Equilibria algorithm

Harvie, C.E., J.P. Greenberg and J. H. Weare, 1987, A chemical equilibrium algorithm for highly non-ideal multiphase systems free energy minimization. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 51, 1045-1057. 

The phase equilibrium problem consists of two parts the phase stability calculation and the phase split calculation. For a particular total mixture composition, the phase stability calculation determines if that feed will split into two or more phases. If it is determined that multiple phases are present, then one performs the phase split calculation, assuming some specified number of phases. One must then calculate the stability of the solutions to the phase split to ascertain that the assumed number of phases was correct. The key to this procedure is performing the phase stability calculation reliably. Unfortunately, this problem—which can be formulated as an optimization problem (or the equivalent set of nonlinear equations)— frequently has multiple minima and maxima. As a result, conventional phase equilibrium algorithms may fail to converge or may converge to the wrong solution. 

Both these polymers have an - A-B structure [14,15], so their characteristic ratio C(q) was obtained through the procedure outlined in Section 2.1.2 see Eqs. (2.1.33H21.35) in particular. Since we were interested in stereoirregular (i.e., atactic) polystyrene for comparison with experimental data, the matrix procedure based on parameters proposed by Yoon, Sundararajan, and Flory [111] was suitably complemented with the pseudostereochemical equilibrium algorithm, which allows units of opposite configuration to be formally interconvertible with fixed relative amounts [36]. In the temperature range 30-70 °C the results may be fairly well expressed by the following analytical forms ... 

Coupled phase-reaction equilibrium problems not only raise no new thermodynamic issues, but they also raise few new computational issues. By building on the phase and reaction-equilibrium algorithms presented earlier in this chapter, we can devise an elementary algorithm. Reaction-equilibrium problems typically start with known values for T, P, and initial mole numbers N° in a phase-equilibrium context, these variables identify an T problem, such as an isothermal flash calculation. Therefore we can combine the Rachford-Rice method with the reaction-equilibrium calculation given in 11.2 an example is provided in Figure 11.8 for a vapor-liquid situation. This is a traditional way for attacking multiphase-multireaction problems [21, 22] ... 

As discussed above no equation of state can accurately calculate phase equilibrium for the components in 1-5 at all relevant conditions instead activity coefficient models must be used. In such models, the characteristic basic property used by the phase equilibrium algorithms is the K-value, defined as Ki=yi/xj where yi and Xi are the mole fractions in the vapour and liquid phases, respectively. 

Application of the algorithm for analysis of vapor-liquid equilibrium data can be illustrated with the isobaric data of 0th-mer (1928) for the system acetone(1)-methanol(2). For simplicity, the van Laar equations are used here to express the activity coefficients. 

Cao, J., Voth, G.A. The formulation of quantum statistical mechanics based on the Feynman path centroid density. I. Equilibrium properties. J. Chem. Phys. 100 (1994) 5093-5105 II Dynamical properties. J. Chem. Phys. 100 (1994) 5106-5117 III. Phase space formalism and nalysis of centroid molecular dynamics. J. Chem. Phys. 101 (1994) 6157-6167 IV. Algorithms for centroid molecular dynamics. J. Chem. Phys. 101 (1994) 6168-6183 V. Quantum instantaneous normal mode theory of liquids. J. Chem. Phys. 101 (1994) 6184 6192. 

A similar algorithm has been used to sample the equilibrium distribution [p,(r )] in the conformational optimization of a tetrapeptide[5] and atomic clusters at low temperature.[6] It was found that when g > 1 the search of conformational space was greatly enhanced over standard Metropolis Monte Carlo methods. In this form, the velocity distribution can be thought to be Maxwellian. 

The algorithm was applied to the MD simulations of a box of water molecules. The three-center water model was used [23]. The initial positions were at the equilibrium therefore all displacements were zero. The initial velocities were... 

Molecular mechanics methods are not generally applicable to structures very far from equilibrium, such as transition structures. Calculations that use algebraic expressions to describe the reaction path and transition structure are usually semiclassical algorithms. These calculations use an energy expression fitted to an ah initio potential energy surface for that exact reaction, rather than using the same parameters for every molecule. Semiclassical calculations are discussed further in Chapter 19. 

An important though demanding book. Topics include statistical mechanics, Monte Carlo simulations, equilibrium and n on -equilibrium m olecular dyn am ics, an alysis of calculation al results, and applications of methods to problems in liquid dynamics. The authors also discuss and compare many algorithms used in force field simulations. Includes a microfiche containing dozens of Fortran-77 subroutines relevant to molecular dynamics and liquid simulations. 

Transition state search algorithms rather climb up the potential energy surface, unlike geometry optimization routines where an energy minimum is searched for. The characterization of even a simple reaction potential surface may result in location of more than one transition structure, and is likely to require many more individual calculations than are necessary to obtain equilibrium geometries for either reactant or product. 

If the constant temperature algorithm is used in a trajectory analysis, then the initial conditions are constantly being modified according to the simulation of the constant temperature bath and the relaxation of the molecular system to that bath temperature. The effect of such a bath on a trajectory analysis is less studied than for the simulation of equilibrium behavior. 

When the kinetics are unknown, still-useful information can be obtained by finding equilibrium compositions at fixed temperature or adiabatically, or at some specified approach to the adiabatic temperature, say within 25°C (45°F) of it. Such calculations require only an input of the components of the feed and produc ts and their thermodynamic properties, not their stoichiometric relations, and are based on Gibbs energy minimization. Computer programs appear, for instance, in Smith and Missen Chemical Reaction Equilibrium Analysis Theory and Algorithms, Wiley, 1982), but the problem often is laborious enough to warrant use of one of the several available commercial services and their data banks. Several simpler cases with specified stoichiometries are solved by Walas Phase Equilibiia in Chemical Engineering, Butterworths, 1985). 

Smith, W. R., and Missen, R. W, (1982). Chemical Reaction Equilibrium Analysis Theory and Algorithms, John Wiley and Sons, New York. 

But a computer simulation is more than a few clever data structures. We need algorithms to manipulate our system. In some way, we have to invent ways to let the big computer in our hands do things with the model that is useful for our needs. There are a number of ways for such a time evolution of the system the most prominent is the Monte Carlo procedure that follows an appropriate random path through configuration space in order to investigate equilibrium properties. Then there is molecular dynamics, which follows classical mechanical trajectories. There is a variety of dissipative dynamical methods, such as Brownian dynamics. All these techniques operate on the fundamental degrees of freedom of what we define to be our model. This is the common feature of computer simulations as opposed to other numerical approaches. 

Figure 8-12. Algorithm for establishing distillation column pressure and type condenser. Used by permission, Heniey, E. J. and Seader, J. D., Equilibrium Stage Separation Operations in Chemical Engineering, John Wiiey, (1981), p. 43, aii rights reserved.

The algorithm we used for solvent/polydisperse polymer equilibria calls for only one solvent/polymer interaction parameter. The interaction parameter (pto) i ed in the algorithm can be determined from essentially any type of ethylene/polyethylene phase equilibrium data. Cloud-point data have been used (18). while Cheng (16) and Harmony ( ) have done so from gas sorption data. 

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