Use of monomer fraction data in the parametrization of association theories

Association theories such as the CPA (cubic-plus-association), NRHB (non-random hydrogen bonding) equations of state and the various variants of SAFT (statistical associating fluid theory) have been extensively applied to phase equilibrium calculations. Such models can also be used for estimating the monomer fraction of hydrogen bonding compounds and their mixtures. Monomer fraction data are obtained from spectroscopic measurements and they are available for a few compounds such as pure water and alcohols as well as for some alcohol–alkane and similar mixtures. These data are useful for an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of association models. The purpose of this work is two-fold: (i) to compare the performance of three models, CPA, NRHB and sPC-SAFT, in predicting the monomer fraction of water, alcohols and mixtures of alcohol-inert compounds and (ii) to investigate whether “improved” model parameters can be obtained if monomer fraction data are included in the parameter estimation together with vapor pressures and liquid densities. The expression “improved” implies parameters which can represent several pure compound properties as well as monomer fraction data for pure compounds and mixtures. The accuracy of experimental monomer fraction data is discussed, as well as the role of monomer fraction data in clarifying which association scheme should be used in these equations of state. The results reveal that the investigated association models (CPA, sPC-SAFT and NRHB) can predict, at least qualitatively correct, monomer fractions of associating compounds and mixtures. Only, small differences are observed between the models. In addition, it has been shown that, using a suitable association scheme, a single set of parameters can describe satisfactorily vapor pressures, liquid densities and monomer fractions of water and alcohols. The 4C scheme is the best choice for water, while for methanol there is small difference between the 2B and 3B association schemes.     

Towards predictive association theories

Association equations of state like SAFT, CPA and NRHB have been previously applied to many complex mixtures. In this work we focus on two of these models, the CPA and the NRHB equations of state and the emphasis is on the analysis of their predictive capabilities for a wide range of applications. We use the term predictive in two situations: (i) with no use of binary interaction parameters, and (ii) multicomponent calculations using binary interaction parameters based solely on binary data. It is shown that the CPA equation of state can satisfactorily predict CO₂-water-glycols-alkanes VLE and water-MEG-aliphatic hydrocarbons LLE using interaction parameters obtained from the binary data alone. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the NRHB equation of state is a versatile tool which can be employed equally well to mixtures with pharmaceuticals and solvents, including mixed solvents, as well as phase equilibria in mixtures containing glycols. The importance of considering the solvation of CO₂-water (in CPA) when the model is applied to multicomponent mixtures as well as of the multiple associations in heavy glycol-water mixtures (in NRHB) is investigated.     

Modeling of phase equilibria with CPA using the homomorph approach

For association models, like CPA and SAFT, a classical approach is often used for estimating pure-compound and mixture parameters. According to this approach, the pure-compound parameters are estimated from vapor pressure and liquid density data. Then, the binary interaction parameters, k_ij, are estimated from binary systems; one binary interaction parameter per system. No additional mixing rules are needed for cross-associating systems, but combining rules are required, e.g. the Elliott rule or the so-called CR-1 rule. There is a very large class of mixtures, e.g. water or glycols with aromatic hydrocarbons, chloroform-acetone, esters-water, CO₂-water, etc., which are classified as “solvating” or “induced associating”. The classical approach cannot be used and the cross-association interactions are difficult to be estimated a priori since usually no appropriate experimental data exist, while the aforementioned combining rules cannot capture the physical meaning of such interactions (as at least one of the compounds is non-self-associating). Consequently, very often one or more of the interaction parameters are optimized to experimental mixture data. For example, in the case of the CPA EoS, two interaction parameters are often used for solvating systems; one for the physical part (k_ij) and one for the association part (β^cross). This limits the predictive capabilities and possibilities of generalization of the model. In this work we present an approach to reduce the number of adjustable parameters in CPA for solvating systems. The so-called homomorph approach will be used, according to which the k_ij parameter can be obtained from a corresponding system (homomorph) which has similar physical interactions as the solvating system studied. This leaves only one adjustable parameter for solvating mixtures, the cross-association volume (β^cross). It is shown that the homomorph approach can be used with success for mixtures of water and glycols with aromatic hydrocarbons as well as for mixtures of acid gases (CO₂, H₂S) with alcohols and water. The homomorph approach is less satisfactory for mixtures with fluorocarbons as well as for aqueous mixtures with ethers and esters. In these cases, CPA can correlate liquid-liquid equilibria for solvating systems using two adjustable parameters. The capabilities and limitations of the homomorph approach are discussed.     

