Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Initiation of explosive boiling of a droplet with a shock wave

  • Originals
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The role of incident shock waves in the initiation of vapor explosions in volatile liquid hydrocarbons has been investigated. Experiments were carried out on single droplets (1–2 mm diameter) immersed in a host fluid and heated to temperatures at or near the limit of superheat. Shocks generated by spark discharge were directed at previously nonevaporating drops as well as at drops boiling stably at high pressure. Explosive boiling is triggered in previously nonevaporating drops only if the drop temperature is above a threshold temperature that is near the superheat limit. Interaction of a shock with a stably boiling drop immediately causes a transition to violent unstable boiling in which fine droplets are torn from the evaporating interface, generating a two-phase flow downstream. On the previously nonevaporating interface between the drop and the host liquid, multiple nucleation sites appear which grow rapidly and coalesce. Overpressures generated in the surrounding fluid during bubble collapse may reach values on the same level as the pressure jump across the shock wave that initiated the explosive boiling. A simple calculation is given, which suggests that shock focusing may influence the location at which unstable boiling is initiated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

c :

speed of sound

D :

drop diameter

n :

index of refraction

p :

pressure

R 0 :

initial bubble radius

t 0 :

bubble collapse time

T :

temperature

ρ :

density

θ :

angle relative to surface normal

i :

incident ray

r :

refracted ray

sl :

superheat limit conditions

v :

vapor

f :

host fluid

2 :

test fluid

∞ :

undisturbed conditions

References

  • Arakeri, V. H.; Catton, I.; Kastenberg, W. E. 1978: An experimental study of the molten glass/water thermal interaction under free and forced conditions. Nucl. Sci. Eng. 66, 153–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Bankoff, S. G. 1979: Vapor explosions. In: Two-phase flow dynamics. (eds. Bergles, A. E.; Ishigai, S.) pp. 271–283. New York: Hemisphere

    Google Scholar 

  • Board, S. J.; Farmer, C. L.; Poole, D. H. 1974: Fragmentation in thermal explosions. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 17, 331–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Corradini, M. L. 1981: Phenomenological modeling of the triggering phase of small-scale steam explosion experiments. Nucl. Sci. Eng. 78, 154–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Corradini, M. L. 1982: Analysis and modeling of large-scale steam explosion experiments. Nucl. Sci. Eng. 82, 429–447

    Google Scholar 

  • Fröhlich, G.; Anderle, M. 1980: Experiments for studying the initiation mechanisms for steam explosions. Institut für Kernenergetik und Energiesysteme, Rep. IKE2-51. Universität Stuttgart

  • Frost, D. L. 1988: Dynamics of explosive boiling of a droplet. Phys. Fluids 31, 2554–2561

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, D.; Sturtevant, B. 1986: Effects of ambient pressure on the instability of a liquid boiling explosively at the superheat limit. J. Heat Transfer 108, 418–424

    Google Scholar 

  • Früngel, B. A. 1965: High speed pulse technology. Vol. 1, p. 481. New York: Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Glass, I. I. 1974: Shock waves and man. Univ. Toronto Press, p. 3

  • Lauterborn, W.; Bolle, H. 1975: Experimental investigations of cavitation bubble collapse in the neighbourhood of a solid boundary. J. Fluid Mech. 72, 391–399

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, L. S.; Duda, P. M. 1982: Steam explosion experiments with single drops of iron oxide melted with a CO2 laser. High Temp. — High Pressures 14, 259–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayleigh, L. 1917: On the pressure developed in a liquid during the collapse of a spherical cavity. Philos. Mag. 34, 94–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R. C. 1983: Rapid phase transitions from liquid to vapor. Adv. Chem. Eng. 12, 105–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, J. E.; Sturtevant, B. 1982: Rapid evaporation at the superheat limit. J. Fluid Mech. 121, 379–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Weast, R. C. 1973: CRC handbook of chemistry and physics. Cleveland: CRC Press

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Dept., McGill University, H3A 2K6, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    D. L. Frost

Authors
  1. D. L. Frost
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Frost, D.L. Initiation of explosive boiling of a droplet with a shock wave. Experiments in Fluids 8, 121–128 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195785

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195785

Keywords

Search

Navigation