Liquid-liquid equilibria for ternary systems acetic acid + n-butyl acetate + hydrocarbons at 293.15 K

Abstract

Liquid-liquid equilibrium data for acetic acid + n-butyl acetate + hydrocarbons ternary systems at T = 293.15 K are reported in this work. The effect of hydrocarbon chain length on liquid-liquid equilibrium is determined and discussed. Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexadecane, dodecane and decane were particularly investigated. The organic chemicals (esters and hydrocarbons) were quantified by gas chromatography using a flame ionisation detector while acetic acid was quantified by titration with sodium hydroxide. Experimental tie-line data for the ternary mixtures were correlated using Othmer-Tobias, Bachman and Hand correlations in order to show the reliability of the experimental results. Finally, these experimental data were correlated with the UNIQUAC model. It appeared that this model provides a good correlation of the solubility curve with these three hydrocarbons.