Extension of polar GC-SAFT to systems containing some oxygenated compounds: Application to ethers, aldehydes and ketones

The GC-SAFT equation of state proposed by Tamouza et al. (2004) [51], extended to polar molecular fluids NguyenHuynh et al. (2008) [32], is here applied to model vapor-liquid phase equilibria of various binary mixtures containing at least one oxygenated compound belonging to ethers, ketones or aldehydes chemical families.These systems are modeled using a polar version of the three different versions of SAFT-EOS (original, VR-SAFT and PC-SAFT) in a predictive manner: binary interaction parameters k_ij and l_ij are all set to zero.In the case of alcohol + ether, +ketone, +aldehyde systems, a cross-association interaction between an oxygenated compound (non self-associating compound) and an alcohol is necessary to model/predict accurately the mixture VLE. The corresponding association parameters are assumed to be equal to the self-association parameters of pure 1-alkanols.The above-cited systems have been treated in a comprehensive manner. The general agreement between polar GC-SAFT and experimental data is good (within 4-5% deviation on pressure), similar to the one obtained on previously investigated systems using GC-SAFT.     

Vapor-liquid equilibria for alcohol/hydrocarbon systems using the CPA Equation of state

The recently developed Cubic-Plus-Association Equation of State (CPA EoS) is extended in this study to binary systems containing one associating compound (alcohol) and an inert one (hydrocarbon). CPA combines the Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) equation of state for the physical part with an association term based on perturbation theory. The classical van der Waals one-fluid mixing rules are used for the attractive and co-volume parameters, and b, while the extension of the association term to mixtures is rigorous and does not require any mixing rules. Excellent correlation of Vapor-Liquid Equilibria (VLE) is obtained using a small value for the interaction parameter (k_ij) in the attractive term of the physical part of the equation of state even when it is temperature-independent. CPA yileds much better results than SRK and its performance is similar to that of other association models, like the Anderko EoS, and the more complex SAFT and Simplified SAFT EoS.     

Modeling adsorption in binary associating solvents using the extended MPTA model

Application of the MPTA model has been extended to associative liquid adsorption. The MPTA model describes fluid–fluid interactions using an equation of state (EoS) term, and fluid–solid interactions using a potential equation. In order to extend the application to associative liquid adsorption, an association term has been considered for fluid–fluid interactions. Sixteen binary mixtures containing associating and non-associating components in equilibrium with various adsorbents have been studied; fluid–fluid interactions have been modeled using the Peng–Robinson, Soave–Redlich–Kwong, volume-translated SRK and CPA equations of state, while the effects of fluid–solid interactions have been taken into account using Dubinin–Radushkevich–Astakhov (DRA) and Steele potential functions. The model parameters have been obtained by fitting the model to experimental data on surface excess. For the studied systems, the accuracy of fitted isotherms has been found to be more dependent on the fluid–solid potential equation rather than the applied EoS. Calculations show that the SRK equation is a suitable choice for non-associating systems, while the CPA equation is found to be more appropriate for associating systems, as would be expected. The results also show that the Steele potential function is in better agreement with experimental data than the DRA potential function.     

Analysis and applications of a group contribution sPC-SAFT equation of state

A group contribution (GC) method for estimating pure compound parameters for the molecular-based perturbed-chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) equation of state (EoS) is proposed in a previous work [A. Tihic, G.M. Kontogeorgis, N. von Solms, M.L. Michelsen, L. Constantinou, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 47 (2008) 5092–5101]. In this paper, an investigation of the predictive capability of the GC sPC-SAFT EoS through comparison of the method’s predictions for compounds with high molecular weights and several selected binary mixtures of industrial significance with experimental data such as thiols, sulphides and polynuclear aromatics is presented. Additionally, predictions of activity coefficient at infinite dilution for athermal systems are compared with the results using existing activity coefficient models. The results show that calculated pure compound parameters using the proposed GC method allow satisfactory representation of experimental data of investigated systems with the sPC-SAFT EoS. Moreover, the variety of functional groups in the available GC scheme ensures broad applications of the GC sPC-SAFT EoS.     

Modeling phase equilibria of alkanols with the simplified PC-SAFT equation of state and generalized pure compound parameters

The simplified PC-SAFT equation of state has been applied to liquid–liquid, vapor–liquid and solid–liquid equilibria for mixtures containing 1- or 2-alkanols with alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, CO₂ and water. For the alkanols we use generalized pure compound parameters. This means that two of the physical pure compound parameters, m (segment number) and σ (segment diameter), are obtained from linear extrapolations, since m and mσ³, increase linearly with respect to the molar mass, and moreover, the two association parameters (association energy and association volume) were assumed to be constant for all alkanols. Only the dispersion energy is fitted to experimental data. Thus it is possible to estimate parameters for several 1- and 2-alkanols. The final aim is to develop a group contribution approach for PC-SAFT which is suitable for complex compounds, considering that the motivation of this project is to obtain a thermodynamic model which can be used in the development of sophisticated products such as pharmaceuticals, polymers, detergents or food ingredients. One of the severe limitations in applying SAFT-type equations of state to these compounds is that the procedure for obtaining the pure compound parameters is usually based on fitting to saturated vapor pressure and liquid density data over an extended temperature range. However, such data are rarely available for complex compounds. To verify the new pure compound parameters, comparisons to ordinary optimized alkanol parameters, where all five pure compound parameters were fitted to experimental liquid density and vapor pressure data, were made. The results show that the new generalized alkanol parameters from this work perform at least as well as other alkanol parameter sets.     

