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Interactive Self-Study Module: Partially-Miscible Liquids Phase Diagrams

Overview:

This module uses screencasts and interactive simulations to explain the vapor-liquid phase equilibrium of two liquids that partially miscible in the liquid phase. Both pressure-composition and temperature-composition diagrams are explained. It then provides example problems to allow the user to test themselves. Your retention of material in this module will increase if you write down reasons for your answers to ConcepTests, questions in screencasts, and questions to answer before using interactive simulations, and you try to solve the example problems before watching the screencast solutions. We suggest using the learning resources in the following order:

  1. Attempt to answer the multiple-choice ConcepTest and solve the example problem before watching the screencasts or working with the simulations.
  2. Watch the screencasts that describe the phase diagrams and answer the questions within the screencasts.
  3. Review important equations for partially-miscible liquids phase diagrams.
  4. Use the interactive simulations to further understand the behavior of the phase diagrams.
  5. Try to solve the example problems before watching the solutions in the screencasts.
  6. Answer the ConcepTests.
  7. Look at the list of key points, but only after you try to list the key points yourself.
Motivation:
  • Partial miscibility is important in some separations.
  • This module is intended for a thermodynamics or separations course.
Before studying this module, you should be able to:
After studying this module, you should be able to:
  • Given temperature and composition, use phase diagrams for partially miscible liquids of binary systems to identify which phases are present.
  • Identify regions where liquid phase separation occurs on a phase diagram.
  • When two phases are present, determine the amount of each phase for a given point on a phase diagram