A new method to combine high-pressure vapor-liquid equilibrium and thermophysical property measurements for low-volatility liquids and a gas

Vapor-liquid equilibria measurements involving liquids with low volatility, such as many types of lubricants, ionic liquids, and various solvents are essential for process research and development in a wide variety of fields. State-of-the-art methods to measure these phase equilibria, e.g. thermogravimetric analysis or equilibrium cells, generally cannot be combined with instruments measuring thermophysical properties, e.g. density, transport properties, spectroscopic properties, etc. A novel approach was developed to measure simultaneously vapor-liquid equilibrium and thermophysical properties involving a single gas dissolved in one or more low-volatility liquids. The method is based upon a mass balance measuring liquid phase density, total masses in the system, and volumes. The governing equations of the novel approach are derived, and a detailed uncertainty analysis is presented. As an example, the solubility, density, and viscosity are measured with the new apparatus for a system of a non-volatile ionic liquid solvent saturated with the compressed hydrofluorocarbon gas, pentafluoroethane (R-125), at 25 degrees C and 75 degrees C and pressures to similar to 3.1 MPa. The solubility data are validated by comparison to previously published literature data using a high precision gravimetric microbalance. The combination of vapor-liquid equilibria and thermophysical properties in a single experiment can significantly accelerate scientific and engineering studies.