Gas-Liquid Equilibria

Calcu lations With

Equations of State

15

Equations of state can be used to calculate gas-liquid equilibria as an

altemative to using K-factor correlations. Toe assumption must be made
that the equations of state presented in Chapters 3 and 4 predict pressurevolume-temperature relationships for liquids as well as for gases.
This chapter is an introduction to utilizing equations of state in gasliquid equilibria calculations. It conveys a general understanding of the
subject and is as simple and short as possible. Many of the complexities
of this subject are not discussed. Thus, the study of this chapter will not
result in the ablity to apply equations of state to complex petroleum
mixtures.
Pure Substances

An equation of state in the spirit of van der Waals will produce

isotherms as shown in Figure 15-1 for apure substance.1 Notice that the
isotherms at and above the critical temperature look very much like the
corresponding experimental isotherms of Figure 2-10.
The calculated isotherm of Figure 15-1 for temperaturebelow critica}
temperature exhibits the "van der Waals loop." At certain temperatures,
the calculated pressures in the loop are negative, as shown. This loop
does not appear experirnentally. For a pure substance a horizontal line
connects equilibriurn gas and lquid. Again see Figure 2-10.
The van der Waals loop is used to determine the molar volumes of the
equilibrium gas and liquid and then is replaced by a tie-line between
these two volumes. Toe basis of this calculation is that the chemical
potential of the equilibrium gas equals the chemical potential of the
equilibrium liquid.
414

Gas-Liquid Equilibria Calculations with Equations of State

415

...
t:,

Molar volume, VM

Fig. 15-1. Values

equation of state.

ot molar volume calculated with a two-constant

Chemical Potential

The chemical potential, G, of apure fluid at constant temperature may

be calculated as2
(15-1)
Chemical potential also is called Gibbs molar free energy,
Figure 15-2A gives a calculated isotherm below the critica! temperature. Point a is selected arbit:rarily along the liquid part of the isotherm.
Point d is selected arbit:rarily along the gas part of the isotherm. Points b
and e are mnimum and maximum points on the van der Waals loop.
Points e represent the points along the loop for which the chemicaJ
potentials are equal. Point f is the point along line be which has the same
pressure as points e.
Figure 15-28 gives the corresponding chemical potentials calculated
as in Equation 15-1. A loop also appears on this figure. The loop is
nonexistent physically but can be used analytically. The point of
intersection, e, meets the requirements of equilibria for the gas and liquid
of a pure substance. At point e, the pressure of the gas equals t:he
pressure of the liquid, and the chemical potentials of the two phases are
equal. Point f has the same pressure as points e but is not an equilibrium
point because its chemical potential is higher than that of points e.

PETROLEUM FLUIDS

416

...

:i

..

.
d

Fig. 15-2. Values of molar volume and chemical potential at a temperature below critica! temperature calculated with a two-constant equation of
state shWTng the "van der Waals loop."

Figure 15-3 indicates the situation as it would be measured experimentally. The nonphysical loop ebfcein Figure 15-2A has been replaced
with the tie-line ee. Figure 15-3B shows the elimination of the
corresponding loop ebfce. If an equation of state could be devised that
would exactly reproduce isotherm aeed on Figure 15-3A, the calculated
chemical potentials of all states along tie-Iine ee would be identical.
Toe point e to the left on Figure l5-3A is the position of the bubble
point at the temperature of the isotherm, and the point e to the right is the
position of the dew point. If the above analysis were performed at
various temperatures below the critica} temperature, the phase envelope
would be defined. Figure 15-4 shows the position of the phase envelope
along with three isotherms.

...

a.

..

:i
e

Molar volume, V M

a.
d

e
d

Chemlcal potentlal, G

Fig. 15-3. Values of molar volume and chemical potential ata temperature below critica! temperature calculated with a two-constant equation of
state with the "van der Waals loop" removed.

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Calculations with Equalions of State

417

,:,.

