1. What is the Compressibility Factor?

The compressibility factor (Z) is a dimensionless quantity that describes the deviation of a real gas from ideal gas behavior. It represents the ratio of the molar volume of a gas to the molar volume of an ideal gas at the same temperature and pressure.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the compressibility factor equation:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Compressibility factor (dimensionless)
• \( P \) — Pressure (Pa)
• \( V \) — Volume (m³)
• \( n \) — Number of moles (mol)
• \( R \) — Universal gas constant (8.314 J/mol·K)
• \( T \) — Temperature (K)

Explanation: For an ideal gas, Z = 1. For real gases, Z deviates from 1 due to intermolecular forces and molecular volume effects.

3. Importance of Z Factor Calculation

Details: The compressibility factor is crucial in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and gas processing for accurate prediction of gas behavior under various conditions, especially at high pressures and low temperatures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pressure in Pascals, volume in cubic meters, number of moles, and temperature in Kelvin. All values must be positive and non-zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does Z = 1 mean?
A: Z = 1 indicates ideal gas behavior, where gas molecules have negligible volume and no intermolecular forces.

Q2: When is Z greater than 1?
A: Z > 1 typically occurs at high pressures where repulsive forces dominate, making the gas less compressible than an ideal gas.

Q3: When is Z less than 1?
A: Z < 1 typically occurs at moderate pressures where attractive forces dominate, making the gas more compressible than an ideal gas.

Q4: What are typical Z values for common gases?
A: At standard conditions, most gases have Z values close to 1. At high pressures, Z can range from 0.2 to 2.0 or more.

Q5: How does temperature affect Z factor?
A: At constant pressure, Z generally approaches 1 as temperature increases, since thermal energy overcomes intermolecular forces.