Experimental and theoretical studies of multicomponent vapor condensation. Final report, 15 May 1992--15 May 1994

This report describes the results of experimental and theoretical studies of nucleation and condensation in multicomponent gas mixtures conducted over the past ten years. The program goals were to: (1) improve basic understanding of nucleation and droplet growth, (2) stringently test theories of nucleation at high nucleation rates and under nonisothermal conditions, (3) develop improved theories where needed, (4) enlarge the data base for systems of both fundamental and practical interest, and (5) provide reliable means for predicting the behavior of mixtures in practical devices and in the atmosphere. Condensible vapors, mixed with a carrier gas, were cooled in a supersonic Laval nozzle to obtain high nucleation rates under steady state conditions. Interferometry and laser light scattering were used to detect the `onset` of condensation and to monitor subsequent droplet growth. Theoretical calculations of the droplet size distribution along the flow axis were performed to assess competing theories of nucleation and droplet growth. This report briefly summarizes the accomplishments of the first eight years. There follows a more detailed summary of the program`s final two years, and a series of appendices describing each of the studies of the final two years in considerably more detail