Nonequilibrium homogeneous condensation of gases in high-velocity flows

Abstract

This paper discusses questions of the homogeneous condensation of water vapors in high-velocity flows. Special attention is paid to agreement between the results of calculations and experimental data in a wide range of temperatures and pressures in the condensation zone and of the gradients of the gasdynamic parameters. The article proposes a relationship enabling a sufficiently exact determination of the value of the maximal supercooling. A parametric investigation is made, showing that the value of the maximal supercooling of the flow, as well as the drop size, are determined above all by the saturation temperature of the flow and the rate of change of the temperature along the line of flow in the condensation zone. The isentropic index of a mixture of gases and the concentration of the condensing component have a relatively weak effect on the value of the maximal supercooling, but the presence of other gases can appreciably affect the drop size. The Mach number of the flow with M > 1.5 has no effect on the value of the maximal supercooling and the drop size.