Influence of pressure and temperature on the physico-chemical properties of mobile phase mixtures commonly used in high-performance liquid chromatography

To fulfil the increasing demand for faster and more complex separations, modern HPLC separations are performed at ever higher pressures and temperatures. Under these operating conditions, it is no longer possible to safely assume the mobile phase fluid properties to be invariable of the governing pressures and temperatures, without this resulting in significantly deficient results. A detailed insight in the influence of pressure and temperature on the physico-chemical properties of the most commonly used liquid mobile phases: water-methanol and water-acetonitrile mixtures, therefore becomes very timely. Viscosity, isothermal compressibility and density were measured for pressures up to 1000 bar and temperatures up to 100 degrees C for the entire range of water-methanol and water-acetonitrile mixtures. The paper reports on two different viscosity values: apparent and real viscosities. The apparent viscosities represent the apparent flow resistance under high pressure referred to by the flow rates measured at atmospheric pressure. They are of great practical use, because the flow rates at atmospheric pressure are commonly stable and more easily measurable in a chromatographic setup. The real viscosities are those complying with the physical definition of viscosity and they are important from a fundamental point of view. By measuring the isothermal compressibility, the actual volumetric flow rates at elevated pressures and temperatures can be calculated. The viscosities corresponding to these flow rates are the real viscosities of the solvent under the given elevated pressure and temperature. The measurements agree very well with existing literature data, which mainly focus on pure water, methanol and acetonitrile and are only available for a limited range of temperatures and pressures. As a consequence, the physico-chemical properties reported on in this paper provide a significant extension to the range of data available, hereby providing useful data to practical as well as theoretical chromatographers investigating the limits of modern day HPLC.     

Melting and dissociation of ammonia at high pressure and high temperature

Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements of ammonia (NH(3)) in laser-heated diamond anvil cells, at pressures up to 60 GPa and temperatures up to 2500 K, reveal that the melting line exhibits a maximum near 37 GPa and intermolecular proton fluctuations substantially increase in the fluid with pressure. We find that NH(3) is chemically unstable at high pressures, partially dissociating into N(2) and H(2). Ab initio calculations performed in this work show that this process is thermodynamically driven. The chemical reactivity dramatically increases at high temperature (in the fluid phase at T > 1700 K) almost independent of pressure. Quenched from these high temperature conditions, NH(3) exhibits structural differences from known solid phases. We argue that chemical reactivity of NH(3) competes with the theoretically predicted dynamic dissociation and ionization.     

Pressure dependence of the vapor-liquid-liquid phase behavior in ternary mixtures consisting of n-alkanes, n-perfluoroalkanes, and carbon dioxide

Expansion of an organic solvent by an inert gas can be used to tune the solvent's liquid density, solubility strength, and transport properties. In particular, gas expansion can be used to induce miscibility at low temperatures for solvent combinations that are biphasic at standard pressure. Configurational-bias Monte Carlo simulations in the Gibbs ensemble were carried out to investigate the vapor-liquid-liquid equilibria and microscopic structures for two ternary systems: n-decane/n-perfluorohexane/CO2 and n-hexane/n-perfluorodecane/CO2. These simulations employed the united-atom version of the transferable potential for phase equilibria (TraPPE-UA) force field. Initial simulations for binary mixtures of n-alkanes and n-perfluoroalkanes showed that special mixing parameters are required for the unlike interactions of CHx and CFy pseudoatoms to yield satisfactory results. The calculated upper critical solution pressures for the ternary mixtures at a temperature of 298 K are in excellent agreement with the available experimental data and predictions using the SAFT-VR (statistical associating fluid theory of variable range) equation of state. The simulations yield asymmetric compositions for the coexisting liquid phases and different degrees of microheterogeneity as measured by local mole fraction enhancements.     

