4 replies to this topic

[Phenom]

Hello!

I have 3 sources available for solubilities of data and I need to compare them with the results I have obtained. Which is the most efficient way to compare - use of mass fraction or use of mole fraction?

Thank you in advance.

[Absolute Zero]

I assume mole fraction is the efficient way to analyse the data

[Padmakar Katre]

Hello! I have 3 sources available for solubilities of data and I need to compare them with the results I have obtained. Which is the most efficient way to compare - use of mass fraction or use of mole fraction? Thank you in advance.

What difference in makes in your opinion when the entire data is consistent in either mass fraction or mol facrtion.

[MrShorty]

Which is the most efficient way to compare - use of mass fraction or use of mole fraction?

I'm not sure there is a single, universally correct answer for this question.

I recall one set of solubilities my coworker was looking at where the solubilities were constant from solvent to solvent when looked at on a molal basis, so we compared those data that way. If we had used mole fraction, there would have been an additional parameter needed to describe the data.

Some like to use volume fraction when comparing/modeling polymer/solvent systems. Something about how the small molecule can only "interact" with a small part of the large polymer molecules causes these people to prefer volume fraction over mole fraction.

Most EOS/activity coefficient equations that I'm used to are solved for mole fraction. If I'm using these equations/programs to compare/model the data, it is usually easier to work with mole fractions.

In the end, it really depends on what comparison shows the trends in the data (if any) in a way that is most meaningful. Because there are situations like the above, I'm not sure there is a single one-size-fits-all answer to the question.

[S.AHMAD]

Dear members

1. For comparison purpose, it does not matter to use mole fraction, mass fraction of volume fraction. As long as you understand the implication.

2. However, for most engineering calculations, using mole fraction is more UNIVERSAL. E.g. partial pressure of gas = mole fraction x total pressure is applicable to all perfect gases.

3. Finally, we end up a mass balance.

Edited by S.AHMAD, 03 January 2012 - 08:07 PM.