The influence of condensation on the supersonic flow sizes

The role of condensation on the shape and size of a supersonic argon stream flowing from a nozzle into a rarefied space is considered. It is shown that with the growth of cluster sizes, both the primary “traditional” supersonic jet and the external cluster flow formed when heavy clusters penetrate through the lateral compressed layers of the primary flow into the surrounding background gas increase. The type of the correction factor in the well-known empirical formula proposed by Ashkenas and Sherman is found, in view of which this formula can be used under the conditions of clustered flows. The reasons for the impact of clusters on the gas dynamics of supersonic flow, as well as conditions and limitations of such an effect, are discussed.