Water vapor below 100 degrees?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of water in a pressurized closed system mixed with Boron Nitrite, specifically whether water can turn into vapor at temperatures below its boiling point under certain conditions. The context includes considerations of vapor pressure, headspace, and the implications for cooling systems in automobiles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if water will turn into vapor at 96 degrees Celsius in a pressurized system, seeking an explanation.
  • Another participant states that the presence of headspace is crucial, indicating that water can vaporize until the vapor pressure reaches equilibrium if headspace exists.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that nucleate boiling could occur in heat exchangers, implying that conditions may allow for vapor formation despite the temperature being below the boiling point.
  • A participant reiterates the importance of headspace, emphasizing that without it, water vapor is not expected to form.
  • The original poster confirms the presence of headspace and requests references for further reading on vapor pressure and equilibrium at depth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which water may vaporize, particularly regarding the significance of headspace and the potential for nucleate boiling. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights assumptions about system design, the role of pressure, and the definitions of vapor pressure and equilibrium, which may not be fully explored or agreed upon by participants.

maverick_sse
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hi all
My question is: In a pressurized (close to 1.1 atm; B.P. 109 degrees), closed system of water mixed (in a ratio of 1000 lts to 20lts) with Boron Nitrite (yes I am talking about cooling water system for automobiles) where the temp of the mixture does not exceed 96 degrees Celsius; will the water turn into gaseous vapor? If so why? please explain
 
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That depends entirely on whether there is any headspace in the closed system or not. If there is, some quantity of the water will turn to vapor until the vapor pressure in the headspace is at the equilibrium vapor pressure. If there is no headspace (the system is filled to the brim with liquid and then sealed), I would not expect there to be any water vapor at all.
 
If you are talking about heat exchangers then yes you could have nucleate boiling.
 
cjl said:
That depends entirely on whether there is any headspace in the closed system or not. If there is, some quantity of the water will turn to vapor until the vapor pressure in the headspace is at the equilibrium vapor pressure. If there is no headspace (the system is filled to the brim with liquid and then sealed), I would not expect there to be any water vapor at all.

hey cjl; thnx for the reply,
yes there is headspace, though the system is pressurised, there are voids (unavoidable), and room for collecting gases in the system and sent to expansion tanks. Kindly give me a reference where i can read about this vapor pressure and the equilibrium at depth.
thnx again.
 

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