Dynamic Viscosity of Compressed Water to 10 Kilobar and Steam to 1500°C

Abstract

Equations specifying the dynamic viscosity of compressed water and steam are presented. In the temperature range 0-100^cC the location of the inversion locus (mu) is defined for the first time with some precision. The low pressure steam results are re-correlated and a higher inversion temperature is indicated than that previously accepted. From 100 to 600°C values of viscosity are derived up to 3·5 kilobar and between 600 and 1500°C up to 1 kilobar. All the original observations in the gaseous phase have been corrected to a consistent set of densities and deviation plots for all the new correlations are given.

Although the equations give values within the tolerances of the International Skeleton Table it is clear that the range and tolerances of the latter could with some advantage be revised to give twice the existing temperature range and over 10 times the existing pressure range at low temperatures. A list of the observations used and their deviations from the correlating equations is available as a separate publication.