THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS OF WATER NEAR FLUID-PHASE TRANSITIONS

摘要

Phase transitions are important phenomena in many water-based thermal systems. In this study, liquid-vapour phase transitions and critical-point behaviour are considered. Special attention is given to the van der Waals model, asymptotic critical scaling, thermodynamic potentials and steam properties. Models and data are shown for light water and heavy water. The relevance to nuclear-fission reactors is assessed.