Stability theory for polydisperse fluid mixtures

Based on discrete multicomponent stability theory, a new method has been developed to obtain analytical expressions for spinodal and critical-point criteria for polydisperse fluid mixtures. This method is based on a theorem following from the classical theory of stability. Coupled with constraints (e.g. mole-fraction balance), this theorem yields analytical stability criteria for several multicomponent systems: a system containing one homologous series; a system containing one homologous series and one discrete component; and finally, a system containing an arbitrary number of homologous series and an arbitrary number of discrete components. The calculation procedure is much simpler than that using the classical determinant method. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.