"5

o:

Fg. 15-4. Values of molar volurne calculated with two-constant equation

of state with "van der Waals loop" removed from the isotherm below the
critica! temperature.
The calculation of the properties of equilibrium gas and Iiquid resol ves
into the calculation of the chemical potentials of the two phases.
An equation of state is required to evaluate Equation 15-1. For an ideal
gas
RT
p

(3-13)

Thus for a pure ideal gas

dG

(RT/p)dp

RT d(ln p).

(15-2)

The Fugacity

The chemical potential of a real fluid can be expressed by replacing

pressure in Equation 15-2 with a property called fugacity, f.
dG = RT d(ln f)

(15-3)

Since Equation 15-3 defines fugacity in differential fonn, a reference

value is required.
p

(15-4)

418

PETROLEUM FLUIDS

Note that fugacity simply replaces pressure in an ideal gas equation to

form a real gas equation. Fugacity has pressure units. Equation 15-4
merely states that at low pressures the fluid acts Iike an ideal fluid.
Combination of Equation 15-1 with 15-3 results in the defining
equation for the fugacity of a pure substance.
d (In f) = (V~T) dp

(15-5)

Remember that chemical potential for the liquid must equal chemical
potential for the gas at equilibrium. For a pure substance this means that
at any point along the vapor pressure line, the chemical potential of the
liquid must equal the chemical potential of the gas. Thus Equation 15-3
shows that the fugacity of the liquid must equal the fugacity of the gas at
equtioriumtf1'Clhe"Vaporrpress1ii'e'line:'So gm;..:}iqtl" qilibria can be
calculated under the condition that
(15-6)
Fugacity Coefficient

The following expression can be derived from Equation 15-5 under

the constraint of Equation 15-4.2
VM

In ..!_ = z p

1 -

In z

_l
RT

J (

RT - p ) dVM

VM

(15- 7)

00

where z is the z-factor as defined by Equations 3-39 and 3-40.

For a pure substance, the ratio of fugacity to pressure, f/p, is called
fugacity coefficient.
Example of State Calculation for

a Pure Substance

The Peng-Robinson equation of state, Equation 4-35, will be used

with Equation 15- 7 to develop a procedure for calculating of the vapor
pressure of a pure substance. 3 Toe vapor pressure is simply the pressure,
points e on Figure 15-2, for which the fugacity of the liquid equals the
fugacity of the gas.
The application here of the Peng-Robinson equation of state does not
mean that it is the best equation of state. This equation was merely
selected to illustrate the application of a typical three-constant, cubic
equation of state to gas-Iiquid equilibria calculations.

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Calculations with Equations of State

419

The Peng-Robinson equation of state

(4-35)
can be arranged into cubic form,

3 -

VM

(~T -

)vM2

- b (;

+ (;

2b:T

- b - b2

2)

3b

VM

o.

(15-8)

Application of Equations 4-8 at the critical point results in

b = 0.07780 RTc

(15-9)

Pe

and
ac = 0.45724 R2T/ .

Pe

(15-10)

The term b is a constant. Toe term aT vares with temperature; a, is its

value at the critica! temperature. The temperature variation of term aT
resides in ex, that is
(15-11)
where ex is determined as

ClYi ;::; 1 + (0.37464 + l.54226w - 0.26992c.1>2) (1 - T)1) . (15-12)

The acentric factor, w, is a constant. Each pure substance has a different
value of acentric factor.
The coefficients in Bquations 15-9 and 15-10 often are assigned
symbols as follows.

