ABSTRACT
The separation processes discussed in this book involve interactions between vapor and liquid phases, or between two liquid phases, or between a vapor phase and two liquid phases. The thermodynamic principles that govern these interactions are introduced in this chapter. Because this chapter is not intended as a full treatise on thermodynamics, only those aspects of the subject that have a direct bearing on phase separation processes are covered. To this end, theory is developed from basic principles and carried through to the formulation of practical methods for calculating relevant thermodynamic properties, such as fugacity and enthalpy. These properties are essential for carrying out heat and material balance calculations in the separation processes described in this book.
