Selective production of propylene from methanol over high-silica mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites treated with NaOH and NaOH/tetrapropylammonium hydroxide

The influence of alkaline treatments with NaOH and NaOH/TPAOH mixtures on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of high-silica ZSM-5 zeolites (Si/Al = 175) during the methanol-to-propylene (MTP) reaction have been investigated. It was found that alkaline treatment in an NaOH/TPAOH solution with TPAOH/(NaOH + TPAOH) = 0.4 ensures the formation of narrow and uniform intracrystalline mesoporosity without severely damaging the crystal structure and the intrinsic acidity of the zeolite, leading to the best catalytic performance, including the highest propylene selectivity (47.2) and P/E ratio (4.97) as well as the longest catalyst lifetime (80 h).     

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium data for the {1,1-difluoroethane (R152a) + 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (R245fa)} system at temperatures from (323.150 to 353.150) K

In this paper, (vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) for the {1,1-difluoroethane (R152a) + 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (R245fa)} system was determined by a static-analytical method at T = (323.150 to 353.150) K. Values of the VLE were correlated by the Peng–Robison equation of state (PR EoS) using two different models, the van der Waals (vdWs) mixing rule and the Huron–Vidal (HV) mixing rule involving the non-random two-liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model. The correlated results show good agreement with the experimental values. For the two models, the maximum average absolute deviations of the vapour phase mole fraction are 0.0034 and 0.0035, respectively.     

Phase behaviour of binary and ternary mixtures for the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) [P(MMA-co-HFBMA)] in supercritical fluorine solvents

In this study, the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate) [P(MMA-co-HFBMA)] as a fluoric copolymer was prepared using dispersion polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide. The characterization for the prepared P(MMA-co-HFBMA) was investigated with varied ratios of MMA vs HFBMA (30:1, 25:1, 22:1 and 20:1), 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) amounts (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0) wt% and the weight average molar mass (M_w).Experimental cloud-point data at temperatures to 454 K and pressures up to 184 MPa are reported for binary and ternary mixtures of P(MMA-co-HFBMA) in supercritical CH₂F₂, CHF₃ and CHClF₂. Experiments are performed in order to determine phase behaviour of binary system for the P(MMA-co-HFBMA) (mole ratio: 25:1, AIBN: (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0) wt%) + supercritical solvents (CH₂F₂, CHF₃ and CHClF₂) mixtures at temperature range from (333 to 454) K and pressure up to 184 MPa. It appears that the {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CH₂F₂} mixtures show the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) type behaviour with negative slope, while the {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CHF₃} and {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CHClF₂} mixtures show lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type curve with positive slope. Cloud-point curves for the P(MMA-co-HFBMA) [mole ratio: 30:1 (M_w = 186,000 g · mol⁻¹), 25:1 (M_w = 176,000 g · mol⁻¹), 22:1 (M_w = 158,000 g · mol⁻¹) and 20:1 (M_w = 126,000 g · mol⁻¹); AIBN: 1.0 wt%) + supercritical (CH₂F₂, CHF₃ and CHClF₂) mixtures show a negative slope for the {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CH₂F₂}, and a positive slope for the {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CHF₃} and {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) + CHClF₂} mixtures at temperatures to 454 K and pressure up to 184 MPa. Also, the impact of MMA on phase behaviour for the {P(MMA-co-HFBMA) (mole ratio: 25:1; AIBN: (1.0 and 2.0) wt%) + CH₂F₂} mixtures are measured in changes of the (pressure + temperature) slope from UCST behaviour to LCST behaviour, and with MMA co-solvent concentrations of (0.0 to 40.1) wt%.     

(Solid + liquid) phase equilibria and heat capacity of (diphenyl ether + biphenyl) mixtures used as thermal energy storage materials

The (solid + liquid) phase equilibrium for eight {x diphenyl ether + (1 − x) biphenyl} binary mixtures, including the eutectic mixture were studied by using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. A good agreement was found between previous literature and experimental values here presented for the melting point and enthalpy of fusion of pure compounds. The well-known equations for Wilson and the non-random two-liquid (NRTL) were used to correlate experimental solid liquid phase equilibrium data. Moreover, the predictive mixture model UNIFAC has been employed to describe the phase diagram. With the aim to check this equipment to measure heat capacities in the quasi-isothermal Temperature-Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry method (TMDSC), four fluids of well-known heat capacity such as toluene, n-decane, cyclohexane and water were also studied in the liquid phase at temperatures ranging from (273.15 to 373.15) K. A good agreement with literature values was found for those fluids of pure diphenyl ether and biphenyl. Additionally, the specific isobaric heat capacities of diphenyl ether and biphenyl binary mixtures in the liquid phase up to T = 373.15 K were measured.     

