1E4 Physical Sciences – Exercises 2
Phase equilibria and phase diagrams
1) Problem 12.25
Use these data to sketch a qualitative phase diagram for ethylene (C2H4):
Bp at 1 atm: -103.7 °C
Mp at 1 atm: -169.16 °C
Critical point: 9.9 °C and 50.5 atm
Triple point: -169.17 °C and 1.2 x 10-3 atm
2) Problem 12.29
Consider the following phase diagram for carbon dioxide:
From Geological Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide, By Luigi Marini.
Where the main points are: Triple point at -56.57 ºC, 5.185 bar; Critical point at 31.03 ºC, 74 bar.
a) CO2 is sold in steel cylinders under pressures of approximately 20 bar. Is there liquid CO2 in
the cylinder at room temperature? At 40 ºC, at -40 ºC, or at -120 ºC?
b) CO2 is also sold as solid chunks (dry ice) in insulated containers. If the chunks are warmed by
leaving them in an open container at room temperature will they melt?
c) if a container is nearly filled with dry ice and then sealed and warmed to room temperature
will the dry ice melt?
d) if dry ice is compressed at a temperature below its triple point will it melt?
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3) Sketch the cooling curves T vs. heat removed for water along lines 1 and 2 indicated in the
following phase diagram. Label along the cooling curve:
(a) the regions where phase changes occur;
(b) the slope of the curves in the different regions;
(c) the transition enthalpies.
4) Below is the diagram of carbon:
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Based on the diagram:
a) what is the most stable phase at room temperature and atmospheric pressure?
b) how would you make an artificial diamond starting from graphite?
c) are diamonds forever?
5) The diagram below is that of the binary system water/NaCl at 1 atm.
Based on the diagram estimate:
a) the solubility of NaCl in water at room temperature.
b) the lowest temperature at which NaCl can be used for de-icing roads
c) show on the diagram the eutectic composition
c) show on the diagram why icebergs are not salty
6) The following binary diagram of the nitric acid/water system is used to plan a fractional
distillation.
a) What will you obtain at the top and the
bottom of the column if you start from A, B
α and C?
b) Sketch the heating curves of T vs. supplied
heat for mixtures of composition A, B and C.
β
c) Determine the variance of the system at
constant pressure in the α and β regions, and
at the azeotropic point.
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