KINETICS OF CONDENSATION FROM THE VAPOR PHASE
Abstract
A theoretical and experimental investigation was made of the kinetics and mechanisms of condensation and particularly of homogeneous nucleation from the vapor phase. A brief review is given of the non-steady-state and steady-state theories of homogeneous nucleation and of particle growth from a simple vapor system containing only monomer molecules. New theoretical treatments for the rates of nucleation from a monomer-dimer mixture and from a generalized complex vapor system containing monomer, polymer, and a variety of chemical species were developed. The complex system should particularly apply to condensation in rocket nozzles. A theoretical treatment of the rate of simple condensation under nonisothermal constant-volume conditions was developed and solved on a computer for the condensation of water under typical conditions encountered in a cloud chamber or wind tunnel. A semi-quantitative theoretical insight into condensation in a nozzle was obtained by assuming no condensation and comparing the local residence time along the nozzle to the condensation kinetics predicted by assuming a simple vapor system and non-steady-state or steady-state nucleation kinetics. Reproducible experimental results were obtained in the investigation of the rate of condensation of water from a water vapor-inert gas mixture in a spring-operated cloud chamber. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 15, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0277751
Entities
People
- Welby G. Courtney
Organizations
- Texaco