A comprehensive analysis of multicomponent droplet vaporization at near critical conditions has been carried out. The model is based on complete time-dependent conservation equations, with a full account of variable properties and vapor-liquid interfacial thermodynamics. The influences of various high-pressure phenomena (including ambient gas solubility, property variation, thermodynamic non-ideality, and transient diffusion) on the vaporization mechanism are examined systematically. As a specific example, problems involving n-paraffin fuel droplets in nitrogen gas are studied. Results indicate that the ambient gas pressure has a profound impact on the vaporization process, especially for the conditions under which the droplet reaches its critical state. Owing to its inability to accurately describe droplet behavior, the conventional low-pressure model may erroneously overpredict the evaporation rate significantly.
Hsieh, K.C., Shuen, J.S., Yang, V., Droplet Vaporization in High Pressure Environments I: Near Critical Conditions, Combustion Science and Technology, Gordon and Breach, Great Britain, Vol. 76, pp. 111-132, 1991.