Thermodynamics of constrained and unconstrained equilibrium systems and their phase rules

The two types of phase equilibria, the normal unconstrained one and the constrained one, and their thermodynamics are discussed. The concepts of potential and phase rule, which have recently been discussed in the literature, are reconsidered, and their formal definitions are analyzed in some detail. It is realized that in the unconstrained equilibrium system, the properly defined chemical potentials of all components must be constant across the...