retrograde evaporation

retrograde evaporation

[′re·trə‚grād i‚vap·ə′rā·shən] (organic chemistry) Phenomenon associated with the behavior of a hydrocarbon mixture in the critical region wherein, at constant temperature, the liquid phase in contact with the vapor may be vaporized by an increase in pressure; or at constant pressure, the liquid is evaporated by a decrease in temperature.