An experimental study on potassium condensation

The objective of the present study is to clarify the characteristics of metal condensation. In the present study, highly accurate measurements of condensation rate, condenser surface temperature and vapour pressure are rendered possible. In addition to the techniques for these measurements, the vaccum distillation method is adopted to ensure that the results are not affected by the presence of non-condensable gases. The conformity in the vapour flow field of the present apparatus to previous analyses is also assured. Measurements are made by using potassium for a vapour temperature rang from 553 K to 633 K. It is found that the present result is in agreement with the analysis of Labuntsov and Kryukov and the condensation coefficient is very close to unity. It is also concluded that Schrage's theory predicts higher condensation rates than those in actual cases. (author)