Procedures for determining the critical parameters of fluids

An apparatus and procedures to determine the critical parameters and the vapor-liquid coexistence curve in the critical region by observing the disappearance of the vapor-liquid interface are described. The apparatus has the advantage of measuring the saturated vapor and liquid densities with only a single filling of the sample, and the procedures are applicable not only to pure fluids but also to mixtures. Three densities of liquid and eight of vapor on the coexistence curve for trifluoromethane are obtained, and the critical temperature, density, and pressure are also determined.