Gas nucleus growth in high-viscosity liquid under strongly non-equilibrium conditions

The present paper describes the growth dynamics of a gas bubble formed as a result of nucleation in a highly-viscous gas-saturated liquid under rapid decompression. The mathematical model presented combines both dynamical and diffusion problems. The half-analytical solution for the dissolved gas concentration profile, bubble growth rate and the rate of bubble mass change is found. In contrast to previously reported solutions, it can be applied at all stages of the process in a wide range of supersaturation. The half-analytical solution is in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations and with known solutions for limiting cases.