Low-pressure and low-temperature phase equilibria applied to Pluto’s lower atmosphere

Abstract

ABSTRACT While phase equilibria at conditions on Pluto’s surface have been studied, the fate of the equilibria in the lower atmosphere as the altitude increases has not. In this study, the gravitational effect is included in the thermodynamic modelling so that not only the deposition point can be located, but also the vertical pressure and density profiles below the deposition point can be determined, along with the corresponding compositional profiles in the equilibrium phases. The non-ideality of vapour-solid phase equilibria at low pressures and temperatures is also discussed for Pluto’s applications to allow for more accurate calculations if a conventional method, such as modified Raoult’s law, is used.