Physical adsorption of gases: the case for absolute adsorption as the basis for thermodynamic analysis

We discuss the thermodynamics of physical adsorption of gases in porous solids. The measurement of the amount of gas adsorbed in a solid requires specialized volumetric and gravimetric techniques based upon the concept of the surface excess. Excess adsorption isotherms provide thermodynamic information about the gas-solid system but are difficult to interpret at high pressure because of peculiarities such as intersecting isotherms. Quantities such as pore density and heats of adsorption are undefined for excess isotherms at high pressure. These difficulties vanish when excess isotherms are converted to absolute adsorption. Using the proper definitions, the special features of adsorption can be incorporated into a rigorous framework of solution thermodynamics. Practical applications including mixed-gas equilibria, equations for adsorption isotherms, and methods for calculating thermodynamic properties are covered. The primary limitations of the absolute adsorption formalism arise from the need to estimate pore volumes and in the application to systems with larger mesopores or macropores at high bulk pressures and temperatures where the thermodynamic properties may be dominated by contributions from the bulk fluid. Under these circumstances a rigorous treatment of the thermodynamics requires consideration of the adsorption cell and its contents (bulk gas, porous solid and confined fluid).     

Artificial multiple criticality and phase equilibria: an investigation of the PC-SAFT approach

The perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) is studied for a wide range of temperature, T, pressure, p, and (effective) chain length, m, to establish the generic phase diagram of polymers according to this theory. In addition to the expected gas-liquid coexistence, two additional phase separations are found, termed "gas-gas" equilibrium (at very low densities) and "liquid-liquid" equilibrium (at densities where the system is expected to be solid already). These phase separations imply that in one-component polymer systems three critical points occur, as well as equilibria of three fluid phases at triple points. However, Monte Carlo simulations of the corresponding system yield no trace of the gas-gas and liquid-liquid equilibria, and we conclude that the latter are just artefacts of the PC-SAFT approach. Using PC-SAFT to correlate data for polybutadiene melts, we suggest that discrepancies in modelling the polymer density at ambient temperature and high pressure can be related to the presumably artificial liquid-liquid phase separation at lower temperatures. Thus, particular care is needed in engineering applications of the PC-SAFT theory that aims at predicting properties of macromolecular materials.     

Vapor-liquid equilibria for the nitrogen-isobutane system

Vapor-liquid equilibria have been investigated experimentally for the nitrogen-isobutane system at temperatures from 120 K to 220 K and at pressures up to 150 bar. Below 126.5 K, two liquid phases were observed as pressure was increased to near the vapor pressure of pure nitrogen. The equilibrium ratio of nitrogen in the binary system and the Henry’s law constants for nitrogen in isobutane were determined from experimental data. The experimental phase equilibrium data were correlated by means of the Peng-Robinson equation of state.     

The energetics of metabolism in hydrothermal systems: Calculation of the standard molal thermodynamic properties of magnesium-complexed adenosine nucleotides and NAD and NADP at elevated temperatures and pressures

Calculation of the thermodynamic properties of biomolecules at high temperatures and pressures is fundamental to understanding the energetics of metabolism in hydrothermal systems. Perhaps the most direct interaction between hyperthermophilic microbes and their aquatic and mineralogic habitat involves conversion of environmentally available redox potential into biochemically useful energy. Although chemical thermodynamics can be used to quantify this process, little is known about the thermodynamic properties of the biomolecules involved, especially at high temperatures. However, recent advances in theoretical biogeochemistry make it possible to calculate these properties using the limited experimental data available in the literature, together with group additivity and correlation algorithms, reference model compounds and reactions, and the revised-HKF equations of state. This approach permits calculation of the standard molal thermodynamic properties and equations of state parameters for magnesium-complexed adenosine nucleotides, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides (NADs), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphates (NADPs) as a function of pressure and temperature. The thermodynamic properties and revised-HKF equations of state parameters generated in the present study can be used to carry out comprehensive mass transfer and Gibbs energy calculations to quantify the energetics of microbial energy production in hydrothermal systems.     

Equations for describing liquid-vapor phase equilibria in binary mixtures

Three forms of equations for describing experimental data on liquid and vapor pressures, depending on temperature and composition at phase equilibria in binary mixtures, are proposed and evaluated. It is determined that the form of equation depends on the relationship between the temperature of a mixture and the critical temperatures of the components of the mixture. Exact data on the phase equilibria in nitrogenoxygen, nitrogen-argon, and oxygen-argon mixtures [1] are approximated to assess the effectiveness of the equations’ forms. It is found that the equations also allow us to determine the phase composition at a given temperature and pressure and temperatures of phases at a given pressure and composition.     

