Vapor‐liquid phase behavior of the helium‐methane system

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This report presents more extensive experimental vapor‐liquid equilibria data for the helium methane system than are found in the literature. A static sampling technique was used to obtain vapor and liquid compositions for six temperatures between −180° and −85°C. and pressures up to 2,000 lb./sq.in.abs. Data at 2,000 lb./sq.in.abs. were extended to the critical temperature of the mixture.Average scatter of the data from the smoothed lines is approximately 1% of the helium concentration or 0.03 mole % helium, whichever is larger. Vapor compositions at −140°, −160°, and −180°C. were analyzed by a different technique and scattered on the average from the smoothed curve less than 4% of the methane concentration. Comparisons are drawn between the data of this study and the previously published work of Kharakhorin. The solubility of helium in liquid methane was found to be considerably less than the values indicated by Kharakhorin.Experimental data are presented in tabular form and in various phase composition diagrams. The behavior of the helium‐methane system is seen to be very similar to that of the helium‐nitrogen system, with helium being much less soluble in methane than in nitrogen.The data were satisfactorily represented by means of the Krichevsky‐Kazarnovsky equation. Extrapolations to higher pressures should be feasible.
Keywords

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: