Vapor-Liquid Phase Diagrams: Engineering Applications

This lecture focuses on vapor-liquid phase diagrams and their application in molecular separation processes. The instructor begins by reviewing concepts from previous lectures, emphasizing the importance of understanding equilibrium-based separations. The lecture covers the use of thermodynamic information to achieve effective separations between liquid and vapor phases. Key learning outcomes include plotting and interpreting x-y, T-x-y, and H-x-y diagrams, analyzing changes in composition, temperature, and pressure, and utilizing flash drums for binary separations. The instructor explains the principles of vapor-liquid equilibrium, including Raoult's law and the significance of activity coefficients. Graphical methods for representing phase behavior are discussed, including the identification of dew and bubble points. The lecture also addresses the Gibbs phase rule and the concept of degrees of freedom in phase diagrams. Throughout the session, the instructor engages students with quizzes to reinforce understanding of the material, ensuring they grasp the relationship between pressure, temperature, and phase behavior in separation processes.