Problem 2.4.1

 

Benzene (A) is in equilibrium with 2,3,4-trimethyl pentane (B) at 55 degrees centigrade at a total pressure of 201.74 millimeters of mercury.  The equilibrium composition of benzene in the liquid phase is 0.0819 and in the vapor phase is 0.1869.  Pure component vapor pressures are 327.05 and 178.08 millimeters of mercury for benzene and 2,3,4-trimethyl pentane, respectively.  Calculate the values of activity coefficients and excess Gibbs free energy.

 

Solution:

 

Property relationships for systems of variable composition:

 

The fundamental property relation for homogeneous (single-phase) systems is

 

d(nU) is equal to Td(nS) minus Pd(nV) plus sigma (mui dni)

 

As a result of the definitions of enthalpy, Helmholtz free energy and Gibbs free energy, we may write:

 

nH is equal to nU plus P(nV)

nA is equal to nU minus T(nS)

nG is equal to nU plus P(nV) minus T(nS)

 

Excess Properties - Activity Coefficients

 

An excess property is defined as the difference between an actual property and the property that would be calculated for the same conditions of temperature, pressure, and mole fraction by the equations for an ideal solution.  Thus, by definition,

 

ME is equal to M minus Mid

 

And delta ME is equal to delta M minus delta Mid

 

Where ME is called the excess solution property, and delta ME is the excess property change of mixing. 

 

There is also the partial molar excess property defined as

 

M overbariE is equal to M overbari minus M overbariid.

 

It should be noted that the most important these functions is the excess Gibbs free energy.  

 

Pure component vapor pressure of component A, PA is 862 millimeters of mercury.

Pure component vapor pressure of component B, PB is 498 millimeters of mercury.

System pressure, pT is 760 millimeters of mercury.

 

Mole fraction of A in the liquid phase, xA is equal to 0.0819

Activity coefficient of A, gammaA is equal to yApT over (xA PA) or 1.4077

Activity coefficient of B, gammaB is equal to yBpT over (xB PB) or 1.0033

GE over RT is equal to xA log gammaA plus xB log gammaB is 20.3 calories per mole.