Application of the Perturbed-Chain SAFT equation of state to polar systems

The Perturbed-Chain SAFT (PC-SAFT) equation of state is applied to pure polar substances as well as to vapor–liquid and liquid–liquid equilibria of binary mixtures containing polar low-molecular substances and polar co-polymers. For these components, the polar version of the PC-SAFT model requires four pure-component parameters as well as the functional-group dipole moment. For each binary system, only one temperature-independent binary interaction k_ij is needed. Simple mixing and combining rules are adopted for mixtures with more than one polar component without using an additional binary interaction parameter. The ability of the model to accurately describe azeotropic and non-azeotropic vapor–liquid equilibria at low and at high pressures, as well as liquid–liquid equilibria is demonstrated for various systems containing polar components. Solvent systems like acetone–alkane mixtures and co-polymer systems like poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/solvent are discussed. The results for the low-molecular systems also show the predictive capabilities of the extended PC-SAFT model.     

Application of a generalized van der Waals equation of state to several nonpolar mixtures

A generalized van der Waals equation of state, applied recently (Nguyen Van Nhu and Kohler, 1995) to the calculation of excess properties and phase equilibria for the mixture methane + ethane, is now extended to several nonpolar binary mixtures.Improved mixing rules for the van der Waals attractive term and for the correction term are proposed. With these mixing rules, the equation gives good agreement for vapour-liquid and liquid-liquid equilibria over a large temperature range for 29 binary mixtures. The agreement of mixture volumes and cross second virial coefficients is also satisfactory.     

Modeling the phase equilibria of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in mixture with hydrocarbons and water using the PCP-SAFT equation of state

The perturbed-chain polar statistical associating fluid theory (PCP-SAFT) equation of state is applied to correlate phase equilibria for mixtures of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) with alkanes, with aromatics, and with water over wide temperature and pressure ranges. The binary mixtures of H₂S–methane and CO₂–methane are studied in detail including vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid and fluid–solid phase equilibria. Very satisfying results were obtained for the binary mixtures as well as for the ternary mixture of H₂S–CO₂–methane using the (constant) interaction parameters of the binary pairs.     

New mixing rules in simple equations of state for representing vapour-liquid equilibria of strongly non-ideal mixtures

Huron, M.-J. and Vidal, J., 1979. New mixing rules in simple equations of state for representing vapour-liquid equilibria of strongly non-ideal mixtures. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 3: 255-271.Good correlations of vapour-liquid equilibria can be achieved by applying the same two-parameter cubic equation of state to both phases. The results primarily depend on the method used for calculating parameters and, for mixtures, on the mixing rule. True parameters are the covolume b and the energy parameter a/b. For this latter one, deviations from a linear weighting rule are closely connected to the excess free energy at infinite pressure. Thus any mixing rule gives a model for the excess free energy, or any accepted models for this property can be used as mixing rules.From the above, an empirical polynomial mixing rule is used for data smoothing and evaluation, while for practical work a local composition model is used. The mixing rule thus obtained can be reduced to the classical quadratic rule for some easily predicted values of the interaction energies. For highly polar systems, it includes three adjustable parameters. Using literature data, the new mixing rule is applied, in the low and high pressure range, to binary mixtures with one or two polar compounds, giving good data correlation and sometimes avoiding false liquid-liquid immiscibility.     

Modeling phase equilibria for acid gas mixtures using the CPA equation of state. Part II: Binary mixtures with CO2

In Part I of this series of articles, the study of H₂S mixtures has been presented with CPA. In this study the phase behavior of CO₂ containing mixtures is modeled. Binary mixtures with water, alcohols, glycols and hydrocarbons are investigated. Both phase equilibria (vapor-liquid and liquid-liquid) and densities are considered for the mixtures involved. Different approaches for modeling pure CO₂ and mixtures are compared. CO₂ is modeled as non self-associating fluid, or as self-associating component having two, three and four association sites. Moreover, when mixtures of CO₂ with polar compounds (water, alcohols and glycols) are considered, the importance of cross-association is investigated. The cross-association is accounted for either via combining rules or using a cross-solvation energy obtained from experimental spectroscopic or calorimetric data or from ab initio calculations. In both cases two adjustable parameters are used when solvation is explicitly accounted for. The performance of CPA using the various modeling approaches for CO₂ and its interactions is presented and discussed, comparatively to various recent published investigations. It is shown that overall very good correlation is obtained for binary mixtures of CO₂ and water or alcohols when the solvation between CO₂ and the polar compound is explicitly accounted for, whereas the model is less satisfactory when CO₂ is treated as self-associating compound.     

