Assignment

Subject:
Applied Chemistry

Topic:
Vapor Liquid Equilibrium

Submitted by:
Nadia Iqbal

Submitted to:
Prof. Hamid Raza Gillani
 Vapor Liquid Equilibrium
Vapor-liquid Equilibrium is when both the liquid and vapor phases of a substance are in
Equilibrium. This state is achieved when the partial pressure of the vapor phase is equal to the
saturation vapor pressure of the liquid phase at the given temperature. In other words, when the
vapor pressure of a liquid reaches Equilibrium, the rate at which molecules leave the fluid to
become vapor is equal to the rate at which molecules return from steam to liquid.

The Components of Vapor-liquid Equilibrium

To understand vapor-liquid Equilibrium, it is essential to understand the different components

that make it up. Vapor-liquid Equilibrium is achieved when the partial pressure of the vapor
phase is equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid phase at a given temperature. In other
words, it is when the two steps are in Equilibrium. The two components of vapor-liquid
Equilibrium are the vapor phase and the liquid phase. The vapor phase is made of the gaseous
 molecules in contact with the liquid phase. The liquid phase is completed by fluid molecules
connected with the vapor phase.

Factors Affecting VLE

The following factors affect vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE):

 Temperature:

The temperature at which a liquid and its vapor are in equilibrium at atmospheric
pressure is the liquid's boiling point.

 Pressure:

Pressure is a factor that affects VLE.

 Composition:

The composition of the liquid and vapor phases affects VLE.

 Relative volatility:

Relative volatility indicates how difficult it is to separate substances in a mixture through

distillation.

 Vapor pressure:

The relationship between vapor pressure and temperature is exponential, so

estimated vapor pressures should not be used for a main substance in a distillation
column.

 Molecular weight:
The relationship between a substance's boiling point and vapor pressure is
inversely proportional.
Importance of VLE

 Vapor-liquid Equilibrium is used in various industries, including the food and beverage,
petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. It’s also used in academic research and to train
students. For example, in the food and beverage industry, vapor-liquid Equilibrium is used to
 determine the boiling point, the concentration of a substance in a mixture, and the vapor pressure of a
sense.

 Engineering applications

VLE is critical in engineering applications like distillation, environmental modeling, and

process design. For example, in distillation, VLE data helps determine how liquid mixtures
will separate.

 Industrial applications

VLE is used in many industries, including food and beverage, petrochemical, and
pharmaceutical. For example, in the food and beverage industry, VLE can be used to determine
boiling point, concentration, and vapor pressure.

Vapor Liquid Equilibrium Graph

The curve line in a graph show equilibrium between vapor and liquid phase when the rate of
evaporation and condensation are equal.

• Bubble point

The temperature and pressure at which the first bubble of vapor appears from a liquid mixture.
It indicates the composition of the liquid phase at a given pressure.

• Dew point
The temperature and pressure at which the first drop of vapor begins to condense from a gas
mixture. It's the temperature at which a vapor mixture starts to condense into liquid when it's
cooled while maintaining constant pressure.

Vapor region Dew point

Bubble point

Liquid region

Example

There are many everyday examples of VLE, such as the water cycle, mixture of benzene and
toluene.

1. Stages of Water Cycle

There are many processes involved in the movement of water apart from the major steps given in
the above water cycle diagram. Listed below are different stages of the water cycle.

Evaporation

The sun is the ultimate source of energy, and it powers most of the evaporation that occurs on
earth. Evaporation generally happens when water molecules at the surface of water bodies
become excited and rise into the air. These molecules with the highest kinetic energy accumulate
into water vapor clouds.

.Condensation
The water vapor that accumulated in the atmosphere eventually cools down due to the low
temperatures found at high altitudes. These vapors become tiny droplets of water and ice,
eventually coming together to form clouds.

Precipitation

Above 0 degrees centigrade, the vapors will condense into water droplets. However, it cannot
condense without dust or other impurities. Hence, water vapors attach itself on to the particle’s
surface. When enough droplets merge, it falls out of the clouds and on to the ground below. This
process is called precipitation (or rainfall).

2. Mixture of Benzene and Toluene

When benzene and toluene are mixed, their mixture is heated as benzene being more volatile
starts evaporating. Before reaching into vapor phase benzene come into two phase system where
liquid and vapor phase is present and this point is liquid vapor equilibrium point. After this point
benzene changes into vapor phase.
Boiling Point of Toluene

Vapor Phase

Equilibrium Phase

Liquid Phase

Boiling Point of Benzene

Conclusion

Vapor liquid Equilibrium, or VLE, is a condition that exists when two phases of material are in
Equilibrium with each other. In other words, the system is in a state of balance where the rates of
evaporation and condensation are equal. It occurs when the partial pressure of the vapor phase is
similar to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid phase.