SEMIPHENOMENOLOGICAL KINETIC-THEORY OF BINARY NUCLEATION

An effective quasi-one-component model for homogenous vapour-liquid nu cleation of non-ideal binary mixtures in the regime of retrograde cond ensation is proposed. A transformation from the original binary to an effective unary system is accompanied by the appearance of an extra de pendence of properties on cluster size. For the Gibbs free energy of c luster formation a generalized Fisher droplet model is formulated and applied at the effective saturation point within the framework of kine tic approach. The theory contains no adjustable parameters. The mixtur e n-nonane/methane is studied at conditions corresponding to the retro grade condensation (pressures > 10 bar). Calculated nucleation rates a gree well with the recent experimental data whereas predictions of the classical binary-nucleation theory are 3-4 orders of magnitude lower.