Condensation of water via rarefaction wave

Condensation of water vapor via the rarefaction wave in a shock tube was investigated by measuring pressure as a function of time. At high temperature (260°K), condensation could be adequately explained by the classical nucleation theory combined with a small accommodation coefficient for particle growth. However, at low temperature (230°K), condensation was considerably faster than permitted by classical nucleation, and the classical theory of nucleation is therefore considered to be invalid. Condensation shocks due to the coupling of gasdynamics with condensation kinetics (heat release rate) were also observed.