Applying the Soave-Redlich-Kwong Equation of State

The Soave-Redlich-Kwong single equation of state can accurately describe both the liquid and vapor phase. This Demonstration applies this equation of state to estimate several properties of ethane and plots isotherms for various values of the temperature varying from 274.15 K to 303.15 K. The liquid and gas molar volumes (in ) as well as the vapor pressure (in bar) of ethane at the selected temperature (in K) are obtained using the equal area rule (i.e., both shaded areas must be equal). The coordinates of the two orange dots correspond to liquid and gas molar volumes while the coordinate is the vapor pressure. The behavior of the isotherm between these two points is not physically realizable. It is a portion of the isotherm where the specific volume will vary continuously at a fixed temperature and pressure; this is the two-phase coexistence region. This behavior is not peculiar to the Soave-Redlich-Kwong equation of state; indeed many other equations of state show this behavior.