O.b

0.07780 and O.a

0.45724

(15-13)

PETROLEUM

420

FLUIDS

Substitution of
(3-39)

VM = zRT/p

into the Peng-Robinson equation of state gives

z3

(1 - B)z2
- (AB - B2

+
-

(A - 2B - 3B2)z
B3) = O,

(15-14)

where
(15-15)
and
B =

bp
RT

(15-16)

Equation 15-14 is a cubic equation with real coefficients. Thus, three

values of z-factor cause the equation to equal zero. These three "roots"
are all real when pressure and temperature are on the vapor pressure
line-that is, when liquid and gas are present. One real root and two
complex roots exist when the temperature is above the critical temperature.
Figure 15-5 gives the shape of an isotherm calculated with Equation
15-14 at a temperature below the critical temperature. Points a through f
are equivalent to points a through fon Figures 15-2 and 15-3. Points e
are the values of z-factor that would be measured experimentally. Point f
is a nonphysical solution.
As before, curve ebfce is eliminated. See Figure 15-6. The upper
point e is the z-factor of the equilibrium gas, and the lower point e is the
z-factor of the equilibrium liquid, Toe dotted line connecting these two
points has no physical meaning. The dashed curve represents the
complete phase envelope. Notice the similarity of the isotherm on Figure
15-6 to the experimental 104F isotherm of Figure 3-4.
Thus, Equation 15-14 is solved for its three roots. If there is only one
real root, temperature is above the critica! temperature. If there are three
real roots, the largest is the z-factor of the equilibrium gas and the

421

Gos-Liquid Equilibrio Colculations with Equations oj Sta/e

--

....o

ca

1
N

Pressure, p
Fig. 15-5. Values of z-factor at a temperature below critica! temperatura
calculated with a two-constant equation of state showing "van der Waals
loop."

-,

1.0

-....

a
Crltlcal polnt

\/

(.)

ca

.,,,
o

e
Pressure, p

Fig. 15-6. Values of z-factor ata temperature below critica! temperature

calculated with a two-constant equation of state with "van der Waals loop"
removed.

PETROLEUM FLUIDS

422

smallest is the z-factor of the equilibrium liquid. These are points e on

Figure 15-5. The middle root, represented by point fin Figure 15-5, is
discarded.
Equation 15-14 can be used to complete the integration of Equation
15-7, resulting in2

p - zg

In ( fg )

ln(zg

8)

A
[ Zg + (2112 + l)B ]
21.58 In Zg _ (2112 _ l)B

{15-17)

and
In (~ ) = z - 1 - ln(z - 8) - _A_ In [ ZL
p
L
L
21.58
ZL

+-

(2112

(2112 -

1)8 ] . (15-17)
1)8

Equation 15-17 is applied twice: once with the liquid z-factor to

calculate the fugacity of the liquid and again with the gas z-factor to
calculate the fugacity of the gas.
Toe procedure to calculate the vapor pressure of a pure substance
involves Equations 15-9 through 15-17. Once temperature is selected,
the results of Equations 15-9 through 15-12 are fixed. The problem
then is to find a pressure for use in Equations 15-14 through 15-16
which will give values of z-factors for gas and liquid which will result in
equal values of fugacities of gas and liquid from Equation 15-17.
EXAMPLE 15-1: Calculate the vapor pressure of iso-butane at 19rfF.
Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state.
Solution
First, calculate those coefficients which are not pressure dependent
T = _!_ =
190 + 459.67 = 0.88495
r
Te
274.46 + 459.67
=

(007780) (10.732)(734.13)
.
(527.9)

(3-41)
=

1.1611

(15-9)

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Caiculatkms with Equations of State

lle

o:12 = 1
u

R2T\
Pe

(0.37464

(0.45724) (10.732)2 (734.13)2

(527.9)

1.0787 where co

aT = 8cU

423

53,765

(15-10)

l.54226w - 0.26992w2) (1 - T/h) (15-12)

0.1852

(53,765)(1.0787)

(15-11)

57,995

Second, by trial and error, find a pressure which causes the fugacity of
the liquid calculated with Equations 15-14, 15-15, 15-16, and 15-17
to equal the fugacity of the gas calculated with the same equations. Only
the last calculation with a final trial value of p = 228. 79 psia will be
shown.
A -~
=
(RT)2
B

=_.EE._
RT

(57995) (228.79)
=
(10.732)2 (649.67)2

o.27295

= 0_038101

(1.1611) (228.79)
(10.732)(649.67)

(15-15)

(15-16)

The three roots which salve

z3

(1 -

B)z2

- (AB - B2

(A -

2B -

3B2)z

B3) = O

(15-14)

are 0.067258, 0.18678, and 0.70786.

