Thermodynamics of the Adiabatic Expansion of a Mixture of Two Phases

Abstract

The thermodynamics of the adiabatic expansion of a mixture of two phases capable of interchanging heat and matter across the phase boundary is presented. The law of conservation of energy is applied to each phase considered as an open system and to the mixture of phases considered as a closed system. Expressions for the entropy production resulting from internal irreversible processes demonstrate the difference between adiabatic and isentropic changes and specify conditions under which the expansion of a closed two-phase system is isentropic. Three such possible isentropic processes are defined, and expressions are derived for the temperature-pressure-volume states achieved in them. The thermodynamic treatment is useful in studies of the adiabatic release of a shock-induced mixture of phases.

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