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Phase Transitions and Near-Critical Phenomena

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Fluid Sciences and Materials Science in Space

Abstract

Gravity on earth limits the study of the gas-liquid critical point of pure fluids: the compressibility diverges, the fluid becomes stratified under its own weight and a bulk sample at its critical point cannot be obtained. Heating and cooling of near-critical fluids causes severe and prolonged convective instabilities as a consequence of the divergence of the expansibility. Studies on phase separation processes are similarly affected by convection and sedimentation.

A number of experimental investigations have taken advantage of the availability of a microgravity environment to overcome these limitations. They are reviewed in this paper and future prospects are assessed. Microgravity studies having the following objectives are justifiable: (i) testing of theoretical predictions and resolving discrepancies between predictions and experiment; (ii) understanding the mechanisms which precede the attainment of equilibrium near the critical point; (iii) evidencing the processes during phase separations when gravity-driven instabilities are eliminated; (iv) understanding the interfacial phenomena in reduced gravity and (v) understanding the physical chemistry of electrolyte solutions in compressible solvents.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d’Etudes Nucléaires, Saclay, F-91191, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France

    D. Beysens

  2. München 2, Technische Universität, Thermodynamik A, Postfach 202420, D-8000, Fed Rep of Germany

    J. Straub

  3. Central Electricity Research Laboratory, Kelvin Avenue, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT 22 7SE, UK

    D. J. Turner

Authors
  1. D. Beysens
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  2. J. Straub
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  3. D. J. Turner
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Microgravity Office, European Space Agency, 8-10 rue Mario-Nikis, 75738, Paris Cedex 15, France

    H. U. Walter

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© 1987 European Space Agency, Paris Cedex, France

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Beysens, D., Straub, J., Turner, D.J. (1987). Phase Transitions and Near-Critical Phenomena. In: Walter, H.U. (eds) Fluid Sciences and Materials Science in Space. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46613-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-46613-7_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-46615-1

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