Vapor–liquid equilibrium measurement and modeling for the difluoromethane + pentafluoroethane + propane ternary mixture

Vapor–liquid equilibrium data for the difluoromethane (R32) + pentafluoroethane (R125) + propane (R290) ternary mixture were measured at 5 isotherms between 263.15 K and 323.15 K. The measurement was carried out using a circulation-type apparatus recently developed, which was validated with binary mixtures. With binary interaction parameters obtained for the three corresponding binary mixtures, VLE modeling and prediction were performed for the ternary mixture using the Peng–Robinson equation of state with the classical mixing rules and MHV1 mixing rules. Hou's group contribution model for VLE of new refrigerant mixtures was further tested with the experimental data for the ternary system. The predicted pressure and vapor phase composition were compared with experimental ones.     

Surface tension of pentafluoroethane + 1,1-difluoroethane from (243 to 328) K

The surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) + 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) was measured in the temperature range from (243 to 328) K with a differential capillary rise method, for three compositions around the composition of the optimum refrigeration performance (HFC-125 + HFC152a, 15%/85%). The uncertainties of the measurement of the temperature and the surface tension were estimated to be within ±10 mK and ±0.2 mN m⁻¹, respectively. A correlation for the surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture HFC-152a + HFC-125 was developed as a function of the composition.     

Experimental studies on a mixture of HFC-32/125/161 as an alternative refrigerant to HCFC-22 in the presence of polyol ester

In this work, experiment was conducted to examine the thermo-physical properties of an alternative refrigerant to HCFC-22 in the presence of polyol ester (POE). The new alternative refrigerant is a mixture of HFC-32/125/161, whose physical properties are similar to HCFC-22 but has a lower global warming potential (GWP) than that of R407C. POE is used as the tested lubricating oil in the experiment. The saturated vapor pressure data and vapor–liquid equilibrium data of nine different mass fractions of the new refrigerant and polyol ester (POE) in the temperature range of 253–323 K were measured by single-phase cycle method. The experiment results showed that there was no stratification, no sediment generation in the liquid phase of the mixture, and the color of liquid phase of the mixture had no change in the equilibrium cell before and after the experiment with the POE concentration greater than 20% and the temperature higher than 258 K; with POE concentration lower than 20% and temperature lower than 258 K, stratification began to appear. Meanwhile, when POE and the refrigerant were miscible, the saturated pressure data of the mixture (HFC-32/125/161 + POE) revealed that POE had a very small impact on saturated vapor pressure of the mixture (almost negligible) when POE was less than 10% of the mixture; POE has an obvious effect on the saturated vapor pressure of the mixture when there is more than 10% POE in the mixture, especially when the temperature is higher than 283.15 K. Experimental data were correlated by Flory–Huggins model, Heil model, NRTL model and Wilson model. The results showed that to the average and maximum pressure deviation, the results were better with considering the effects of temperature on the energy parameters. Among the above models, the NRTL activity coefficient model was the best, the Heil and Wilson models followed and the Flory–Huggins model had the largest deviation from the experimental data.     

Evaluation of co-volume mixing rules for bitumen liquid density and bubble pressure estimation

The Peng–Robinson cubic equation of state (CEOS) is widely used to predict thermodynamic properties of pure fluids and mixtures. The usual implementation of this CEOS requires critical properties of each pure component and combining rules for mixtures. Determining critical properties for components of heavy asymmetric mixtures such as bitumen is a challenge due to thermolysis at elevated temperatures. Group contribution (GC) methods were applied for the determination of critical properties of molecular representations developed by Sheremata for Athabasca vacuum tower bottoms (VTB). In contrast to other GC methods evaluated, the Marrero–Gani GC method yielded estimated critical properties with realistic, non-negative values, followed more consistent trends with molar mass and yielded normal boiling points consistent with high temperature simulated distillation data. Application of classical mixing rules to a heavy asymmetric mixture such as bitumen yields saturated liquid density and bubble pressure estimates in qualitative agreement with experimental data. However the errors are too large for engineering calculations. In this work, new composite mixing rules for computing co-volumes of asymmetric mixtures are developed and evaluated. For example, composite mixing rules give improved bubble point predictions for the binary mixture ethane + n-tetratetracontane. For VTB and VTB + decane mixtures the new composite mixing rules showed encouraging results in predicting bubble point pressures and liquid phase densities.     

