High-temperature vapour–liquid equilibrium for the water–alcohol systems and modeling with SAFT-VR: 1. Water–ethanol

Linear alcohols represent an important alternative source of energy. The design of industrial processing equipment of these alcohols needs accurate vapour–liquid equilibrium (VLE) measurements of binary mixtures with water at high temperatures.A flow apparatus was built to carry out vapour–liquid equilibrium at high temperatures for water–alcohol binary mixtures in the temperature range of 363–443 K and pressures up to 1.7 MPa. Experimental VLE data are presented for water–ethanol system for temperatures between 363.3 and 423.7 K, and pressures up to 1 MPa and compared with available literature data. Its performance was found to be commensurate with the design parameters and the required accuracy.The statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range (SAFT-VR) was used to correlate the data. The phase equilibria for this system are accurately described with this approach, especially considering that the parameters were obtained for a shorter region of the phase diagram.

► A vapour–liquid equilibrium at high temperatures flow apparatus was built.
► Measurements for water–ethanol system for temperatures between 363.3 and 423.7 K, and pressures up to 1 MPa were performed.
► Statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable range (SAFT-VR) was applied with success.