Volumetric behaviour of the (2,2,4-trimethylpentane + methylbenzene + butan-1-ol) ternary system and its binary sub-systems within the temperature range (298.15–328.15) K

Densities and speeds of sound of the (2,2,4-trimethylpentane + methylbenzene + butan-1-ol) ternary system as well as all its binary sub-systems were measured at four temperatures, namely 298.15 K, 308.15 K, 318.15 K, and 328.15 K at atmospheric pressure by a vibrating-tube densimeter DSA 5000. The binary (isooctane + toluene) system was studied previously. Excess quantities (molar volume, adiabatic compressibility, and isobaric thermal expansivity) of the mixtures studied were calculated from the experimental densities and speed of sounds. The excess molar volume data were correlated using the Redlich–Kister equation. Both the positive and S-shaped excess molar volume curves were found for the systems studied. The excess molar volumes versus concentration of binary systems differed in the shape and temperature dependence. The experimental binary data were compared with literature data. The experimental excess molar volumes were analyzed by means of the Extended Real Associated Solution (ERAS) model. The experimental data and the ERAS model can help to estimate real behaviour of the systems studied.     

Vapour liquid equilibria of monocaprylin plus palmitic acid or methyl stearate at P = (1.20 and 2.50) kPa by using DSC technique

The Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique is used for measuring isobaric (vapour + liquid) equilibria for two binary mixtures: {monocaprylin + palmitic acid (system 1) or methyl stearate (system 2)} at two different pressures P = (1.20 and 2.50) kPa. The obtained PTx data are correlated by Wilson, NRTL and UNIQUAC models. The original UNIFAC group contribution method is also considered and new binary interaction parameters for the main groups CH₂, CCOO, OH and COOH are regressed, to account for the non-idealities found in these lipid systems. Established thermodynamic consistency tests are applied and attest the quality of the measured data. In terms of relevance of the selected components, system 1 can be found in the purification and deodorization steps during the production of edible oils, while, system 2 can be found in the purification steps of biodiesel. It should be noted that no such data could be found in the open literature, not only for the specific components selected but also for the combination of the classes of components considered; that is, acylglycerol plus fatty acid or fatty ester.     

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibria in the binary and ternary systems composed of 2-propanol, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane,and 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone

(Vapour + liquid) equilibrium data in the three binary (2-propanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane), (2-propanol + 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone), (2,2,4-trimethylpentane + 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone) systems, and in the ternary (2-propanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane + 2,4-dimethyl-3-pentanone) system are reported. The data were measured isothermally at (330.00 and 340.00) K covering the pressure range (8 to 70) kPa. The binary (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data were correlated using the Wilson and NRTL equations by means of a robust algorithm for processing all isotherms together; resulting parameters were then used for calculation of phase behaviour in the ternary system and for subsequent comparison with experimental data. Azeotropic behaviour of the (2-propanol + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane) system was evaluated together with all available published data.     

The potential of head-space gas chromatography for VLE measurements

Head-space gas chromatography (HS-GC) is thought to allow the performance of (vapour + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) measurements in a fast and automated way. However, two decades after the first applications of HS-GC for this purpose, the potential of this technique is not fully developed yet. Measurements of isothermal VLE and activity coefficients of mixtures can be obtained in a high throughput scenario. However, several considerations have to be taken into account before starting the analysis, such as the equilibration time or the minimum sample volume and the GC response factors. These aspects can strongly influence on the validity of the results and should therefore be determined for each mixture.In this paper, four azeotropic mixtures of interest in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, i.e., (ethylacetate + water), which forms a heterogeneous azeotrope, (ethylacetate + isooctane), (acetonitrile + toluene) and the ternary mixture (acetonitrile + toluene + tetrahydrofuran), are considered to show the potential of HS-GC for VLE measurements. The thermodynamic analysis of VLE data leads to activity coefficients for the mixtures at (35, 50, and 70) °C. In addition, the experimental data are compared with thermodynamic models and data from the literature, when available.     

