Phase equilibrium in a vessel with unsteady flow

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on modeling phase equilibrium in a pressurized vessel experiencing unsteady flow, specifically in the "wet vapour" region as described by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The user, Nick, seeks to quantify the energy flux due to vaporization after drawing mass from the vessel and considers the effects of cooling and vapor expansion. Key equations mentioned include the Clausius-Clapeyron equation for vapor pressure and the ideal gas law for calculating vapor mass. The user is uncertain about the validity of their approach and seeks feedback on modeling the cooling effect of the incoming mass flow.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation for vapor-liquid equilibrium.
  • Familiarity with the ideal gas law (pV = mRT).
  • Basic knowledge of heat transfer principles, particularly heat flux calculations.
  • Concepts of phase equilibrium and vapor-liquid interactions in thermodynamics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application of the Clausius-Clapeyron equation in dynamic systems.
  • Explore methods for modeling heat transfer across vessel walls in thermodynamic systems.
  • Investigate relative volatility theory for binary mixtures and its implications in phase equilibrium.
  • Learn about numerical methods for simulating unsteady flow in thermodynamic vessels.
USEFUL FOR

Thermodynamic engineers, chemical engineers, and researchers involved in phase equilibrium analysis and energy transfer in pressurized systems.

fizzybiz
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Hi all - my first post. What a great resource!

Homework Statement



I have an initially closed, pressurised vessel at ambient temperature, with a single species in it at dynamic equilibrium with some volume fraction of vapour and liquid. I am in the "wet vapour" region of the P-v-T surface, described by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.

I then draw some mass of liquid out. I view the problem in discreet terms, but could possibly model with a mass flow rate out.

In the real world, the vessel will cool - energy will be drawn into the vapour - partially from the effect of vapour expansion (thinking of the liquid rather like a piston in a cylinder) and partially from the effect of vapourisation of some of the remaining liquid. I presume if the mass flow rate is low, the expansion effect will be negligible. I want to quantify the energy flux due to vapourisation.

Homework Equations



Clausius-Clapeyron equation, describing vapour pressure at some temperature - the vapour-liquid equilibrium line in the P-T plane. ln(p2/p2) = (dHvap/R)(1/T2 - 1/T1)

Ideal gas law; pV = mRT

(heat flux at constant volume; Q = m.cv.dT; not used)

Possibly use the relative volatility theory described here (http://tinyurl.com/676gsb) for a binary, 2-species problem.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have approached this by first presuming the temperature recovers to ambient at every liquid mass increment drawn from the vessel. I have no model for heat flux across the vessel wall.

I draw mass m of liquid from the tank, then the volume change of vapour is easily calculated from mass/liquid density. I presume if the temperature remains constant that we equilibrate back along the clausius-clapeyron line, and that the vapour pressure remains constant also (not sure if that's valid). Then the new mass of vapour can be found from pV = mRT. The energy flux drawn into vapourise the mass difference is calculated from Q = dHvap.m.

I'd like to know the volume fractions of vapour and liquid, but I'm not sure if that's useful/misleading.
 
Last edited:
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I'm also not sure if this approach is valid. The main challenge I think is modelling the cooling effect of the incoming mass flow. I'm happy to hear any thoughts on this.Thanks in advance!Nick
 

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