A simple set of rate equations is proposed to describe nucleation and growth of droplets in metastable, near-critical fluids. These equations are used in conjunction with steady-state nucleation theory to compute completion times for phase separation in binary mixtures. Reexamination of available experimental data provides little if any evidence for the major failure of conventional nucleation theory that has been postulated on the basis of these data.

• Received 24 September 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.21.948