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.     

Volumetric and compressibility behaviour of poly(propylene glycol) – Amino acid aqueous solutions at different temperatures

Precise density and sound velocity measurements have been carried out for aqueous solutions of PPG725 in the absence and presence of (0.2 and 0.5) mol · kg⁻¹ amino acids: alanine, glycine, serine and proline, and also for aqueous solutions of these amino acids in the absence and presence of 0.01 w/w PPG725 at T = (288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15 and 308.15) K. From the experimental density and sound velocity values, the apparent molar volume and isentropic compressibility have been obtained and extrapolated to infinite dilution. The infinite dilution apparent molar properties for transfer of PPG from water to aqueous amino acids solutions and also those for transfer of amino acids from water to aqueous PPG solutions have been studied. Temperature dependency of the infinite dilution apparent molar volume was utilised to determine structure-breaker or structure-maker effects of the solutes. Hydration numbers of the amino acids in the investigated aqueous solutions have been evaluated from the volumetric and compressibility properties. All results are discussed based on the salting-out aptitude of the amino acids (hydrophilic + hydrophobic) interactions and (hydrophobic + hydrophobic) interactions occurred between PPG and the investigated amino acids.     

Quantitative NMR spectroscopy of binary liquid mixtures (aldehyde + alcohol). Part III: (1-decanal or 3-phenylpropanal or 2-chlorobenzaldehyde) + (methanol or ethanol or 1-propanol)

The thermodynamic properties of binary liquid mixtures of (aldehyde + alcohol) are strongly influenced by chemical reactions in particular around and below ambient temperature. In two previous publications the chemical reaction equilibrium was investigated by ¹³C – Fourier transform NMR-spectroscopy at temperatures between 255 K and 295 K for a series of aldehydes (acetaldehyde, 1-propanal, 1-butanal, 1-heptanal) with three alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol). Here these investigations are extended to three more aldehydes (1-decanal, 3-phenylpropanal and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde, respectively). The results for the binary systems with decanal or 3-phenylpropanal as the aldehyde in the binary mixture (aldehyde + alcohol) confirm the expectations from the first parts of this series, i.e., that the majority of the constituents of the mixture is present as hemiacetal and the first two poly(oxymethylene) – hemiacetals. The numerical results for the chemical reaction equilibrium constants from the previous investigations can be used to predict quantitatively the speciation in binary systems of ((either 1-decanal or 3-phenylpropanal) + (either methanol or ethanol or 1-propanol)). However the experimental results with 2-chlorobenzaldehyde reveal a different behaviour. In all investigated systems (2-chlorobenzaldehyde + alcohol) the most important reaction product was the corresponding acetal whereas the amounts of hemiacetal were very small. While the amounts of hemiacteal could still be quantified, it was not possible to quantify the amount of any poly(oxymethylene) – hemiacetal.     

Phase equilibrium data and thermodynamic modeling of the system (CO2 + biodiesel + methanol) at high pressures

The main objective of this work was to investigate the high pressure phase behavior of the binary systems {CO₂(1) + methanol(2)} and {CO₂(1) + soybean methyl esters (biodiesel)(2)} and the ternary system {CO₂(1) + biodiesel(2) + methanol(3)} were determined. Biodiesel was produced from soybean oil, purified, characterized and used in this work. The static synthetic method, using a variable-volume view cell, was employed to obtain the experimental data in the temperature range of (303.15 to 343.15) K and pressures up to 21 MPa. The mole fractions of carbon dioxide were varied according to the systems as follows: (0.2383 to 0.8666) for the binary system {CO₂(1) + methanol(2)}; (0.4201 to 0.9931) for the binary system {CO₂(1) + biodiesel(2)}; (0.4864 to 0.9767) for the ternary system {CO₂(1) + biodiesel(2) + methanol(3)} with a biodiesel to methanol molar ratio of (1:3); and (0.3732 to 0.9630) for the system {CO₂ + biodiesel + methanol} with a biodiesel to methanol molar ratio of (8:1). For these systems, (vapor + liquid), (liquid + liquid), (vapor + liquid + liquid) transitions were observed. The phase equilibrium data obtained for the systems were modeled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state with the classical van der Waals (PR-vdW2) and Wong-Sandler (PR–WS) mixing rules. Both thermodynamic models were able to satisfactorily correlate the phase behavior of the systems investigated and the PR–WS presented the best performance.     

