Phase equilibrium measurements for semi-clathrate hydrates of the (CO2 + N2 + tetra-n-butylammonium bromide) aqueous solution system

The application of semi-clathrate hydrate formation technology for gas separation purposes has gained much attention in recent years. Consequently, there is a demand for experimental data for relevant semi-clathrate hydrate phase equilibria. In this work, semi-clathrate hydrate dissociation conditions for the system comprising mixtures of {CO₂ (0.151/0.399 mole fraction) + N₂ (0.849/0.601 mole fraction) + 0.05, 0.15, and 0.30 mass fraction tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB)} aqueous solutions have been measured and are reported. An experimental apparatus which was designed and built in-house was used for the measurements using the isochoric pressure-search method. The range of conditions for the measurements was from 277.1 K to 293.2 K for temperature and pressures up to 16.21 MPa. The phase equilibrium data measured demonstrate the high hydrate promotion effects of TBAB aqueous solutions.     

Experimental measurement and thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria of semi-clathrate hydrates of (CO2 + tetra-n-butyl-ammonium bromide) aqueous solution

Comprehensive studies on semi-clathrate hydrates phase equilibria are still required to better understand characteristics of this type of clathrates. In this communication, new experimental data on the dissociation conditions of semi-clathrate hydrates of {carbon dioxide + tetra-n-butyl-ammonium bromide (TBAB)} aqueous solution are first reported in a wide range of TBAB concentrations and at different pressures and temperatures. A thermodynamic model is then proposed to predict the dissociation conditions of the semi-clathrate hydrates for the latter system. The (hydrate + TBAB) aqueous solution (H + L_w) phase equilibrium prediction is considered based on Gibbs free energy minimization approach. A modified van der Waals–Platteeuw solid solution theory developed based on the (H + L_w) equilibrium information is employed to predict the dissociation conditions of semi-clathrate hydrates of carbon dioxide + TBAB. The properties of the aqueous solution are estimated using the AMSA-NRTL electrolyte model (considering the association and hydration of ions). The Peng–Robinson equation of state is used for estimating the gas/vapour phase properties. Results show that the proposed model satisfactorily predicts the experimental values with an average absolute relative deviation of approximately 13%.     

Phase equilibrium measurements for clathrate hydrates of flue gas (CO2 + N2 + O2) in the presence of tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide or tri-n-butylphosphine oxide

This paper reports the measured hydrate phase equilibria of simulated flue gas (12.6 vol% CO₂, 80.5 vol% N₂, 6.9 vol% O₂) in the presence of tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) or tri-n-butylphosphine oxide (TBPO), at (0, 5 and 26) wt%, respectively. The measurements of the phase boundary between (hydrate + liquid + vapor) (H + L + V) phases and (liquid + vapor) (L + V) phases were performed within the temperature range (275.97 to 293.99) K and pressure range (1.56 to 18.78) MPa with using the isochoric step-heating pressure search method. It was found that addition of TBAB or TBPO allowed the incipient equilibrium hydrate formation conditions for the flue gas to become milder. Compared to TBAB, TBPO was largely more effective in reducing the phase equilibrium pressure.     

Dissociation behaviour of (tetra-n-butylammonium bromide + tetra-n-butylammonium chloride) mixed semiclathrate hydrate systems

The thermal properties of {tetra-n-butylammonium bromide + tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAB + TBAC)} mixed semiclathrate hydrates prepared from aqueous solutions were investigated by dissociation temperature measurements and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The maximum dissociation temperature of the mixed hydrate crystals at 0.1 MPa is 288.5 K for x_TBAB = 0.2 {mole fraction of TBAB to (TBAB + TBAC)}, which is higher than that of the pure hydrates {T = (285.5 and 288.2) K for TBAB and TBAC hydrates, respectively}. In addition, the dissociation enthalpies of the mixed hydrates are higher than those of the pure hydrates {(5.55 ± 0.06) kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹ H₂O for pure TBAB hydrate and (5.30 ± 0.05) kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹ H₂O for pure TBAC hydrate}, with a maximum of (5.95 ± 0.12) kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹ H₂O recorded at approximately x_TBAB = 0.4. It was therefore suggested that the crystal distortion in (TBAB + TBAC) mixed hydrates, caused by replacing water molecules by both bromide and chloride anions, was smaller than that observed for each pure hydrate. Consequently, the hydration numbers in the mixed hydrates were hypothesized to be slightly higher than those of the pure hydrates.     

