Problem 2.1.5

 

Benzene has a vapor pressure of 0.086 bar and 0.9162 bar at 290 Kelvin and 350 Kelvin, respectively.  Estimate the vapor pressure of benzene at 320 Kelvin.

 

Solution: 

 

Background:  When the vapor pressure of a pure fluid is in equilibrium with the liquid phase, the equality of chemical potential, temperature, and pressure in both phases leads to the Clausius-Clapeyron equation: dPvp over dT is equal to delta Hv over (T delta Vv).  This could also be written as d ln Pvp over d(1/T) is equal to minus delta Hv over (R delta Zv).  In this equation, delta Hv and delta Zv refer to differences in the enthalpies and compressibility factors of saturated vapor and saturated liquid.  Most vapor pressure estimation and correlation equations stem from an integration of this equation.  When this is done, an assumption must be made regarding the dependence of the group delta Hv and delta Zv on temperature.  Also, a constant of integration which must be evaluated by using one vapor pressure-temperature point is obtained.

 

A common practice is to use both the normal boiling point and the critical point to obtain generalized constants.  This gives an equation lnPvpr is equal to h time (one minus one over Tr).  Pvpr is the reduced vapor pressure.  It can be calculated using the boiling point and critical pressure.  This is a two=-parameter corresponding states equation for vapor pressure.   

 

To achieve more accuracy, several investigators have proposed three-parameter forms.  The Pitzer expansion is one of the more successful:

lnPvpr is equal to f(0)(Tr) plus omega f(1)(Tr).  The functions f(0) and f(1) have been expressed both in tabular form and analytical form by Lee and Kesler.  The values of the acentric factor are also tabulated in the literature.

 

Antoine proposed a simple modification of the equation as lnPvp is equal to A minus B over (T plus C).

 

A vapor pressure estimation is also available that is based on information from two and even four other reference fluids.

 

Antoine proposed a simple modification of this equation which has been widely used over limited temperature ranges.  ln Pvp is equal to A minus B over (T plus C). 

Discussion and Recommendations:  The least accurate is the Clapeyron equation, especially at lower temperatures.  The Antoine equation should not be used above 2.0 to 2.7 bar when the constants are obtained from experimental data below that pressure.  The Wagner equation is the most accurate, although all the predictive methods, i.e., Lee-Kesler, Gomez-Thodos, and two-reference fluid methods, perform satisfactorily.

 

The simplest approach is to assume that the group delta Hv and delta Zv is constant and independent of temperature.  Then, with the constant of integration denoted as A, we obtain ln Pvp is equal to A minus B over T, where B is equal to delta Hv and delta Zv.  This equation is sometimes called Clapeyron equation.

 

Using the given data, B is found to be equal to 4004.36 and A as 11.34 when pressure is used in atmospheres.