Measurement and prediction of (solid + liquid) equilibria of gun powder’s and propellant’s stabilizers mixtures

A differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.) was used to determine binary (solid + liquid) phase equilibria (SLE) for four binary mixtures, viz. (n-nitrosodiphenylamine + diphenylamine), (2-nitrodiphenylamine + ethyl centralite), (2,4-dinitro-N-ethylaniline + methyl centralite), and (2,4-diphenylamine + 4,4′-dinitroethylcentralite). These compounds are used as stabilizers in gun powders and propellants. Results obtained with this technique are compared with those correlated by NRTL and ideal models. It was found out that all the systems are simple eutectic systems and deviations between experimental and predicted SLE results were observed.     

Amperometric determination of NADH at a Nile blue/ordered mesoporous carbon composite electrode

A novel amperometric NADH sensor was presented based on a Nile blue A (NB)/ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) composite (NB/OMC) electrode. Cyclic voltammetric tests revealed the NB/OMC displayed a new well defined redox couple in the potential range of ?250 to 50 mV in pH 6.85 phosphate buffer. Interestingly, we found that only the new redox couple exhibited significant catalytic activity towards the oxidation of NADH. Under a lower operation potential of ?0.1 V, NADH could be linearly detected up to 350 μM with an extremely lower detection limit of 1.2 μM (S/N = 3).     

Thermodynamics of biofuels: Excess enthalpies for binary mixtures involving ethyl 1,1-dimethylethyl ether and hydrocarbons at different temperatures using a new flow calorimeter

Excess molar enthalpies for the binary systems: (ethyl 1,1-dimethylethyl ether + heptane); (ethyl 1,1-dimethylethyl ether + cyclohexane); (ethyl 1,1-dimethylethyl ether + toluene); (cyclohexane + toluene), and (toluene + heptane) have been measured at T = (298.15 and 313.15) K using a new isothermal flow calorimeter developed in the laboratory. The technique was previously checked by measuring test systems. The experimental results have been correlated with the Redlich–Kister polynomial equation. The mixing effects observed and the influence of the temperature are discussed.     

Phase equilibria properties of binary and ternary systems containing di-isopropyl ether + isobutanol + benzene at 313.15 K

Isothermal vapour–liquid equilibrium data have been measured for the ternary system (di-isopropyl ether + isobutanol + benzene) and two of the binary systems involved (di-isopropyl ether + isobutanol) and (isobutanol + benzene) at 313.15 K. A static technique consisting of an isothermal total pressure cell was used for the measurements. Data reduction by Barker's method provides correlations for G^E using the Margules equation for the binary systems and the Wohl expansion for the ternary system. Wilson, NRTL and UNIQUAC models have been applied successfully to both the binary and the ternary systems.     

Vapour pressure osmometry determination of water activity of binary and ternary aqueous (polymer + polymer) solutions

Precise water activity measurements at T = 308.15 K were carried out on several binary (water + polymer) and ternary {water + polymer (1) + polymer (2)} systems using the vapour pressure osmometry (VPO) technique. Polymers were polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400), polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000), polypropylene glycol 400 (PPG400), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and dextran (DEX). The water activity results obtained were used to calculate the vapour pressure of solutions as a function of concentration and the segment-based local composition models, NRTL and Wilson, were used to correlate the experimental water activity values. It was found that, for the polymer concentration range studied here, the values of the water activity obtained for the binary (water + polymer) solutions decrease in the order DEX > PVP > PEG6000 > PPG400 > PEG400. Furthermore, water activities of solutions of each polymer in the aqueous solutions of (5, 10, 15 and 20)% (w/w) other polymers investigated were also measured at T = 308.15 K. The ability of polymer (1) in decreasing the water activity of binary {water + polymer (2)} solutions was discussed on the basis of the (polymer + water) and {polymer (1) + polymer (2)} interactions.     