Vapour-liquid equilibrium data for binary mixtures of some new refrigerants

The acceptance of the Montreal Protocol has led to a timetable for the phasing out of chlorine-containing refrigerants and their replacement by new chlorine-free materials. For many applications a pure alternative refrigerant can not be found with the appropriate properties and refrigerant mixtures have been considered. In order to model the properties of these refrigerant blends accurate vapour-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data are required over the range of temperature and pressure of interest to the refrigeration engineer. In this paper we report VLE data for six binary mixtures of the new hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. The six mixtures are: R32/R125, R32/R143a, R32/R134a, R125/R143a, R125/R134a and R143a/R134a. Results for R32/R125 and R32/R134a were obtained down to at least −30°C and were done in duplicate. The raw data were correlated to two models using Maximum Likelihood techniques. One of the models was then used to predict azeotropic compositions for three of the mixtures (R32/R125, R32/R143a and R125/R143a) and the approximate composition of a ternary saddle point azeotrope.     

Phase equilibria of imidazolium ionic liquids and the refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a)

A number of applications with ionic liquids (ILs) and hydrofluorocarbon gases have recently been proposed. Detailed phase equilibria and modeling are needed for their further development. In this work, vapor–liquid equilibrium, vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium, and mixture critical points of imidazolium ionic liquids with the hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant gas, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) was measured at temperatures of 25 °C, 50 °C, 75 °C and pressure up to 143 bar. The ionic liquids include 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([HMIm][Tf₂N]), 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIm][PF₆]), and 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([HMIm][BF₄]). The effects of the anion and cation on the solubility were investigated with the anion having greatest impact. [HMIm][Tf₂N] demonstrated the highest solubility of R-134a. The volume expansion and molar volume were also measured for the ILs and R-134a. The Peng–Robinson Equation of State with van der Waals 2-parameter mixing rule with estimated IL critical points were employed to model and correlate the experimental data. The models predict the vapor–liquid equilibrium and vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium pressure very well. However, the mixture critical points predictions are consistently lower than experimental values.     

Experimental data on binary and ternary mixtures of perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane with normal alkanes at 373.15 K

Phase behaviour measurement of binary mixtures of perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane with methane and propane, and ternary mixtures of perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane with methane + n-hexane and methane + n-decane at 373.15 K and over a wide range of concentration are presented. Measurements are made at the liquid bubble point and retrograde dew point pressures of the mixtures. A constant composition expansion test was carried out on perfluoro-1, 3-dimethylcyclohexane + methane mixture at 373.15 K.     

Shear viscosity of Stockmayer fluid: Application of integral equations method to Vesovic–Wakeham scheme

In our previous works, we applied the integral equations method to calculate transport properties of nonpolar fluids such as Lennard–Jones (12-6) fluid [R. Khordad, Physica A 387 (2008) 4519, M.M. Papari, R. Khordad, Z. Akbari, Physica A 388 (2009) 585]. The present work is a continuation of our studies on transport properties of polar fluids. We use the Stockmayer potential and examine theoretically the viscosity and pressure of several refrigerant mixtures such as R125 + R143a, HFC-125 + HFC-134a, HFC-125 + HFC-32, and HFC-134a + HFC-32. We solve numerically the Ornstein–Zernike (OZ) equation using the hypernetted-chain approximation (HNC) for binary fluid mixtures and obtain the pair correlation functions. Finally, the density and temperature dependence of shear viscosity and pressure are studied using Vesovic–Wakeham method and compared with experimental results. According to the results obtained from the present work reveals that the integral equations method is suitable for predicting the pressure and shear viscosity of this class of fluids.     

