Studies of Condensation Shock Waves : Part 1, Mechanism of their Formation

Abstract

An expansion of moist air or steam in a supersonic nozzle gives rise to nonequilibrium condensation phenomenon, and a condensation shock wave appears in the supersonic section of the nozzle. In the present paper, a condensation shock wave was observed optically by a method in the case of moist air expanding in a supersonic nozzle, and the effect of the relative humidity of moist air on the shape of a condensation shock wave was discussed. Furthermore, a flow of moist air expanding in a supersonic nozzle was analyzed by the method of characteristics. Based on these experimental and calculated results, the mechanism of formation of a condensation shock wave was clarified.