Acquiring
accurate experimental thermodynamic data is very useful
for the development of models and chemical processes. Although there
are plenty of data in the scientific literature, there are still many
missing. In fact, many of the easier measurements have been made,
and far more of the remaining ones deal with either complex systems
or extreme conditions. Clearly new adequate equipment for acquiring
such data are welcome. For these purposes, advice coming from several
decades of equipment design experience are exposed herein. After defining
the aim pursued and consequently the type of desired thermodynamic
quantity, it is necessary to take into account all physical and chemical
constraints: viscosity, density, corrosive power of studied chemical
systems, temperature, pressure together with other important points
such as miniaturization, efficient stirring, avoiding both dead volume
and polymer sealing. The other aim of this paper is to present a high
temperature and high pressure apparatus capable of measuring the phase
equilibria of systems exhibiting vapor–liquid–liquid
behavior. The apparatus designed and built consists mainly of an equilibrium
cell (70 cm3), novel high temperature, and high pressure
samplers and a gas chromatograph. A detailed description of the apparatus
is presented. Preliminary measurements are presented for propane in
water, cyclohexane in water, and water in cyclohexane up to 498.8
K. In addition the solubility of 2-methylfuran in water up to 413
K and 1548 kPa was measured.