Supercritical water as a solvent

Water is not restricted to moderate temperatures and low pressures, but can exist up to very high temperatures, far above its critical point at 647 K. In this supercritical regime, water can be gradually compressed from gas-like to liquid-like densities. The resulting dense supercritical states have extraordinary properties which can be tuned by temperature and pressure, and form the basis for innovative technologies. This Review covers the current knowledge of the major properties of supercritical water and its solutions with nonpolar, polar, and ionic compounds, and of the underlying molecular processes.     

Polymorphism of dense, hot oxygen

The phase diagram and polymorphism of oxygen at high pressures and temperatures are of great interest to condensed matter and earth science. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of oxygen using laser and resistively heated diamond anvil cells reveal that the molecular high-pressure phase ε-O(2), which consists of (O(2))(4) clusters, reversibly transforms in the pressure range of 44 to 90 GPa and temperatures near 1000 K to a new phase with higher symmetry. The data suggest that this new phase (η') is isostructural to a phase η reported previously at lower pressures and temperatures, but differs from it in the P-T range of stability and type of intermolecular association. The melting curve increases monotonically up to the maximum pressures studied (～60 GPa). The structure factor of the fluid measured as a function of pressure to 58 GPa shows continuous changes toward molecular dissociation.     

K<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-KCl-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O phase diagram in the area of heterogenization of homogeneous supercritical fluids

The experimental investigations of phase equilibria in the K₂SO₄-KCl-H₂O system at temperatures to 500°C and pressures to 100 MPa were directed to elucidate the phase transformation sequence that leads to the heterogenization of the supercritical fluid whose existence field propagates from the K₂SO₄-H₂O binary subsystem to the ternary system. We suggest that fluid heterogenization in the title ternary system is accompanied by the transformation of the metastable immiscibility field to stable equilibria at elevated temperatures (near 460°C) and unexpectedly high pressures (～60 MPa), despite the presence of a vapor phase.     

Influence of size and shape effects on the high-pressure solubility of n-alkanes: Experimental data, correlation and prediction

(Solid + liquid) phase equilibria (SLE) of (n-hexadecane, or n-octadecane + 3-methylpentane, or 2,2-dimethylbutane, or benzene) at very high pressures up to about 1.0 GPa have been investigated at the temperature range from T = (293 to 353) K. The thermostated apparatus for the measurements of transition pressures from the liquid to the solid state in two component isothermal solutions was used. The pressure-temperature-composition relation of the high pressure (solid + liquid) phase equilibria, polynomial based on the general solubility equation at atmospheric pressure was satisfactorily used. Additionally, the SLE of binary systems (n-hexadecane, or n-octadecane + 3-methylpentane, or 2,2-dimethylbutane, or benzene, or n-hexane or cyclohexane) at normal pressure was discussed. The results at high pressures were compared for every system to these at normal pressure. The influence of the size and shape effects on the solubility at 0.1 MPa and high pressure up to 600 MPa was discussed.The main aim of this work was to predict the mixture behaviour using only pure components data and cubic equation of state in the wide range of pressures, far above the pressure range which cubic equations of state are normally applied to. The fluid phase behaviour is described by the corrected SRK-EOS and the van der Waals one fluid mixing rules.     

Industrial Polymerization Monitoring

Summary: Monitoring and control of polymerization reactions is essential for high process safety, high product quality and competitive production costs. Ideally the entire process chain is regarded, starting with raw material analysis and the polymerization reaction up to the measurement of polymer- and application- properties. Process data like temperatures and pressures can be used to monitor reaction trajectories in a cost effective way, e.g. using calorimetric evaluations. Additional sensors can provide chemical or morphological information but must be robust and inexpensive for commercial applications (e.g. NIR- or Raman spectroscopy). Data from these different sources can be used for multivariate data analysis, delivering additional insights that might not be obtained by direct measurement.     

