The search for tricriticality in binary mixtures of near-critical propane and normal paraffins

• Published in: Fluid phase equilibria Vol. 51; pp. 339 - 351
• Main Authors: Peters, C.J., Van Der Kooi, H.J., De Roo, J.L., De Swaan Arons, J., Gallagher, J.S., Sengers, J.M.H.Levelt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.1989; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Phase equilibria; Critical state; Temperature; Phase composition; Hydrocarbon; Aliphatic compound; Binary system; Saturated compound; Theoretical study; Liquid phase; Experimental study; Pressure; Vapor phase; Alkane; Liquid vapor equilibrium; Miscibility; Phase equilibrium; Propane
• ISSN: 0378-3812; 1879-0224
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-3812(89)80375-9

This paper reports on three-phase equilibria liquid + liquid + vapor of binary mixtures of near-critical propane and higher normal paraffins. Special attention has been given to locate the (pseudo-)binary first showing partial miscibility in the liquid phase. For that purpose the three-phase equilibria liquid + liquid + vapor, including critical endpoints, have been determined experimentally in the binaries C 3 + C 32, C 3 + C 34, C 3 + C 36, C 3 + C 38, C 3 + C 40 C 3 + C 44, C 3 + C 46 and C 3 + C 50. Extrapolation of the results obtained shows that for a carbon number between 29 and 30 tricriticality has to be expected. In order to model the measured three-phase equilibrium data, an algorithm has been developed on the basis of the simplified perturbed hard chain theory. The calculations are still in progress.