liquefaction

[lik-wuh-fak-shuh n] /ˌlɪk wəˈfæk ʃən/
noun
1.
the act or process of liquefying or making liquid.
2.
the state of being liquefied.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English < Late Latin liquefactiōn- (stem of liquefactiō) a melting, equivalent to Latin liquefact(us) (past participle of liquefacere to melt, liquefy) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
liquefactive, adjective
Can be confused
evanescence, evaporation, liquefaction, melting, thawing, transpiration, vaporization.
Examples from the web for liquefaction
  • Earthquake liquefaction has been sorely misunderstood.
  • It's a conjunction of phenomenon as the main phenomenon is called the liquefaction of land.
  • Sintering is the process of turning powder into solid using heat, but without liquefaction.
  • For example, gasoline produced via direct liquefaction of coal has a high aromatic content, giving it a high octane rating.
  • liquefaction problems in past earthquakes are not as significant as shaking, but can cause extensive damage.
  • How to avoid putting structure at risk of liquefaction.
  • Indirect coal liquefaction requires first gasifying the coal into a syngas.
  • References cited relating to liquefaction research.
Word Origin and History for liquefaction
n.

late 15c., from French liquéfaction, from Late Latin liquefactionem (nominative liquefactio), noun of action from past participle stem of liquefacere "to make liquid, melt" (see liquefy).

liquefaction in Medicine

liquefaction liq·ue·fac·tion (lĭk'wə-fāk'shən)
n.

  1. The process of liquefying.

  2. The state of being liquefied.

liquefaction in Science
liquefaction
  (lĭk'wə-fāk'shən)   

  1. Chemistry The act or process of turning a gas into a liquid. Liquefaction is usually achieved by compression of vapors (provided the temperature of the gas is below the critical temperature), by refrigeration, or by adiabatic expansion.

  2. Geology The process by which sediment that is very wet starts to behave like a liquid. Liquefaction occurs because of the increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress between solid particles generated by the presence of liquid. It is often caused by severe shaking, especially that associated with earthquakes.


Encyclopedia Article for liquefaction

change of a solid into a liquid when heat is applied. In a pure crystalline solid, this process occurs at a fixed temperature called the melting point (q.v.); an impure solid generally melts over a range of temperatures below the melting point of the principal component. Amorphous (non-crystalline) substances such as glass or pitch melt by gradually decreasing in viscosity as temperature is raised, with no sharp transition from solid to liquid

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