VLE of CO2 + glycerol + (ethanol or 1-propanol or 1-butanol)

Vapour-liquid equilibrium of CO₂ + [0.00871 glycerol + 0.99129 (ethanol or 1-propanol or 1-butanol)] mixtures was measured at the temperatures of 313.15 K and 333.15 K, and close to the critical line, at pressures up to 12 MPa. On the liquid side, the bubble points measured for these ternary mixtures follow closely the behaviour of VLE reported by several authors for the corresponding binary mixtures without glycerol. On the vapour side, however, dew points for the ternary mixtures deviate significantly from VLE results for the binaries. A correlation of the results obtained for the CO₂ + glycerol + ethanol mixture with the Peng-Robinson equation of state, admitting quasi-binary behaviour, equally yields good agreement on the liquid side, and significant deviations on the vapour side.     

Study of azeotropic mixtures with the advanced distillation curve approach

Classical methods for the study of complex fluid phase behavior include static and dynamic equilibrium cells that usually require vapor and liquid recirculation. These are sophisticated, costly apparatus that require highly trained operators, usually months of labor-intensive work per mixture, and the data analysis is also rather complex. Simpler approaches to the fundamental study of azeotropes are highly desirable, even if they provide only selected cuts through the phase diagram. Recently, we introduced an advanced distillation curve measurement method featuring: (1) a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for both qualitative and quantitative analysis), (2) temperature measurements that are true thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation of state, (3) temperature, volume and pressure measurements of low uncertainty suitable for equation of state development, (4) consistency with a century of historical data, (5) an assessment of the energy content of each distillate fraction, (6) trace chemical analysis of each distillate fraction, and (7) corrosivity assessment of each distillate fraction. We have applied this technique to the study of azeotropic mixtures, for which this method provides the bubble point temperature and dew point composition, completely defining the thermodynamic state from the Gibbs phase rule perspective. In this paper, we present the application of the approach to several simple binary azeotropic mixtures: ethanol + benzene, 2-propanol + benzene, and acetone + chloroform.     

Liquid-liquid equilibria for mixtures of (ethylene carbonate + aromatic hydrocarbon + cyclohexane)

Liquid-liquid equilibrium data for mixtures of (ethylene carbonate + benzene + cyclohexane) at temperatures 303.15 and 313.15 K and (ethylene carbonate + BTX + cyclohexane) at temperature 313.15 K are reported, where the BTX is benzene, toluene and m-xylene. The compositions of liquid phases at equilibrium were determined by gas liquid chromatography. The selectivity factors and partition coefficients of ethylene carbonate for the extraction of benzene, toluene and m-xylene from (ethylene carbonate + BTX + cyclohexane) are calculated and presented. The obtained results are compared with the selectivity factors and partition coefficients of ethylene carbonate for the extraction of benzene from (ethylene carbonate + benzene + cyclohexane). The liquid-liquid equilibrium data were correlated with the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficient models. The phase diagrams for the studied mixtures are presented and the correlated tie line results have been compared with the experimental data. The comparisons indicate the applicability of the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficients model for liquid-liquid equilibrium calculations of the studied mixtures. The tie line data of the studied mixtures also were correlated using the Hand method.     

Density and refractive index measurements of critical mixture 1,4-dioxane + water + saturated KCl in homogenous phase region

The ternary critical mixture of 1,4-dioxane (1) + water (2) + saturated KCl (3) has a lower critical point. The density ρ and refractive index n of this system have been measured as function of temperature for nine critical mixtures along the coexistence curve below the temperature of phase-transition. The water mole fraction in free basis x₂ in the mixtures extends from (0.550 to 0.880) and the molality m of KCl from 0.47 to 2.039 mol kg⁻¹. With increase of temperature, water mole fraction and KCl molality, the obtained density decreased, while the refractive index decreases with increase in temperature, water mole fraction and molality of salt. Both represented anomalies near the critical temperature T_c. The molar fraction of critical mixture, increase less than 1%, with temperature and decrease by 10%, with water mass fraction and molality of salt. The critical density and the critical refractive index vary linearly with water mass fraction w₂$w_2$ with molality m of KCl as a third degree polynomial.     

