Phase diagrams

This is the type of phase diagram observed for aqueous systems with two polymers that cause two phases to form. The apex A is for water while B and C are polymers. Similar diagrams exist when one of the polymers is replaced by a salt that is highly soluble in water.

In the dark blue area where there is an abundance of water, everything is soluble to give but one phase. In the blue-green area, two phases form. A tie line through the overall composition intersects the envelope of this area at points that are the compositions of the two liquid phases. It is desirable to have the envelope as far from B and C as possible so that not much expensive polymer is needed to get the phases to form. However, the distribution coefficient may not be very favorable when the polymers are dilute.

  • Help on reading phase diagrams 
    while on sabbatical leave, ESB, Porto, Portugal July 1996