The isoenthalpic-isobaric ensemble (constant enthalpy and constant pressure ensemble) is a statistical mechanicalensemble that maintains constant enthalpy and constant pressure applied. It is also called the -ensemble, where the number of particles is also kept as a constant. It was developed by physicist H. C. Andersen in 1980.[1] The ensemble adds another degree of freedom, which represents the variable volume of a system to which the coordinates of all particles are relative. The volume becomes a dynamical variable with potential energy and kinetic energy given by .[2] The enthalpy is a conserved quantity.[3]
Using isoenthalpic-isobaric ensemble of Lennard-Jones fluid, it was shown [4] that the Joule–Thomson coefficient and inversion curve can be computed directly from a single molecular dynamics simulation. A complete vapor-compression refrigeration cycle and a vapor–liquid coexistence curve, as well as a reasonable estimate of the supercritical point can be also simulated from this approach.
NPH simulation can be carried out using GROMACS and LAMMPS.
References
^Andersen, H. C. Journal of Chemical Physics 72, 2384-2393 (1980).