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UniversityThermodynamics16 min

Choosing a property method

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The model is a choice, and it matters

K-values (how each component splits between vapor and liquid) come from a thermodynamic property method, and the wrong choice gives confidently wrong answers.

Ideal (Raoult) — fine for similar, non-polar molecules at low pressure (benzene/toluene).

Peng–Robinson / SRK (cubic equations of state) — light gases and hydrocarbons, high pressure.

NRTL (activity coefficients) — strongly non-ideal polar mixtures: alcohols with water, anything that forms an azeotrope.

Ideal for easy mixtures, an EOS for gases/pressure, NRTL for polar/azeotropic systems.

Choosing a property method · LensaSim