Phase equilibrium measurements and thermodynamic modeling of methane alcohol systems at ambient temperature

The (vapor + liquid) equilibrium data for binary systems of (methane + methanol), (methane + ethanol), and (methane + 1-propanol) at ambient temperature over a wide range of pressures, (1 to 8) MPa, were measured using a designed pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) apparatus. The phase composition and saturated density of liquid phase were measured for each pressure. The density of pure methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol was also measured at ambient temperature over a wide range of pressure (1 to 10) MPa. The experimental (vapor + liquid) equilibrium data were compared with the modeling results obtained using the Peng–Robinson and Soave–Redlich–Kwong equations of state. To improve the predictions, the binary interaction parameters were adjusted and the volume translation technique was applied. Both equations of state were found to be capable of describing the phase equilibria of these systems over the range of studied conditions. The Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation of state gave better predictions of saturated liquid densities than Peng–Robinson equation of state.     

Modeling the phase behavior of commercial biodegradable polymers and copolymer in supercritical fluids

Biodegradable polymers have received much attention as materials for reducing environmental problems caused by conventional plastic wastes. In this work, the thermodynamic behavior of binary and ternary systems composed by commercial biodegradable polymers and high-pressure fluids [poly(d,l-lactide) + dimethyl ether, poly(d,l-lactide) + carbon dioxide, poly(d,l-lactide) + chlorodifluoromethane, poly(d,l-lactide) + difluoromethane, poly(d,l-lactide) + trifluoromethane, poly(d,l-lactide) + 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, poly(butylene succinate) + carbon dioxide and poly(d,l-lactide) + dimethyl ether + carbon dioxide] and binary systems formed by commercial biodegradable copolymers and supercritical fluids [poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) + carbon dioxide] were studied. The Perturbed Chain-SAFT (PC-SAFT) and the Sanchez–Lacombe (SL) non-cubic EoS were used to model the liquid–fluid equilibrium (LFE) for these binary systems, by fitting one temperature-dependent binary interaction parameter. For comparison, the same data were also modeled by using the traditional Peng–Robinson (PR) cubic EoS. The three pure-component parameters of PC-SAFT and SL EoS and two pure-component of PR EoS were regressed by fitting pure-component data (liquid pressure–volume–temperature data for polymers and copolymer and vapor pressure and saturated liquid molar volume for fluids). The estimation of pure-component and binary interaction parameters was performed by using the modified maximum likelihood method with an objective function that includes the cloud point pressure. An excellent agreement was obtained with the PC-SAFT EoS, while the performance of the SL and PR EoS was less satisfactory.     

Contribution to study of the thermodynamics properties of mixtures containing 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane,alkanol, alkane

Excess molar enthalpies for the ternary system {x₁ 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane (MTBE) + x₂ 1-pentanol + (1 − x₁ − x₂) hexane} and the involved binary mixture {x 1-pentanol + (1 − x) hexane}, have been measured at T = 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure over the whole composition range. We are not aware of the existence of previous experimental measurement of the excess enthalpy for the ternary mixture under study in the literature currently available. Values of the excess molar enthalpies were measured using a Calvet microcalorimeter. The results were fitted by means of different variable degree polynomials. The ternary contribution to the excess enthalpy was correlated with the equation due to Verdes et al. (2004), and the equation proposed by Myers–Scott (1963) was used to fit the experimental binary mixture measured in this work. Smooth representations of the results are presented and used to construct constant excess molar enthalpy contours on Roozeboom diagrams. The excess molar enthalpies for the binary and ternary system are positive over the whole range of composition. The binary mixture {x 1-pentanol + (1 − x) hexane} is asymmetric, with its maximum displace toward a high mole fraction of decane. The ternary contribution is also positive with the exception of a range located around the rich compositions of 1-pentanol, and the representation is asymmetric.Additionally, the group contribution model of the UNIFAC model, in the versions of Larsen et al. (1987) [18] and Gmehling et al. (1993) [19] was used to estimate values of binary and ternary excess enthalpy. The experimental results were used to test the predictive capability of several empirical expressions for estimating ternary properties from binary results.