ZL

= 0.067258 and

Zg

= 0.70786

Toen

1n(.!!.)
p

v: -;

1 ~ ln(z - B) -~
g

21.58

ln (

+ (2112 +

Zg
Zg -

fg = 176.79 psia

(2112

l}B \ (15-17)
l)B ]

424

PETROLEUM

FLUIDS

and

In(~)
p

zL - 1 - ln(zL - B) - _A__ In ( ZL + (2112 + l)B \

2LSB
ZL - (2112 - l)B

(15-17)

fL = 176.79 psia
fL = fg, thus the trial value of p, 228.79 psia, is the vapor pressure of
iso-butane at 190F.
Notice that the molar volumes can be calculated easily.
VM

= ZgRT =
g

21.57

(0.70786) (10.732) (649.67)

(228.79)

cu fUib mole
ZLRT
p

(3-39)

(0.067258) (10.732) (649.67)

(228.79)

= 2.050 cu ft/lb mole

(3-39)

Compare results with experimental data.5

Vapor pressure, psia

Saturated liquid molar volume,
cu fUlb mole
Saturated vapor Molar volume,
mole cu ft/lb
Liquid z-factor
Gas z-factor

Calculated

Experimental

228.8
2.050

228.3
2.035

21.57

21.68

0.0673
0.7078

0.0666
0.7101

Toe results do not always agree this closely with experimental

observations.
Toe trial-and-error process illustrated in Example 15-1 is rather
tedious. Severa! methods have been proposed to speed convergence to
the correct solution. These methods can be grouped into two general

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Calculations with Equations of State

425

types: successive substtutons and Newton-Raphson. These technques

will not be dscussed in this text.
Mixtures

The situation with regard to mixtures is somewhat more difficult to

visualize. However, equilibrium is attained when the chemical potential
of each component in the liqud equals the . chemical potential of that
component in the gas.
Chemical Potential

as

The chemical potential of a component of a mixture may be calculated

RT d(ln fj) .

(15-18)

The reference value for fugacity in this equation is

limfj = YjP

p.O

(15-19)

That is, as pressure approaches zero the fluid approaches ideal behavior
and the fugacity of a component approaches the parta! pressure of that
component.
Remember that the chemical potential, Gj, for a component of a
mixture at equilibrium must be the same in both the gas and the liquid.
Thus Equation 15-18 shows that at equilibrium the fugacities of a
component must be equal in both the gas and the liquid. So gas-Iiqud
equilibra can be calculated under the condition that
(15-20)
for ali components j. This is analogous to the development of the
equations for ideal solutions, early in Chapter 12, in which the partial
pressure of the Iiquid (Dalton's equation) was set equal to the partial
pressure of the gas (Raoult's equation).

PETROLEUM

426

FLUIDS

Values of the fugacity far each component are calculated with an

equation of state. Any equation of state can be used far these calculations. Later, asan example of the procedure, we develop equations using
the Peng-Robinson equation of state.
Fugacity Coefficient

Another useful term is fugacity coefficient, Fugacity coefficient far

each component of a mixture is defined as the ratio of fugacity to partial
pressure.
,k

't'J

_Jf
.

(15-21)

YjJ)

Fugacity coefficient may be calculated as2

V

- iT]

RT [V

(ctp
)
dilj

T.V,n

dV -

ln

Z,

(15-22)

00

where z is z-factor as defined in Chapter 3.

Further, the ratio of the fugacity coefficients can be used to calculate
K-factor.2

Kj

<pg

fi..j
XjP

fg

Yj
Xj

(15-23)

YjP

where fLi = fgj at equilibrium.

