Vapour - Liquid Equilibrium measurements of CO2 based mixtures: Experimental apparatus and testing procedures

At present, the accurate evaluation of the thermo-physical behaviour of multicomponent fluids represents a crucial element for studying and simulating low CO2 emission energy conversion technologies. In order to extend the range of application of the available thermodynamic models, an intense experimental research activity has been performed in recent years. The main purpose of this paper is to describe the experimental and modelling procedures applied by the authors to measure and to analyse data extracted from the Vapour-Liquid Equilibrium apparatus recently installed at LEAP laboratory. This test rig allows the characterization of mixture phase equilibrium properties on the basis of the static-analytical method, within the pressure and temperature ranges of 0-20 MPa and -60-200°C. Finally, the paper reports the most relevant features and the main guidelines for the instruments calibration procedures. © 2013 The Authors.