Multicomponent nucleation and droplet growth in natural gas

The first quantitative experimental results are presented on homogeneous nucleation and droplet growth in a multicomponent gas-vapor mixture. Using the pulse-expansion wave tube technique, we investigated the condensation behavior of natural gas consisting of over 30 components. Data were obtained in the pressure range between 6 and 24 bar and at temperatures ranging from 221 to 237 K. The observed droplet growth rates are quantitatively explained using a multicomponent model for diffusion controlled growth. The nucleation rate data are for the moment mainly presented as a challenge to theoreticians, although some qualitative arguments are presented that could be helpful in the interpretation. The data appear to agree at least qualitatively with theoretical values (according to the revised binary classical nucleation theory) for a mixture of n-octane and methane, a model mixture which also shows the same macroscopic phase behavior as natural gas. ©1998 American Institute of Physics