Liquid methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is introduced into a vessel containing air. The system temperature is increased to 55°C, and the vessel contents reach equilibrium with some MEK remaining in the liquid state. The equilibrium pressure is 1200 mm Hg.
(a) Use the Gibbs phase rule to determine how many degrees of freedom exist for the system at equilibrium. State the meaning of your result in your own words.
(b) Mixtures of MEK vapor and air that contain between 1.8 mole% MEK and 11.5 mole% MEK can ignite and burn explosively if exposed to a flame or spark. Determine whether or not the given vessel constitutes an explosion hazard.