Jump up^ Some authors contend that there is a distinction between liquefaction and liquification (which is more commonly considered a misspelling), with the latter term applying only to processes involving heat. Ray Knox, David Stewart, The New Madrid Fault Finders Guide (1995), p. 36.
  2. Jump up^ "Pharmeceutical Processes: Processes of Liquefaction", The Pharmaceutical Era (April 20, 1899), Vol. 21, p. 503, stating that "[by] a process of liquefaction is meant any process the effect of which is to cause a solid or gaseous body to assume or pass into the liquid state."
  3. Jump up^ "Liquefaction", The American Heritage Science Dictionary(2005), p. 363.
  4. Jump up^ Marshall Cavendish Corporation Staff, How It Works: Science and Technology (2003), p. 64.
  5. Jump up^ James G. Speight, The Chemistry and Technology of Coal, Third Edition (2012), p. 545.
  6. Jump up^ USGS. "About Liquefaction". Archived from the original on 2013-04-12.
  7. Jump up^ Gourvenec, Susan (2 September 2018). "Mystery of the cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies". Ars Technica. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  8. Jump up^ Marcolini, Barbara; Koettl, Christoph. "How the Indonesia Earthquake Made Soil Flow Like Water". NYT (International).
  9. Jump up^ Robbins and Cotran: Pathologic Basis of Disease, 8th Ed. 2010. Pg. 15
  10. Jump up^ Gardner, Kavid (2001). Textbook of Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratory and Clinical Perspectives. Taylor and Francis. p. 63. ISBN 9780415448949. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2013-11-03.

External links[edit]