Isopiestic studies on the saturated systems {H2O + BaCl2(sat) + NaCl + NH4Cl} and {H2O + BaCl2(sat) + mannitol(sat) + NaCl + NH4Cl} at the temperature 298.15 K: Comparison with the ideal-like solution model

Isopiestic measurements have been carried out at the temperature 298.15 K for two saturated aqueous solutions: {H₂O + BaCl₂(sat) + NaCl + NH₄Cl} saturated with barium chloride and {H₂O + BaCl₂(sat) + mannitol(sat) + NaCl + NH₄Cl} saturated with barium chloride and mannitol. Taking sodium chloride (aq) as reference solutions, osmotic coefficients of the aqueous solutions were determined. The experimental results are well represented by the ideal-like solution model.     

Excess Gibbs energies and excess molar volumes for binary mixtures: (2-pyrrolidone + water), (2-pyrrolidone + methanol), and (2-pyrrolidone + ethanol) at the temperature 313.15 K

Total vapour pressures and excess molar volumes, measured at the temperature 313.15 K, are reported for three binary mixtures (2-pyrrolidone + water), (2-pyrrolidone + methanol) and (2-pyrrolidone + ethanol). The results are compared with previously obtained data for binary mixtures (amide + A), where amide=N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide and N-methylacetamide, and A= water, methanol, and ethanol.     

Hydrate phase equilibrium and structure for (methane + ethane + tetrahydrofuran + water) system

The separation of methane and ethane through forming hydrate is a possible choice in natural gas, oil processing, or ethylene producing. The hydrate formation conditions of five groups of (methane + ethane) binary gas mixtures in the presence of 0.06 mole fraction tetrahydrofuran (THF) in water were obtained at temperatures ranging from (277.7 to 288.2) K. In most cases, the presence of THF in water can lower the hydrate formation pressure of (methane + ethane) remarkably. However, when the composition of ethane is as high as 0.832, it is more difficult to form hydrate than without THF system. Phase equilibrium model for hydrates containing THF was developed based on a two-step hydrate formation mechanism. The structure of hydrates formed from (methane + ethane + THF + water) system was also determined by Raman spectroscopy. When THF concentration in initial aqueous solution was only 0.06 mole fraction, the coexistence of structure I hydrate dominated by ethane and structure II hydrate dominated by THF in the hydrate sample was clearly demonstrated by Raman spectroscopic data. On the contrary, only structure II hydrate existed in the hydrate sample formed from (methane + ethane + THF + water) system when THF concentration in initial aqueous solution was increased to 0.10 mole fraction. It indicated that higher THF concentration inhibited the formation of structure I hydrate dominated by ethane and therefore lowered the trapping of ethane in hydrate. It implies a very promising method to increase the separation efficiency of methane and ethane.     

(Liquid + solid) metastable equilibria in quinary system Li2CO3 + Na2CO3 + K2CO3 + Li2B4O7 + Na2B4O7 + K2B4O7 + H2O at T=288 K for Zhabuye salt lake

An experimental study on metastable equilibria at T=288 K in the quinary system Li₂CO₃ + Na₂CO₃ + K₂CO₃ + Li₂B₄O₇ + Na₂B₄O₇ + K₂B₄O₇ + H₂O was done by isothermal evaporation method. Metastable equilibrium solubilities and densities of the solution were determined experimentally. According to the experimental data, the metastable equilibrium phase diagram under the condition saturated with Li₂CO₃ was plotted, in which there are four invariant points; nine univariant curves; six fields of crystallization: K₂CO₃ · 3/2H₂O, K₂B₄O₇ · 5H₂O, Li₂B₂O₄ · 16H₂O, Na₂B₂O₄ · 8H₂O, Na₂CO₃ · 10H₂O, NaKCO₃ · 6H₂O. Some differences were found between the stable phase diagram at T=298 K and the metastable one at T=288 K.     

