Talk:Relative volatility/Draft

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This a Wikipedia article that I created

This is a Wikipedia article of the same name of which I was the original author and major contributor. I have re-formatted it, added a new section and madw it compatible with CZ. - Milton Beychok 23:45, 16 February 2008 (CST)

First figure

Milt, in the first figure you drew the letters "cw" (near the condensor). What does that mean?--Paul Wormer 15:38, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

"cw" is a commonly used abbreviation for "cooling water". If you think it is needed, I will revise the drawing to spell it out. Let me know. Milton Beychok 16:13, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

I feel that when it is there you should explain it. You can (i) skip it (ii) give it in the caption or (iii) put it in full in the figure. The choice is yours, I would choose (ii).--Paul Wormer 16:19, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Done. Milton Beychok 19:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Second figure

Milt, in the second figure you list pressures, not temperatures. Would it not be better to use a generic symbol, e.g., Q, and to have Q₁ < Q₂ < Q₃ < Q_∞ and then say that Q is either P or T and that for large Q ( = Q_∞) the dependence is linear (α = 1)?--Paul Wormer 15:55, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Good idea with one exception. I would prefer the linear line (α = 1) be simply Q₄ rather than Q_∞ ... and include a note stating that α = 1 at Q₄. I will make that revision later this morning. Milton Beychok 16:37, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Done. Milton Beychok 19:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

comma

Let's start an edit war :-). Maybe you should make the sentence somewhat longer and write: When the volatilities of both key components are equal it follows that α = 1 and ....--Paul Wormer 16:01, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

But then I would add a comma and make it read:When the volatilities of both key components are equal, it follows that α = 1 and ..... Try speaking it out loud and you will notice that you automatically insert a silent comma between equal and it follows.... But if you want to change it, go ahead. Milton Beychok 16:19, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Make it longer plus comma, then it is perfect.--Paul Wormer 16:21, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Will do. Milton Beychok 16:39, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

Done. Milton Beychok 19:26, 8 April 2009 (UTC)

The article has now been approved!

Congratulations, Milt! You can view the finished and Approved article at Relative volatility. Hayford Peirce 16:27, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Thanks, Hayford. Milton Beychok 16:44, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Effect of T & P

Milton, it might be nice to state more clearly in language what your diagram shows, with perhaps a simple example. Something like at X degrees and 1 atm for a binary solution of water and pentane, the relative volatility is Y, so that very little water is in the vapor form compared to pentane. However, at 500 C at 10 atm, both liquids boil vigorously and the relative volatility is 1, so that the two compounds cannot be separated. Basically, emphasize the fact that higher temperatures do not equal higher separation efficiency.

The diagram points this out nicely, but many people will not understand graphs with multiple lines like this. David E. Volk 16:22, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

David, I will write up something such as you suggest in the next day or two, However, I think I will base it on a binary solution of say butane and pentane ... water and pentane are mutually insoluble and will separate without distillation. (:>) Milton Beychok 17:39, 27 October 2009 (UTC)

As promised, I have revised the diagram and expanded the explanation of the diagram quite a bit to make it easier to understand. Milton Beychok 20:15, 29 October 2009 (UTC)