Ethanoled gasoline bubble pressure determination: Experimental and Monte Carlo modeling

In this work, we present some experimental and modeling studies of ethanoled gasoline bubble pressures (ethanol + gasoline blends) at various temperatures and ethanol contents. Modelings are carried out using Monte Carlo simulations in a specific bubble-point pseudo ensemble and using the AUA4 force field. This method is first validated on the prediction of binary mixture bubble pressures (ethanol + n-hexane, ethanol + propylene, ethanol + toluene, ethanol + isooctane). It is shown that a good accuracy is reached without introducing empirical binary interaction parameter, demonstrating the predictivity of the approach. Then, simulations of ethanoled gasolines have been performed. The molecular representation of the gasoline is obtained using a lumping scheme from the detailed composition of a commercial gasoline. Simulation results are compared to experimental bubble pressures measured in this work on this commercial gasoline in which various proportions of ethanol have been added. From a qualitative point of view, the azeotropic behavior of such fuels is observed both experimentally and by simulations. From a quantitative point of view, an average deviation of 15% between experimental and simulation data is found. Such results show that Monte Carlo simulation using an accurate force field is an efficient method to predict phase equilibrium of complex mixtures such as oxygenated gasolines. This methodology can thus be seen as an efficient tool that can be used by engineers for fuel formulation or for equation of state or process model calibration.     

Computing all the azeotropes in refrigerant mixtures through equations of state

Azeotropic mixtures of fluorocarbon (FC) and hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) with hydrocarbons are gaining popularity as drop-in substitutes for CFCs and HCFCs. A method to compute all the azeotropes in a refrigerant mixture through the equation of state approach is described. The method allows prediction of all the azeotropes in a refrigerant mixture and is in close agreement with the experimental data. Both the vapor and the liquid phase non-idealities are incorporated through fugacity coefficients modeled using Peng–Robinson–Stryjek–Vera equation of state with Wong-Sandler and van der Waals mixing rules. Homotopy continuation based methodology guarantees computation of all the solutions of necessary and sufficient condition of azeotropy in multicomponent refrigerant mixtures. The method establishes the pressure dependency of azeotropic composition allowing prediction of bifurcation pressure where refrigerant azeotropes may appear or disappear and predicts azeotropes at elevated pressures. The approach is independent of equation of state and mixing rules but rely on their ability to represent the phase behavior. The approach is tested with R23–R13, propane–R227ea binary mixtures and a ternary mixture of R32–R125–R143a.     

Isothermal vapor–liquid equilibrium data for the binary mixture ethyl fluoride (HFC-161) + 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoroproane (HFC-227ea) over a temperature range from 253.15 K to 313.15 K

Vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data for the refrigerant mixture ethyl fluoride (HFC-161) + 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoroproane (HFC-227ea) are reported in the temperature range from 253.15 K to 313.15 K with a single-phase circulation vapor–liquid equilibrium still. The results of the correlation for the vapor–liquid equilibrium data with Peng–Robinson (PR) equation of state (EOS), combined with the first Modified Huron-Vidal (MHV1) mixing rule and Wilson model, are presented. These results are in a good agreement with experimental data. The average and maximum derivations of vapor molar composition are within 0.0130 and 0.0295 respectively, and the average and maximum relative derivations of pressure are within 1.04% and 2.96%, respectively. The model parameters, determined from these binary data, are given to predict the phase behavior for a later ternary system. The binary system HFC-161 + HFC-227ea is a non-azeotropic mixture and exhibits a negative deviation from Raoult's law.     

