The interface between theory and experiment

Abstract

Selected examples taken from the author's experience in predicting and experimentally measuring the behavior of naturally occurring hydrocarbon and related mixtures are used to illustrate the gap that exists between theory and experiment. These include the identification of the critical condition, the prediction and definition of the retrograde dew point locus, and the existence of three-phase phenomena within the two-phase envelope. Additional interesting behavior is encountered in systems containing substantial carbon dioxide or light aromatics or naphthenes where the precipitation of wax or other solids in the presence of vapor and immiscible liquids is observed. The modeling of hydrate formation in a dynamic situation is shown as an example where the gap between theory and experiment is particularly large. The experimental observations are extensively illustrated through the use of slides and a film clip.