▪ I. devolatilize
see de- II. 1.
▪ II. devolatilize, v. (Formerly at de- II. 1.) Geol.
(diːˈvɒlətɪlaɪz, -vəˈlæt-)
[f. de- II. 1 + volatilize v. (or volatile n. and a. + -ize).]
trans. To make less volatile; esp. to remove the volatile constituents of (a mineral).
| 1868 Birm. Jrnl. Sept. 12 The oil..has been devolatilised, so that all danger of explosion is annihilated. 1913 Bull. U.S. Bureau of Mines No. 38. 104 The heat given off by the cooling matter of the dike is insufficient to raise the temperature of the contact rocks to the point of devolatilizing the coal. 1974 Sci. Amer. Mar. 22/3 The coal is devolatilized, or distilled, either in the gasifier or in a separate vessel. |
Hence devolatilized ppl. a., devolatilizing vbl. n.(stresses variable); deˌvolatiliˈzation n. (also devoˌlat-), the process of losing volatile constituents.
| 1908 Econ. Geol. III. 314 The association of devolatilized fuels with jointing and highly developed cleavage is more than accidental. Ibid., Local devolatilization, or coal metamorphism, is occasionally observed in immediate proximity to a dyke. 1928 Bull. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists XII. 801 Apparently increase of depth of cover offers no difficulties to the escape of volatile constituents, thereby retarding the devolatilization of the coals. 1949 Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. CIV. 417 A stress- or shear-plane of such importance that its devolatilizing effect is registered by all seams throughout the main part of the coalfield. 1967 Industr. & Engin. Chem.: Fund. Feb. 20 (heading) Burning rates of devolatilized coal particles. 1982 Nature 28 Oct. 807/2 Substantial devolatilization and reduction is normal in the production of terrestrial tektites. |