Phase behaviour of asymmetric mixtures for the net zero transition
File(s)
Author(s)
Latcham, Riley
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Understanding the thermophysical properties of fluids is crucial to the effective development of industrial processes and is dependent on models optimised against reliable experimental data that are always in short supply. Veridical since antiquity, the accelerating impact of climate change and unsustainable processes have promoted it to a problem of the utmost importance and urgency. The transition towards sustainability and net zero greenhouse gas emissions requires the resolution of many known unknowns and the dissolution of unknown unknowns. Of especial significance is the behaviour of the consistently asymmetric mixtures formed by carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). This work provides some essential fragments of the information required; investigating the phase behaviour of mixtures of carbon dioxide with methanol and with isobutane, and of hydrogen with isobutane, alongside the behaviour of hydrogen mixtures more broadly. Low uncertainty experimental measurements have extended the range of available data and have been applied to optimise and assess thermodynamic models suitable for use in process design and simulation. A methodology by which such measurements may be conducted has been developed to allow for unprecedented levels of automation, necessary to address knowledge gaps with sufficient haste. The possibility of apparatuses capable of autonomously exploring entire phase spaces, including self-calibration and some density measurement, has been demonstrated.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-05-05
Date Awarded
01/11/2025
License URL
Advisor
Trusler, Martin
Publisher Department
Department of Chemical Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)