EQUILIBRIUM RELATIONS

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CONVERGENCE PRESSURE OF EQUILIBRIUM RATIO
CURVES
Please refer to Fig. 1 & 2 for K values. It is observed that the
equilibrium ratios (K values) for all constituents for both types
of fluids are shown to converge to a value of 1 at about 5000 psi.
This point is termed as the convergence pressure. If the
temperature at which the equilibrium ratios were presented was
the critical temperature of the mixture, then the convergence
pressure would be the critical pressure.
For all temperatures other than the critical temperature, the
convergence of K values is only an “apparent” convergence. The
system will have either a dew point or bubble point at some
pressure less than the convergence pressure and exist as a single-
phase fluid at the conditions expressed by the point of apparent
convergence. As equilibrium ratios are undefined in the single-
phase region, it is the extrapolation of the actual values which
apparently converges to 1.

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CALCULATION PROCEDURE FOR SOLUTION OF
EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEMS
The basic relations developed in Eq.(12) through Eq.(17)

apply to hydrocarbon systems which exist at pressures and

temperatures within the two-phase region.
Eq.(17) and Eq.(20)

apply to the special conditions existing at the bubble-point

and dew-point pressures.
The solution of the equations to determine the dew-point
and bubble-point pressures require the selection of
appropriate equilibrium ratios at the temperature of interest.
An estimate of the pressure is made, and the K values so
determined used in Eq.(22) or Eq.(23) depending on whether a

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bubble point or dew point is sought. If the sum of the
calculated values does not equal 1, another pressure is selected
and the calculations repeated. Trials are continued until the
sum is determined within the desired accuracy.
PROCEDURE OF SEPARATOR CALCULATIONS
For separator calculations at pressures of 500 psi or less, the
5,000 psi convergence pressure charts can be used for most
naturally occurring hydrocarbon mixtures. The equilibrium
ratio of the heptanes-plus fraction can be obtained from Fig. (3).

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Alternatively,

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 A convergence procedure can be set in a computer program
for this purpose. In a graphical procedure, a plot of the
calculated Vcalc as a function of the assumed V is of aid in making
estimates for later trials.
MULTI-STAGE SEPARATOR PROBLEM
There can be several stages of separation. It can be noted that
generally a process using one separator and a stock tank is a two-
stage process.
Separator calculations are performed to determine the
composition of the products, the oil volume factor, and the
volume of gas released per barrel of oil and to determine
optimum number of stages of separators for the particular
conditions existing in a field.

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