Instability in Ostwald ripening processes

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a large dimensionless parameter causes instability in the supersaturation evolution during Ostwald ripening, highlighting the effects of equation stiffness on process stability.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that the stiffness caused by a large parameter leads to instability in Ostwald ripening, supported by numerical simulations.

Findings

Supersaturation evolution becomes unstable with large dimensionless parameters.

Numerical simulations demonstrate the instability.

Stiffness of the governing equations is a key factor.

Abstract

There is a dimensionless parameter which enters into the equation for the evolution of supersaturation in Ostwald ripening processes. This parameter is typically a large number. Here it is argued that the consequent stiffness of the equation results in the evolution of the supersaturation being unstable. The instability is evident in numerical simulations of Ostwald ripening.