Chapter 11.12, Problem 22P

In the sizing of separation equipment, you need to know the vapor–liquid equilibrium for the benzene (1) + acetonitrile (2) system. You have data for this system at 293.15 K, but not at your desired temperature, which is 318.15 K. You also know this system has an azeotrope at 293.15 K at about 12.7 kPa and 53% benzene.

1. A. Use the Wilson equation to fit all of the experimental data in Table P11-22 at 293.15 K.
2. B. Use the Wilson parameters determined from part (A) to predict the system behavior at 318.15 K.
3. C. Now that you have predicted the behavior (part (B)), how well does your prediction compare with the experimental data for this azeotrope at 318.15 K, which is P = 37.1 kPa and x₁ = y₁ = 0.52?