Observations on the multiphase equilibria behavior of CO 2-rich and ethane-rich mixtures

Abstract

Experimental studies of binary mixtures of ethane and hydrocarbons such as the homologous series of n-paraffins or n-alkylbenzenes yield multiphase equilibria locus patterns that are apparently different from those found for binary mixtures of CO 2 and (the same) hydrocarbons. These differences in thermodynamic phase-space behavior are discussed and shown to be consistent with a common liquid—liquid—vapor phase-space topography encompassing both the CO 2-rich and ethane-rich systems. Examination of the topography provides estimates of immiscibility limits for these homologous series of binary mixtures.