The calculation of a water vapor outflow into vacuum has been performed using the direct simulation Monte Carlo with taking into account a condensation process. Two cluster-formation models were employed for simulation. The former is based on a kinetic approach, the latter is based on conclusions drawn from the modified classical nucleation theory. The analysis of physical adequacy of models and features of their program implementation was carried out. The simulation of spherical vapor expansion from an evaporating surface was performed over a range of Knudsen numbers corresponding to transient and near-continual flow regimes. The influence of a condensation process on gasdynamic flow parameters was analyzed. The effect of freezing of cluster mole-fractions when receding from the evaporating source was demonstrated.

Citation: N.Yu. Bykov, On simulation of cluster formation process under water vapor spherical expansion into vacuum, St. Petersburg Polytechnical State University Journal. Physics and Mathematics. 11 (1) (2018) 86 – 101. DOI: 10.18721/JPM.11109