Phase equilibria in systems containing o-cresol,p-cresol,carbon dioxide,and ethanol at 323.15–473.15 K and 10–35 MPa

Phase equilibria in binary and ternary systems containing o-cresol, p-cresol, carbon dioxide, and ethanol have been investigated experimentally at temperatures between 323.15 K and 473.15 K and pressures ranging from 10 MPa to 35 MPa. The experimental results provide a systematic basis of phase equilibrium data, yielding the effect of temperature on the influence of the position of the methyl groups of cresols that are in phase equilibria with carbon dioxide. Based on the different solubilities of the cresol isomers in carbon dioxide, the separation of o-cresol and p-cresol was investigated. The dependence of the separation factor between both cresol isomers on concentration, temperature, and pressure is obtained from experiments in the ternary system, o-cresol+p-cresol+carbon dioxide. The influence of ethanol added to each of the binary systems, cresol isomer+carbon dioxide, in order to enhance the solubility of the cresols in the carbon dioxide-rich phase is also shown. The experimental data have been correlated using seven different equations of state, whereof four explicitly account for intermolecular association: Statistical Association Fluid Theory (SAFT) by Chapman, Gubbins, Huang and Radosz, the SAFT modification by Pfohl and Brunner for near-critical fluids, a modified cubic-plus-association equation of state (CPA EOS) according to the ideas by Tassios et al., and one of the EOS by Anderko. The mixing rule proposed by Mathias, Klotz, and Prausnitz, with two binary interaction parameters per binary system influencing intermolecular attractive forces, is used for all EOS as a basis for an objective comparison of the EOS.     

A semi-empirical equation of state applied to vapor-liquid equilibria calculations

A five-parameter equation of state is proposed to calculate the vapor-liquid equilibria of compounds in binary and multicomponent mixtures. This equation is closely related to a previous equation of state proposed by the author, the main modification being in the entropic term where the parameter m assumes a constant value for all compounds. It is shown that the van der Waals conditions at the critical point and the Morbidelli-Carra' algorithm enable the calculation of three other constants. Rules are given to calculate the remaining constant K which pertains to the enthalpic term. The proposed method only requires knowledge of the critical constants and of the normal boiling temperature as input parameters. A wide application of the new equation to both polar and non-polar binary systems indicates the following: the proposed method is predictive for ideal or nearly ideal mixtures; the correlation of mixtures of hydrocarbons having very different molar volumes can be obtained by optimizing only the binary interaction parameter linked to the enthalpic term; the new equation also correlates well with strongly non-ideal systems which exhibit a miscibility gap; the prediction of multicomponent vapor-liquid equilibria from the binary data alone is also reliable for both polar and non-polar mixtures.     

On the thermodynamics of alcohol solutions. Phase equilibria of binary and ternary mixtures containing any number of alcohols

Nagata, I., 1985. On the thermodynamics of alcohol solutions. Phase equilibria of binary and ternary mixtures containing any number of alcohols. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 19: 153–174.Binary vapor—liquid and liquid—liquid equilibrium data for alcohol solutions includin one or two alcohols are correlated with the UNIQUAC associated solution theory (Nagata and Kawamura). The theory uses pure liquid association constants determined by the method of Brandani and a single value of the enthalpy of the hydrogen bond equal to ?23.2 kJ mol ^?1 for pure alcohols. For alcohol-active nonassociating component mixtures and alcohol—alcohol mixtures the theory involves additional solvation constants. The theory is extended to contain ternary mixtures with any number of alcohols. Ternary predictions of vapor—liquid and liquid—liquid equilibria are performed using only binary parameters. Good agreement is obtained between calculated and experimental results for many representative mixtures.     

Equation of state for square-well chain molecules with variable range II. Extension to mixtures

An equation of state (EOS) developed in our previous work for square-well chain molecules with variable range is further extended to the mixtures of non-associating fluids. The volumetric properties of binary mixtures for small molecules as well as polymer blends can well be predicted without using adjustable parameter. With one temperature-independent binary interaction parameter, satisfactory correlations for experimental vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE) data of binary normal fluid mixtures at low and elevated pressures are obtained. In addition, VLE of n-alkane mixtures and nitrogen + n-alkane mixtures at high pressures are well predicted using this EOS. The phase behavior calculations on polymer mixture solutions are also investigated using one-fluid mixing rule. The equilibrium pressure and solubility of gas in polymer are evaluated with a single adjustable parameter and good results are obtained. The calculated results for gas + polymer systems are compared with those from other equations of state.     

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.