Supercalentación

Supercalentación, also known as superheating, is a phenomenon where a liquid is heated above its boiling point without boiling. This occurs when a liquid is heated in a smooth, clean container and lacks nucleation sites, which are imperfections or surfaces where bubbles can form. Without these sites, the liquid can reach temperatures significantly higher than its normal boiling point.

When a nucleation site is introduced, such as by stirring the liquid or adding an impurity, the superheated liquid can suddenly and violently boil. This rapid boiling can cause the liquid to erupt or spray out of its container, a phenomenon known as a boiling crisis or flash boiling. This can be hazardous, especially with flammable liquids.

Supercalentación is important in various industrial processes, including steam generation in power plants and chemical reactions. Understanding and controlling supercalentación is crucial for ensuring safety and efficiency in these applications. Precautions are often taken in laboratories and industrial settings to prevent uncontrolled superheating, such as using specially designed vessels or adding boiling chips to provide nucleation sites.