Example of State Ca/cu/ation tor Mixtures

The Peng-Robinson equation of state is

(4-35)

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Catculations with Equations of Sta/e

427

Mixture rules are

(4-38)
and
T = y.y-(aT,aTi)Yi
(1 j
I J
I
J

&--)
lJ >

where subscripts j and i refer to components.

(4-40)

Also
(15-24)

and

(15-25)
Values of the coefficients far the individual components are calculated
as
b; = 0.07780 RTc;
Pe;

(15-9)

and
(15-11)
where

acj

= 0.45724

R2Tc/
Pci

(15-10)

and

a.;1h

= 1

(0.37464

1.5422600; - 0.2699200/) (1 - TrjYi) . (15-12)

PETROLEUM

428

FLUIDS

As before, the Peng-Robinson equation can be written as

z3

(1 -

B)z2

(AB - B2

(A -

2B -

3B2)z

B3) = O,

(15-14)

where

(15-15)

A
and

bp

(15-16)

RT

Equation 15-14 is cubic in z-factor, Thus, three values of z-factor

cause the equation to equal zero. These three "roots" are ali real when
pressure and temperature are such that the mixture is two phase. There
will be one real root and two complex roots when the mixture is single
phase.
When three roots are obtained, the lowest root is the z-factor of the
liquid. Toe highest root is the z-factor of the gas, and the middle root is
discarded. This is analogous to eliminating point f on Figure 15-5.
Combining the Peng-Robinson equation of state and Equation 15-22
results in an equation for fugacity coefficient of each component. 3
l n <j>j =

- ln (z -

ln [

B)
z

+
+

(z (2Jn
(2112

l)B'j

l)B
l)B

A (A' - 21.58
i

]'

B'j)

(15-26)

where
B'-J

.El._
b

(15-27)

Oas-Liquid Equilibrio Calculations with Equations of State

429

and

(15-28)
Equations 15-26 through 15-28 are written twice: once far values of z,
b, and aT of the gas and again for va1ues of z, b, and ay of the liquid.
Toe procedure far calculating gas-liquid equilibria at given temperature and pressure is as follows.

Values of aTj and bj for each component of the mixture are obtained
with Equations 15-9 through 15-12 from a knowledge of the critica}
properties and acentric factors of the pure components.
A first trial set of K-factors is obtained. For instance, the K-factor
equation given in Appendix B can be applied to get the first trial set of Kfactors. These are used in a gas-Iiquid equilibria calculation, as described
in Chapter 12, to determine the compositions of the gas and liquid. Toe
remaining equations are solved twice, once for the liquid and once far the
gas.
Values of aT and b are calculated from Equations 4-38 and 4-40 with
the compositions determined above. When the composition of the liquid
is used, the values are aTL and bL. When the composition of the gas is
used, tbe values are aTg and bg. Values of binary interaction coefficients,
6ij, can be included in Equation 4-40 if they are known. If unknown, the
values of 6ij can be set equal to zero. Values of A and B far the Iiquid, AL
and BL, are calculated with Equations 15-15 and 15-16 using aTL and
bL. Wben aTg and bg are used in Equations 15-15 and 15-16, Ag and B8
result.
Also, B\ and A'i must be calculated for each componentj. B'jL results
when bi. is used in Equation 15-27, and B 'jg results when b8 is used. A'iL
and A'jg result similarly from Equation 15-28.
The smallest root of Equation 15-14 is zL when AL and BL are used.
The largest root of Equation 15-14 is Zg when Ag and Bg are used.
Equation 15-26 is solved for the fugacity coefficients of the components of the liquid, <!>Lj, using values of AL, BL, zL, A'jL, and B'jL
Values of q>g result when the corresponding gas coefficients and z-factor
are used in Equation 15-26.
TI1en values of liquid fugacity and gas fugacity far each componen! are
obtained from

(15-21)

430

PETROLEUM

FLUIDS

and
(15-21)
Equilibrium is obtained and the calculation is complete when ali

(15-20)
There are as many Equations 15-20 as there are components. All
these equations cannot be satisfied simultaneously. Thus sorne sort of
error function based on Equation 15-20 must be devised, One approach
is4

