Vapor Condensation in a Shock Tube; Condensation Coefficient for sec-Butyl Alcohol

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Abstract
The condensation of sec-butyl alcohol vapor has been observed in a glass shock tube instrumented to observe the variations in monochromatic light transmittance caused by the growth of a liquid film of sec-butyl alcohol on the shock-tube walls. The film thickness was obtained from the transmittance. The gas pressure during condensation was monitered by strain gages, and the wall temperature and shock-wave velocity were measured with the resistance gages. The observed supersaturation ratios at the liquid—vapor interface ranged from 1.1 to 3.2 and the observed net condensation rates ranged from −0.015 to −0.67 g cm−2·sec−1. The interface temperatures ranged from 25° to 50°C. The condensation process was analyzed in terms of an equilibrium condensation coefficient. The gas at the interface was assumed to be uniform, in motion toward the interface, and have a Maxwellian velocity distribution. Using the measured values of net condensation rate, pressure, and temperature, the calculated condensation coefficients were not constant, but varied linearly with net condensation rate. When extrapolated to zero condensation rate, the condensation coefficient had a most probable value of 0.25 with a 65% probability of lying between 0.02 and 0.08. The value of the condensation coefficient calculated by the method of Mortenson and Eyring is in good agreement with the above value.

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