Asymptotic solution of shock tube flows with homogeneous condensation

Abstract

The asymptotic solution of shock tube flows with homogeneous condensation is presented for both smooth, or subcritical, flows and flows with an embedded shock wave, or supercritical flows. For subcritical flows an analytical expression, independent of the particular theory of homogeneous condensation to be employed, that determines the condensation wave front in the rarefaction wave is obtained by the asymptotic analysis of the rate equation along pathlines. The complete solution is computed by an algorithm which utilizes the classical nucleation theory and the Hertz–Knudsen droplet growth law. For supercritical flows four distinct flow regimes are distinguished along pathlines intersecting the embedded shock wave analogous to supercritical nozzle flows. The complete global solution for supercritical flows is discussed only qualitatively owing to the lack of a shock fitting technique for embedded shock waves. The results of the computations obtained by the subcritical algorithm show that most of the experimental data available exhibit supercritical flow behaviour and thereby the predicted onset conditions in general show deviations from the measured values. The causes of these deviations are reasoned by utilizing the qualitative global asymptotic solution of supercritical flows.