(15-29)
where a solution is obtained when the Euclidean norrn of the Ei

(15-30)
is less than sorne selected tolerance.
Another error function used in converging on a correct solution by a
rnethod of successive substitution involves K-factors. Toe Ki for the
mixture are determined frorn the fugacity coefficients with Equation
15-23. Toen

(15-31)
where K{ are the K-factors just calculated and the K/ are the trial values
of K-factors.
Convergence on a correct solution is obtained when the sum of the
error functions is less than sorne selected tolerance. If the sum of the
error functions is greater than the tolerance, the K{ are used as new trial
values of Ki, and the process is repeated.

Gas-Liquid Equilibria Ca/culalions wlth Bquations pf State

43

EXAMPLE 15-2: Calculate the compositions of the gas and liquid

when ihe mixture witb composition given below is
brought to equilibrium at 160F and 1000 psia.
Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state. Use
binary interaction coefficients of 0.02 for methane-n-butane, 0.04 for methane-n-decane, and
O.O for n-butane-n-decane.

Component

Composition,
mole fracton

Methane
n-Butane
n-Decane

0.5301
0.1055
0.3644
1.0000

Solution

First, calculate the coefficients of the components of the mixture.

o}li =

(0.37464

l .54226(1)j - 0.26992w/) (1 - T1/ii) (15-12)

acj

R2T cJ_.2
= 0.45724 __
Pcj

(15-10)
(15-11)

bj = 0.07780 RTci
Pci

(15-9)

PETROLEUM

432

Component

Tcj

FLUIDS

Pci

psi a

343.0 666.4 0.0104 0.7481

9,297
6,956 0.4297
765.3 550.6 0.1995 1.1394 56,017 63,827 1.1604
1111.7 305.2 0.4898 1.6139 213,240 344,149 3.0411
Second, select tria! values of K-factors and calculate trial compositions
of equilibrium gas and liquid. Only the final trial, with K-factors as given
below, is shown.

kX

; J

k
J

+ ng

Zj

(K -

(12-17)

1)

This calculation requires trial and error; only the final trial with ffg =
0.4015 is shown.
Component
C1
n-C4
n-C10

Kj

Zj

Xj

yj

3.992
0.2413
0.00340

0.5301
0.1055
0.3644

0.2408
0.1517
0.6075

0.9613
0.0366
0.0021

1.0000

1.0000

1.0000

Third, calculate the composition dependent coefficients necessary for

z-factor calculations for both Iiquid and gas.

(4-40)
(4-38)

Gas-Liquid Equilibria Cakulations with Equations of State

433

(15-15)

B ~~

(15-16)

RT

Phase
Liquid
Gas

171,446
8,177

2.1270
0.4619

3.8766
0.1849

0.31983
0.06945

Fourth, calculate z-factors of liquid and gas.

z3

(1 - B)z2

- (AB - B2

ZL

(A - 2B - 3B2)z
-

0.3922 and

B3) = O,

Zg

(15-14)

0.9051

Fifth, calculate the composition dependent coefficients necessary for

calculating fugacity coefficients for both liquid and gas.
(15-28)

B' =
J

bj

(15-27)

434

PETROLEUM FLUIDS

Liquid

Component
Cl
n-C4

n-C10

Gas

A'J

B'J

A'J

B'J

0.38893
1.22127
2.83309

0.20204
0.54559
1.42979

1.8440
5.5014
12.5445

0.93042
2.51253
6.58435

Sixth, calculate the fugacity coefficients of the components of liquid

and gas.
In <l>j = - ln {z - B)
In [ z

+
+

(z (21:

z - (21

Component

l)B/

+
-

21~B

l)B J ,
l)B

(A'i

B'i)
(15-26)

<l>Lj
3.67552
0.12878
0.000699

0.92065
0.53373
0.20600

Seventh, calculate the K-factors of the components and the error

functions.
(15-23)

(15-31)

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Catculations with Equations of State

