| Abstract: | The mechanism of the suppression of vapor explosions by adding inversely soluble polymers in water is studied. Vapor explosion experiments and quench experiment are conducted using a silver test piece. Polymetric solution (polyethylene oxide), of concentrations from 0 to 500 wppm, whose normalized viscosity (by water) varies from 1.00 to 2.00, is used. No vapor explosion is observed in the aqueous polymer solution at a concentration higher than 200 wppm. Quench experiments using the silver test piece submerged in the polymer solution and water are performed in order to examine the stability of film boiling. The suppression of the vapor film collapse is attributed to the precipitation of polyethylene as a gel around the vapor film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(4): 297–306, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.10037 |
