Real Gas Corrections in Shock Tube Studies at High Pressures

Abstract

AbstractReaction kinetics studies at high pressure in shock tubes can be significantly affected by the influence of real gas effects on state variables. The effect on the temperature, pressure, and density can be calculated by solving the shock wave equations using real gas equations of state (EOS). We present a method to solve the shock wave equations in a straightforward way by taking advantage of the recently‐developed real gas properties package by Schmitt et al. (U. of Iowa Rep. UIME PPB 93–006, 1994). The solutions of these equations for shock waves in pure argon are presented. We find that the reflected shock temperatures and densities can be significantly different from those predicted by using an ideal gas EOS. Using the Peng‐Robinson EOS, for example, the calculated real gas reflected shock temperature is less than the ideal gas temperature by 83 K per 1000 atm. An illustrative example of the effect of real gas corrections on a rate coefficient determination is also presented.