435

Component
3.992
0.2413
0.00340

0.000
0.000
0.000

Tbe sum of the error functions is less than a tolerance of O.001, so the set
of trial values of Kfactors was correct and the calculated values of Iiquid
and gas compositions are correct.
Compare results with experimental data. 5

Calculated
Component
C1
n-C4
n-C10

Experimental

Xj

YJ

0.2408
0.1517
0.6075

0.9613
0.0366
0.0021

0.242
0.152
0.606

0.963
0.036
0.0021

1.0000

1.0000

1.000

1.0011

YJ

Xj

Also, the molar volumes and densities can be calculated.

VM=-

Phase
Liquid
Gas

z
0.3922
0.9051

zRT
p

(3-39)

_pM
zRT

VM

(3-39)

Ma

cu ft/lb mole

lb/lb mole

lb/cu ft

2.61
6.02

99.12
17.84

38.00
2.96

PETROLEUM

436

FLUIDS

Much more sophisticated and powerful methods of converging on a

solution are available. They will not be discussed here.
These equations can be used also to calculate the bubble points and
dew points of mixtures. The solution techniques in these applications
differ from those used in Example 15-2.
Exercises

15-1. Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state to calculate the vapor

pressure of ethane at 32F. Also, calculate the densities of the
liquid and gas at 32F. Compare your answers with values from
Figures 2-7, 2-12, and 3-3.
15-2. Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state to calculate the vapor
pressure of propane at i04F."Ais, 'calcuiate the''densities of the
liquid and gas at 104"F. Compare your answers with values from
Figures 2-7, 2-12, and 3-4.
15-3. Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state to calculate the compositions and densities of the equilibrium liquid and gas of the
mixture given below at 160F and 2000 psia. Use binary
interaction coefficients of 0.02 for methane-n-butane, 0.035 for
methane-n-decane, and O.O for n-butane-n-decane.
Component

Composition,
mole fraction

Methane
n-Butane
n-Decane

0.5532
0.3630
0.0838
1.0000

Compare your answer with experimental results shown below. 5

Component
Methane
n-Butane
n-Decane

Composition, mole fraction

liquid
gas
0.485
0.412
0.103

0.826
0.167
0.0063

1.000

0.9993

437

Gas-Liquid Equilibrio Calculations with Equations of State

15-4. Use the Peng-Robinson equation of state to calculate the compositions, densities, and quantities (lb moles) of the equilibrium
liquid and gas of the mixture given below at 160F and 500 psia.
Use binary interaction coefficients of O.O for methane-propane,
0.02 for methane-n-pentane, and 0.01 for propane-n-pentane.
Component

Composition,
mole fraction

Methane
Propane
n-Pentane

0.500
0.150
0.350
1.000

Compare your answer with the results of Example 2-8.

References
l. Fussell, L.T.: "A Technique for Calculating Multiphase Equilibria," Soc. Pet. Eng, J. (Aug. 1979) 19 203-210.
2. Edmister, W.C. and Lee, B.I.: Applied Hydrocarbon Thermody-

namics, 2nd ed., Gulf Publishing Co., Houston (1984).

3. Peng, D.Y. and Robinson, D.B.: "A New Two-Constant Equation
of State," l.&E.C. Fundamentals (1976) 15, No. 1, 59-64.
4. Fussell, D.D. and Yanosik, J.L.: "AJl lterative Sequence far Phase
Equilibria Calculations Incorporating the Redlich-Kwong Equation
of State," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (June 1978) 18, 173-182.
5. Sage, B.H. and Lacey, W.N.: "Thermodynamic Properties of the
Lighter Paraffin Hydrocarbons and Nitrogen," Monograpb on API
Researcli Project 37, API, New York (1950).
General References
Phase Behavior, SPE Reprint Series 15, SPE, Dallas (1981).

Chao, K.C. and Robinson, R.L., Jr. (eds.): Equations of State in

Advances in Chemistry Series 182, ACS,
Washington (1979).
Engineering and Research,