A new method to measure homogeneous nucleation rates in shock tubes
Abstract
The centered expansion wave of a shock tube is utilized to expand and supersaturate a condensable vapor in small concentration in an inert carrier gas. The supersaturated state, located at the rear of the expansion wave, is preserved for a controlled period and then terminated by a recompressing shock wave. During the period of supersaturation, condensation nuclei are formed homogeneously. The nucleation rate is measured as a function of supersaturation by a Mie-light scattering technique. The method is tested using water and the results are compared with classical nucleation theory.
- Publication:
-
Experiments in Fluids
- Pub Date:
- September 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF00272013
- Bibcode:
- 1983ExFl....1..143P
- Keywords:
-
- Condensation Nuclei;
- Mie Scattering;
- Nucleation;
- Shock Tubes;
- Supersaturation;
- Elastic Waves;
- Vapors;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer