Crystalline decrepitation relevant to solute particles from boiling solutions (volcanic steam clouds)

Charged solute particles are known to be emitted from boiling solutions, in particular saline solutions and sea water. In the case of Leidenfrost boiling, decrepitation of precipitated solute was found to be an important factor. Conditions for the decrepitation of sodium chloride have been examined. The pressure in occluded brine has been estimated and comments are made on the main reasons for decrepitation. The subject is relevant to solute particle production from boiling associated, for example, with solution contact charging related to volcanic electricity.