Life, data, and everything*
Marco A. Satyro
Virtual Materials Group, Inc., The Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology, 830 Campus Place NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
Abstract: The use of thermodynamics for the solution of chemical and process engineering problems is determined by a blend of science, engineering, art, and grit. Although chemical engineering thermodynamics benefits from an ever-increasing body of basic scientific knowledge, the solution of real problems still depends very much on the knowledge of individuals, their creativity, and their determination to recommend solutions. The essence of success is determined by a combination of two apparently simple components-physical property data and how they are used.
Keywords: thermodynamics; phase equilibria; fluid characterization; equations of state; fluid properties.
*Paper based on a presentation at the 19th International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics (ICCT-19), 30 July to 4 August 2006, Boulder, CO, USA. Other presentations are published in this issue, pp. 1345-1462.