Vapour–liquid equilibrium for β-myrcene and carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen and the volume expansion of β-myrcene or limonene in CO2 at 323.15 K

Vapour–liquid equilibrium measurements for binary and ternary (carbon dioxide + β-myrcene and carbon dioxide + β-myrcene + hydrogen) systems have been carried out at 323.15 K and pressures in the range from 7 MPa to the critical pressure of the binary mixture and at pressures from 10 to 14 MPa for the investigated ternary systems. Samples from the coexisting phases were taken, and compositions were determined experimentally. Results were correlated using the Peng–Robinson and the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equations of state with the Mathias–Klotz–Prausnitz mixing rule. The set of interaction parameters for the employed equations of state and applied mixing rule for the system of CO₂ + β-myrcene and of CO₂ + β-myrcene + H₂ were obtained. Additionally, the volume expansion of the liquid phase for the binary mixtures (carbon dioxide + β-myrcene and carbon dioxide + limonene) were measured at 323.15 K and at pressures from 4 MPa up to very close to the critical pressure of the mixture. The ratio of liquid phase total volumes at the given pressure and at 4 MPa was calculated.     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium in (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water) at the temperature 313.15 K

Total vapour pressures, measured at the temperature 313.15 K, are reported for the ternary mixture (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water), and for binary constituents (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol) and (N,N-dimethylacetamide + water). The present results are compared with previously obtained data for binary mixtures (amide + water) and (amide + methanol), where amide=N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methyl-acetamide, 2-pyrrolidinone and N-methylpyrrolidinone. Moreover, it was found that excess Gibbs free energy of mixing for binary mixtures varies roughly linearly with the molar volume of amide.     

Effect of phase behavior, density, and isothermal compressibility on the constant-volume heat capacity of ethane + n-pentane mixed fluids in different phase regions

The phase behavior, density, and constant-volume molar heat capacity (C_v,m) of ethane + n-pentane binary mixtures have been measured in the supercritical region and subcritical region at T=309.45 K. In addition, the isothermal compressibility (κ_T) has been calculated using the density data determined. For a mixed fluid with a composition close to the critical composition, C_v,m and κ_T increase sharply as the pressure approaches the critical point (CP), the dew point (DP), or the bubble point (BP). However, C_v,m is not sensitive to pressure in the entire pressure range if the composition of the mixed fluid is far from the critical composition. To tune the properties of the binary mixtures effectively by pressure, both the composition and the pressure should be close to the critical point of the mixture. The intermolecular interactions in the mixture are also discussed on the basis of the experimental results.     

Surface tension of dimethyl ether + propane from 243 to 333 K

The surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture dimethyl ether (RE170)(1) + propane (R290)(2) at three mass fraction of w₁=0.3007,0.4975 ??and ??0.6949$w_1=\mathrm{0.3007,0.4975}\text{\hspace{0.17em}??}\text{and}\text{\hspace{0.17em}??}0.6949$ was measured in the temperature range from 243 to 333 K with a differential capillary rise method. The uncertainties of the measurement of the temperature and the surface tension were estimated to be within ±10 mK and ±0.2 mN m⁻¹, respectively. A correlation for the surface tension of the binary refrigerant mixture RE170 + R290 was developed as a function of the composition.     

Solubilities of cholesterol and desmosterol in binary solvent mixtures of n-hexane + ethanol

The solubilities of cholesterol and desmosterol in binary solvent mixtures of n-hexane + ethanol at temperatures of 293.2–323.2 K were determined by a static equilibrium method. The solubilities increase with temperature and go through a maximum at a specific solvent composition. The fusion enthalpy Δ_fusH and the melting point T_m, determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), are 28.5 kJ/mol, 421.7 K for cholesterol and 15.9 kJ/mol, 388.2 K for desmosterol, respectively. The solubilities of cholesterol and desmosterol in pure n-hexane or ethanol follow a linear Van’t Hoff relation with temperature. Activity models, such as Wilson, NRTL and UNIQUAC models were used to correlate and predict the solubilities of cholesterol and desmosterol in n-hexane + ethanol mixed solvents. The interaction parameters were expressed as a function of temperature.