Excess volumes of mixing in (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water) and (N,N-dimethylacetamide + ethanol + water) at the temperature 313.15 K

Precise excess volumes of mixing measurements at T = 313.15 K are reported over the whole composition range for binary mixtures: (N,N-dimethylacetamide + water), (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol), (N,N-dimethylacetamide + ethanol) and for the ternary mixtures (N,N-dimethylacetamide + methanol + water) and (N,N-dimethylacetamide + ethanol + water). For all the systems, large negative deviations from ideality are observed. The binary results have been fitted using the Redlich–Kister type polynomial. The possibility of predicting the ternary results from the binary ones was examined.     

Volumetric study of (2-methoxyethanol + tetrahydrofuran + cyclohexane) at T=298.15 K

The excess molar volumes V_m^E at T=298.15 have been determined in the whole composition domain for (2-methoxyethanol + tetrahydrofuran + cyclohexane) and for the parent binary mixtures. Data on V_m^E are also reported for (2-ethoxyethanol + cyclohexane). All binaries showed positive V_m^E values, small for (methoxyethanol + tetrahydrofuran) and large for the other ones. The ternary V_m^E surface is always positive and exhibits a smooth trend with a maximum corresponding to the binary (2-methoxyethanol + cyclohexane). The capabilities of various models of either predicting or reproducing the ternary data have been compared. The behaviour of V_m^E and of the excess apparent molar volume of the components is discussed in both binary and ternary mixtures. The results suggest that hydrogen bonding decreases with alcohol dilution and increases with the tetrahydrofuran content in the ternary solutions.     

High-pressure (vapour + liquid) equilibria for ternary systems composed by {(E)-2-hexenal or hexanal + carbon dioxide + water}: Partition coefficient measurement

A new apparatus based on a static–analytic method assembled in this work was utilised to perform high-pressure (vapour + liquid) equilibria measurements of aqueous ternary systems. This work includes values of isothermal partition coefficients between CO₂ and water of two apple aroma constituents, (E)-2-hexenal and hexanal. Additionally, this work reports new experimental (vapour + liquid) equilibria measurements for the ternary systems (CO₂ + (E)-2-hexenal + water) and (CO₂ + hexanal + water), at fixed liquid phase composition (600 mg · kg⁻¹), at temperatures of (313, 323 and 333) K and at pressures from (8 to 19) MPa. Vapour liquid interphase was checked and monitored visually for all the systems studied in this work. No liquid immiscibility was observed at the composition, temperatures and pressures studied. In order to suggest reasonable operation conditions for fractionation of aromas with dense carbon dioxide, partition coefficients of the aroma compounds between CO₂ and water along with their separation factors from water were calculated. Partition coefficients of (E)-2-hexenal between CO₂ and water were in the range of (6 to 91) and where found to be near six times higher than those of hexanal (9 to 17). Very high separation factors from water were observed (∼10⁴) especially for (E)-2-hexenal. The highest separation factor, for both compounds, was found at a temperature of 313 K and pressures from (12 to 14) MPa.     

Thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the (NaCl + KCl + MgCl2 + CaCl2 + MnCl2 + FeCl2 + CoCl2 + NiCl2) system

A complete critical evaluation of all available phase diagram and thermodynamic data has been performed for all condensed phases of the (NaCl + KCl + MgCl₂ + CaCl₂ + MnCl₂ + FeCl₂ + CoCl₂ + NiCl₂) system, and optimized model parameters have been found. The (MgCl₂ + CaCl₂ + MnCl₂ + FeCl₂ + CoCl₂ + NiCl₂) subsystem has been critically evaluated in a previous article. The model parameters obtained for the binary subsystems can be used to predict thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria for the multicomponent system. The Modified Quasichemical Model was used for the molten salt phase, and the (MgCl₂ + MnCl₂ + FeCl₂ + CoCl₂ + NiCl₂) solid solution was modeled using a cationic substitutional model with an ideal entropy and an excess Gibbs free energy expressed as a polynomial in the component mole fractions. Finally, the (Na,K)(Mg,Ca,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni)Cl₃ and the (Na,K)₂(Mg,Mn,Fe,Co,Ni)Cl₄ solid solutions were modeled using the Compound Energy Formalism.     

Measurement of activity coefficients of amino acids in aqueous electrolyte solutions: experimental data for the systems (H2O + NaBr + glycine) and (H2O + NaBr + l-valine) at T=298.15 K

Electrochemical cells with two ion-selective electrodes, a cation ion-selective electrode against an anion ion-selective electrode, were used to measure the activity coefficient of amino acids in aqueous electrolyte solutions. Activity coefficient data were measured for (H₂O + NaBr + glycine) and (H₂O + NaBr + l-valine) at T=298.15 K. The maximum concentrations of sodium bromide, glycine, and l-valine were (1.0, 2.4, and 0.4) mol · kg⁻¹, respectively. The results show that the presence of an electrolyte and the nature of both the cation and the anion of the electrolyte have significant effects on the activity coefficients of amino acid in aqueous electrolyte solutions.     

Experimental study of high pressure phase equilibrium of (CO2 + NO2/N2O4) mixtures

Experimental bubble pressure, as well as liquid density of (CO₂ + NO₂/N₂O₄) mixtures are reported at temperatures ranging from (298 to 328.45) K. Experiments were carried out using a SITEC high-pressure variable volume cell. Transition pressures were obtained by the synthetic method and liquid density was deduced from measurement of the cell volume. Correlation of experimental results was carried out without considering chemical equilibrium of NO₂/N₂O₄ system. (Liquid + vapour) equilibrium was found to be accurately modelled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state with classical quadratic mixing rules and with a binary interaction coefficient k_ij equal to zero. Nevertheless, modelling of liquid density values was unsatisfactory with this approach.     

Phase equilibria for H2 + CO2 + H2O system containing gas hydrates

Isothermal phase equilibrium (pressure–composition in the gas phase) for the ternary system of H₂ + CO₂ + H₂O has been investigated in the presence of gas hydrate phase. Three-phase equilibrium pressure increases with the H₂ composition of gas phase. The Raman spectra suggest that H₂ is not enclathrated in the hydrate-cages and behaves only like the diluent gas toward the formation of CO₂ hydrate. This fact is also supported by the thermodynamic analysis using Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation of state.     

The precise measurement of the (vapour + liquid) equilibrium properties for (CO2 + isobutane) binary mixtures

Recently, it has been suggested that natural working fluids, such as CO₂, hydrocarbons, and their mixtures, could provide a long-term alternative to fluorocarbon refrigerants. (Vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) data for these fluids are essential for the development of equations of state, and for industrial process such as separation and refinement. However, there are large inconsistencies among the available literature data for (CO₂ + isobutane) binary mixtures, and therefore provision of reliable and new measurements with expanded uncertainties is required. In this study, we determined precise VLE data using a new re-circulating type apparatus, which was mainly designed by Akico Co., Japan. An equilibrium cell with an inner volume of about 380 cm³ and two optical windows was used to observe the phase behaviour. The cell had re-circulating loops and expansion loops that were immersed in a thermostatted liquid bath and air bath, respectively. After establishment of a steady state in these loops, the compositions of the samples were measured by a gas chromatograph (GL Science, GC-3200). The VLE data were measured for CO₂/propane and CO₂/isobutane binary mixtures within the temperature range from 300 K to 330 K and at pressures up to 7 MPa. These data were compared with the available literature data and with values predicted by thermodynamic property models.     

Equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures at temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K

The equilibrium solubility of sodium 2-naphthalenesulfonate in binary (sodium chloride + water), (sodium sulfate + water), and (ethanol + water) solvent mixtures was measured at elevated temperatures from (278.15 to 323.15) K using a steady-state method. With increasing temperatures, the solubility increases in aqueous solvent mixtures. The results of these results were regressed by a modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution entropy and enthalpy determined using the method of the least-squares and the change of Gibbs free energy calculated with the values of Δ_diffS^o and Δ_diffH^o at T = 278.15 K.     

Thermodynamic properties of (NaCl + KCl + LiCl + H2O) at T = 298.15 K: Water activities,osmotic and activity coefficients

The water activities of aqueous electrolyte mixture (NaCl + KCl + LiCl + H₂O) were experimentally determined at T = 298.15 K by the hygrometric method at total ionic-strength from 0.4 mol · kg⁻¹ to 6 mol · kg⁻¹ for different ionic-strength fractions y of NaCl with y = 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3. The data allow the deduction of new osmotic coefficients. The results obtained were correlated by Pitzer’s model and Dinane’s mixing rules ECA I and ECA II for calculations of the water activity in mixed aqueous electrolytes. A new Dinane–Pitzer model is proposed for the calculation of osmotic coefficients in quaternary aqueous mixtures using the newly ternary and quaternary ionic mixing parameters of this studied system. The solute activity coefficients of component in the mixture are also determined for different ionic-strength fractions y of NaCl.     

Thermodynamic study of the mixed system (CsCl + CaCl2 + H2O) by EMF Measurements at T = 298.15 K

This work reports the results of a thermodynamic investigation of the ternary mixed-electrolyte system (CsCl + CaCl₂ + H₂O). The activity coefficients of this mixed aqueous electrolyte system have been studied with the electromotive force measurement (EMF) of the cell: Cs ion-selective electrode (ISE)|CsCl(m_A), CaCl₂(m_B), H₂O|Ag/AgCl at T = 298.15 K and over total ionic strengths from (0.01 to 1.50) mol · kg^?1 for different ionic strength fractions y_B of CaCl₂ with y_B = (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8). The cesium ion-selective electrode (Cs-ISE) and the Ag/AgCl electrode used in this work were made in our laboratory and had a good Nernst response. The experimental results obey the Harned rule, and the Pitzer model can be used to describe this ternary system satisfactorily. The osmotic coefficients, excess Gibbs free energies and activities of water of the mixtures were also calculated.     

Thermodynamic evaluation and optimization of the (NaCl + Na2SO4 + Na2CO3 + KCl + K2SO4 + K2CO3) system

A complete, critical evaluation of all phase diagrams and thermodynamic data was performed for all condensed phases of the (NaCl + Na₂SO₄ + Na₂CO₃ + KCl + K₂SO₄ + K₂CO₃) system, and optimized parameters for the thermodynamic solution models were obtained. The Modified Quasichemical Model in the Quadruplet Approximation was used for modelling the liquid phase. The model evaluates first- and second-nearest-neighbour short-range order, where the cations (Na⁺ and K⁺) were assumed to mix on a cationic sublattice, while anions $({\text{CO}}_3^{2-}\text{,}{\text{SO}}_4^{2-}\text{,}\text{and}{\text{Cl}}^{-})$ were assumed to mix on an anionic sublattice. The thermodynamic properties of the solid solutions of (Na,K)₂(SO₄,CO₃) were modelled using the Compound Energy Formalism, and (Na,K)Cl was modelled using a substitutional model in previous studies. Phase transitions in the common-cation ternary systems (NaCl + Na₂SO₄ + Na₂CO₃) and (KCl + K₂SO₄ + K₂CO₃) were studied experimentally using d.s.c./t.g.a. The experimental results were used as input for evaluating the phase equilibrium in the common-cation ternary systems. The models can be used to predict the thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria in multicomponent heterogeneous systems. The experimental data from the literature are reproduced within experimental error limits.