Rapid Phase Transitions from Liquid to Vapor

Publisher Summary This chapter examines rapid phase transition (RPT) incidents in various industries. In each case, both laboratory-scale studies and industrial accidents are discussed. The analysis of industrial accidents provides an indication of the damage potential in an RPT, but, in many instances, data are fragmentary and definitive conclusions are difficult to draw. Whenever possible, the RPT criteria, developed from laboratory tests, are compared to conditions existing in industrial accidents. For the RPT criteria the system should involve two liquids which contact one another. RPTs are very difficult to achieve when a cold, volatile liquid contacts a hot, solid surface. The second RPT criterion relates to the temperature of the hot liquid. That is, this temperature must exceed a threshold value before an RPT is possible. The chapter summarizes the available facts for rapid-phase transitions in several systems of industrial interest: (1) liquefied natural gas(LNG)–water; (2) water–smelt (molten inorganic salts); (3) water–aluminum (molten); (4) water–reactive metals (for example, molten titanium); and (5) liquefied refrigerants–water (or oil)..

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