Geometrical tools for teaching azeotropy using simplified thermodynamic models. (16th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Platt, Gustavo Mendes; Libotte, Gustavo Barbosa; Neto, Francisco Duarte Moura; Goulart, Douglas Alves; Lobato, Fran Sérgio
• Is Part Of: International journal of continuing engineering education and lifelong learning. Volume 31:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 439
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2021-08-16
• Subjects: azeotropes -- functions from the plane to the plane -- double azeotropy; Engineering -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 620.00715
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1560-4624

Abstract

In this work we propose a geometric view of the azeotropy problem, using some simplified models. We demonstrate that the occurrence of azeotropes in binary mixtures can be viewed-geometrically - as the intersection of curves in the plane (for some models, these curves are parabolas). Furthermore, the idea of functions from the plane to the plane is used to help understand the azeotropic phenomenon. These ideas are illustrated with two simple cases, with one and two azeotropes, allowing the analysis of a unusual thermodynamic behaviour - such as double azeotropy - with simple mathematical tools, by undergraduate students in chemical engineering courses.