The systematic classification of complete phase diagrams for binary systems and theoretical derivation of ternary phase diagrams with one volatile component, based on the method of continuous topological transformation, are briefly discussed. Review of high-temperature experimental data for ternary water-salt systems permits to establish both the main directions of phase transformations at sub- and supercritical conditions and some details of phase behavior in stable and metastable equilibria. The greater attention is paid to the ternary systems with binary water-salt subsystems of different types, where the heterogenization of homogeneous supercritical fluid takes place. The topological schemes of ternary phase diagrams are used for interpretation of available experimental data both for critical and non-critical phase behavior in stable and metastable conditions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.