Two-dimensional analysis of SF6 condensation in a supersonic nozzle flow

One-dimensional analysis on the condensation of SF6 diluted with Ar in supersonic expansions well explains the experimental results obtained in a nozzle having a moderate opening angle. When the expansion rate in the nozzle increases, however, two-dimensional effects or non-equilibrium processes of the condensation become appreciable. We performed two-dimensional analysis on the condensation of SF6 in a supersonic nozzle based on the equilibrium theory of homogeneous nucleation, and revealed that the expansion rate along the nozzle axis is larger than that near the wall. (author)