Depressurization (flashing) experiments through a ball valve were conducted with C6F14 for a large range of superheat. High-speed imaging shows a rapid and wide expansion of the jet, which evidences strong pressure gradients. Local measurements with phase detection optical probes and phase Doppler velocimetry were used to characterize size, speed, concentration and volumetric flux of drops as a function of superheat. The level of superheat has little influence on the vaporized fraction and on drop size and flux: this suggests that due to strong pressure gradients the liquid sees a much weaker level of superheat than the global superheat imposed on the system. Different scenarii are discussed to explain observations, in particular the fact that drop size remains approximately constant independent of the superheat. A scenario based on the existence of a boiling front seems to be the most consistent.
