Real gas dynamics of fluids with high specific heat

Results are reported from experimental and analytical studies of phenomena in retrograde liquids, which can undergo phase transitions without heat transfer to external sources. The substances have a high specific heat capacity and can thus be induced to undergo transitions by pressure changes alone. Models are defined for non-dimensional retrograde behavior, the heat capacity of a substance, and the enhancement of compressibility through increased heat capacity. The discussion is limited to liquid-gas transitions and to comparisons of the behavior of regular and retrograde liquids in the presence of rarefaction and compression. The unique behaviors of retrograde liquids are illustrated through experimentally-obtained photographs of liquefaction and evaporation waves, wave instability because of phase transition, and supersonic two-phase flow in perfluoro-dimethl-cyclohexane (PP3).