This example shows how to use VLookup with the xls Solver to facilitate  multicomponent  VLE calculations for ideal solutions: bubble, dew, and isothermal flash. (15min, uakron.edu) The product xls file serves as a starting point for multicomponent VLE calculations with activity models and for adiabatic flash and stream enthalpy calculations. This video shows sample calculations for the bubble, dew, and flash of propane, isobutane, and n-butane, like Example 10.1.

Note: This is a companion file in a series. You may wish to choose your own order for viewing them. For example, you should implement the first three videos before implementing this one. Also, you might like to see how to quickly visualize the Txy analog of the Pxy phase diagram. If you see a phase diagram like the ones in section 11.8, you might want to learn about LLE phase diagrams. The links on the software tutorial present a summary of the techniques to be implemented throughout Unit3 in a quick access format that is more compact than what is presented elsewhere. Some students may find it helpful to refer to this compact list when they find themselves "not being able to find the forest because of all the trees."

Comprehension Questions - Assume the reboiler composition for the column in Example 10.1 was zi={0.2,0.3,0.5} for n-butane, isopentane, and n-pentane, respectively.

a)  Calculate the temperature at which the boiler must operate in order to boil the bottoms product completely at 8 bars.
b)  Assuming the bottoms product liquid is in equilibrium with the liquid in the boiler, calculate the temperature of boiler and composition of the vapor in the boiler.
c)  Suppose this stream is to be boiled again and the vapor returned to the column with a ratio of 2 parts vapor to 1 product. (FYI: this is known as "boilup ratio.") Find the relevant temperature and compositions.

Principles of Probability II, Counting Events, Permutations and Combinations. This part discusses the binomial and multinomial coefficients for putting particles in boxes. The binomial and multinomial coefficient are used in section 4.2 to quantify configurational entropy. (msu.edu, 16min) (Flash) You might like to check out the sample calculations below before attempting the comprehension questions.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Write the formulas for the binomial coefficient, the multinomial coefficient, and the multinomial with repetition.
2. Ten particles are distributed between two boxes. Compute the number of possible ways of achieving 7 particles in Box A and 3 particles in Box B.
3. Note that the binomial distribution is a special case of the multinomial distribution where the number of categories is 2. Also note that the total number of events for a multinomial distribution is given by M^N where M is the number of categories (aka. outcomes, e.g. boxes) and N is the number of objects (aka. trials, e.g. particles). The probability of a particular observation is given by the number of combinations divided by the total number of events. Compute the probability of observing 7 particles in Box A and 3 Particles in Box B.
4. Ten particles are distributed between three boxes. Compute the probability of observing 7 particles in Box A, 3 particles in Box B, and zero particles in Box C.
5. Ten particles are distributed between three boxes. Compute the probability of observing 3 particles in Box A, 3 particles in Box B, and 4 particles in Box C.

Principles of Probability I, General Concepts, Correlated and Conditional Events. (msu.edu, 17min) (Flash)
Comprehension Questions:
1. Estimate the probability of pulling an king from a randomly shuffled deck of 52 cards.
2. A coin is flipped 5 times. Estimate the probability that heads is observed three of the 5 times.
3. A die (singular of dice) is a cube with the numbers 1-6 inscribed on its 6 faces. If you roll the die 7 times, what is the probability that 5 will be observed on all 7 rolls?

Txy Phase Diagram Showing LLE and VLE Simultaneously (9min,uakron.edu)

The binary Txy phase diagram of methanol+benzene is visualized with sample calculations of the SSCED model with several values of the nonideality (k_ij) parameter. The calculations show the liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) phase boundary as well as the vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) boundary. As the estimated nonideality (k_ij) increases, the LLE boundary crashes into the VLE. It is so exciting that it makes a thermo nerd wax poetic about the "valley of Gibbs."

Comprehension Questions:

1. The LLE phase boundary moves up as the nonideality increases. Which way does the VLE contribution move? Explain how this relates to the molecules' escaping tendencies.
2. How would this phase diagram change if the pressure was increased to, say, 10 bars?
3. What value of k_ij is required to make the LLE binodal barely touch the VLE at 1 bar?
4. What value of k_ij is required to make the LLE binodal barely touch the VLE at 10 bars?