Heat generation associated with pressure-induced infiltration in a nanoporous silica gel

As a liquid moves in the nanopores of a silica gel, because of the hysteresis of sorption behavior, significant energy dissipation can take place. Through a calometric measurement, the characteristics of associated heat generation are investigated. The temperature variation increases with the mass of silica gel, which consists of a reversible part and an irreversible part. The residual temperature change is about 30% to 60% of the maximum temperature increase and can be accumulated as multiple loading cycles are applied.