Brito, PauloDurães, LuísaCampos, JoséPortugal, António2010-01-092010-01-092007Brito, Paulo; Durães, Luísa; Campos, José; Portugal, António (2007). Simulation of Fe2O3/Al combustion: sensitivity analysis. Chemical Engineering Science. ISSN 0009-2509. 62:18-20, p. 5078-50830009-2509http://hdl.handle.net/10198/1253The sensitivity of a one-dimensional model, built to simulate the non-steady radial combustion propagation on thin circular samples of Fe2O3/aluminium thermite mixtures, was tested in relation to its least reliable thermophysical properties and to non-homogeneities in the initial reactant media. Zero order kinetics and conductive/radiative heat transfer were considered. The model is quite insensitive to variations of most of the properties studied. The highest sensitivity detected concerned aluminium conductivity. The non-uniform reactant mixing significantly affected the results, suggesting that experimental variability is partially explained by this feature.engCombustionFe2O3/Al thermiteMathematical modellingSimulationSensitivity analysisjournal article10.1016/j.ces.2007.01.070