Article,
Homogeneous nucleation of n-propanol, n-butanol, and n-pentanol in a supersonic nozzle
Journal of Chemical Physics, 122 (9): 094512--1 (March 2005)
Abstract
We have measured the nucleation conditions of n-propanol, n-butanol, and n-pentanol in a supersonic Laval nozzle, and estimated that the maximum nucleation rate J is 5x10(16) cm(-3) s(-1) with an uncertainty factor of 2. Plotting the vapor pressures p(Jmax) and temperatures T-Jmax corresponding to the maximum nucleation rate as ln(p) versus 1/T, produces a series of well separated straight lines. When these values are scaled by their respective critical parameters, p(c) and T-c, the data lie close to a single straight line. Comparing the experimental data to the predictions of classical nucleation theory reveals much higher experimental rates, and the deviation increases with increasing alcohol chain length and decreasing temperature. A scaling analysis in terms of Hale's scaled nucleation model Phys. Rev. A 33, 4156 (1986); Metall. Trans. A 23, 1863 (1992), clearly shows that our data are consistent with experimental nucleation rates measured using other devices that have characteristic rates many orders of magnitude lower. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.