Chemical‐kinetic modeling of ignition delay: Considerations in interpreting shock tube data

High‐pressure shock tube ignition delays have been and continue to be one of the key sources of data that are important to characterizing the combustion properties of real fuels. At pressures and temperatures of importance to practical applications, concerns have recently been raised as to the large differences observed between experimental data and chemical‐kinetic predictions using the common assumption that the shock tube behaves as a constant volume (V) system with constant internal energy (U). Here, a concise review is presented of phenomena that can considerably affect shock tube data at the extended test times (several milliseconds or longer) needed for the measurement of fuel/air ignition at practical conditions (i.e., high pressures and relatively low temperatures). These effects include fluid dynamic nonidealities as well as deflagrative processes typical of mild ignition events. Proposed modeling approaches that attempt to take into account these effects, by employing isentropic assumptions and pressure‐ and temperature‐varying systems, are evaluated and shown to significantly improve modeling results. Finally, it is argued that at the conditions of interest ignition delay data do not represent pure chemical‐kinetic observations but are affected by phenomena that are in some measure facility specific. This hampers direct cross comparison of the experimental ignition data collected in different venues. In such cases, pressure/temperature histories should be provided in order to properly interpret shock tube ignition data. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 143–150, 2010     

Solubility study of methane,carbon dioxide and nitrogen in ethylene glycol at elevated temperatures and pressures

An experimental apparatus was built for measuring the gas solubility at high temperature and pressure. An auxiliary system was developed to keep the system pressure constant while the liquid samples are withdrawn. Solubility of methane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen in ethylene glycol (EG) was determined experimentally at temperatures of 323.15, 373.15 and 398.15 K and pressures up to 40 MPa. SRK equation of state was used to calculate the phase equilibria for those polar asymmetric systems.     

Calculation of phase behavior and chemical transformations in H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>-CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system using a modified hole quasichemical model

A technique for calculation of phase equilibria over a wide range of temperatures and pressures for fluid systems, where chemical interactions lead to the formation of ionic species, was developed. A hole quasichemical model was modified to account for chemical reactions and electrostatic interactions in the liquid phase. The densities and dielectric permittivity as function of a solution composition was taken into account in describing the electrostatic contribution to the Gibbs energy (Pitzer approximation) and Born contribution, that is required for thermodynamic consistency of simulation results. A method of assessing the appropriate relationships for mixtures of ammonia-water and ternary solutions was suggested. Calculations of the phase behavior of the H₂O-NH₃ system in the entire range of concentrations in the temperature interval 373–588 K at pressures up to 200 bar, and also of H₂O-NH₃-CO₂ system containing NH₃ to 30 mol% and CO₂ up to 14 mol% in the temperature range 373–473 K at pressures to 88 bar gave satisfactory agreement with experimental data. Concentrations of the molecular and ionic individuals in the liquid phase, depending on the overall composition of the mixture were evaluated.     

PVTx relationships and solid-liquid equilibria for the m-xylene-p-xylene system under high pressures

PVTx relationships of the m-xylene-p-xylene system have been measured with a glass piezometer at 283.15 and 298.15 K and pressures up to 200 MPa, or up to the point of solidification of m-xylene where this occurred at a lower pressure. Freezing pressures of m-xylene were observed as a discontinuity in the volume at increasing pressure. Approximate solid-liquid equilibria under high pressures were obtained from the freezing pressure measurement. The Carnahan-Starling-van der Waals (CS-vdW) equation of state was used to correlate the PVTx data. The solid-liquid equilibria under high pressures were calculated with the CS-vdW equation of state for the liquid phase and a simple equation of state for the solid phase. In order to test the validity of the calculation method, the solid-liquid equilibrium relationships of the benzene-cyclohexane system were also calculated. It was found that the solid molar volume should be treated as a function of temperature and/or pressure to fit the experimental data.     

A new and reliable model for predicting methane viscosity at high pressures and high temperatures

In recent years, there has been an increase of interest in the flow of gases at relatively high pressures and high temperatures. Hydrodynamic calculation of the energy losses in the flow of gases in conduits, as well as through the porous media constituting natural petroleum reservoirs, requires knowledge of the viscosity of the fluid at the pressure and temperature involved. Although there are numerous publications concerning the viscosity of methane at atmospheric pressure, there appears to be little information available relating to the effect of pressure and temperature upon the viscosity. A survey of the literature reveals that the disagreements between published data on the viscosity of methane are common and that most investigations have been conducted over restricted temperature and pressure ranges. Experimental viscosity data for methane are presented for temperatures from 320 to 400 K and pressures from 3000 to 140000 kPa by using falling body viscometer. A summary is given to evaluate the available data for methane, and a comparison is presented for that data common to the experimental range reported in this paper. A new and reliable correlation for methane gas viscosity is presented. Predicted values are given for temperatures up to 400 K and pressures up to 140000 kPa with Average Absolute Percent Relative Error (EABS) of 0.794.