1.

1 Title

Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium.

2.1 Objective

To determine the VLE relationship for binary mixture and to plot the equilibrium curve.

3.1 Introduction

Vapour-Liquid equilibrium (VLE) is known as a condition where a liquid and vapour

phase are in equilibrium state, where there is no net change between liquid and vapour phase
and the rate of evaporation is same as the condensation rate.

In theoretical, it is impossible to reach the state of equilibrium in an open container, but

such equilibrium can be practically achieved within a closed system where the liquid and
vapour are able to stand in contact with each other for a long enough period without interference
within the system. By obtaining the equilibrium sample, the equilibrium curve of the binary
system can be obtained by identifying the mole fraction of substance in the liquid and vapour
sample.

The purpose of carrying out this experiment by using Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium is to

construct an equilibrium curve for ethanol and water system at atmosphere pressure (1 bar).
The apparatus comprised of a main insulated evaporator connected with a condenser. The
ethanol-water mixture is initially fed into the evaporator through the evaporator inlet valve.
After turning on the heater, the mixture starts to boil up. The evaporated vapour rose up to top
and cooled down by the condenser. The condensed liquid will fall back into the evaporator.
The whole cycle continues until it has reached the equilibrium state and the temperature stayed
constant. The cooling water flow rate was controlled by the gate valve and measured with a
flow meter. In order to control the cycle pressure, pressure relief valve is used during the
process.

The composition of the liquid (bottom product) and vapour (top product) are
determined by using refractive index (RI). Refractive index is known as a ratio of velocity light
in a vacuum to its velocity in a particular medium. In this case, the Distillation Column is the
example for the application of Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium (VLE) in an equipment.

4.1 Methodology

 Refractometer
 Beakers
 Dropper
 2-ethanol-water mixture (0 v/v %, 20 v/v %, 40 v/v %, 60 v/v %, 80 v/v %, 100 v/v %)
 Vapour-liquid equilibrium apparatus
 Goggles

Figure 1: Vapor-liquid Equilibrium Apparatus

Figure 2 Process Flow Diagram for the Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium Unit