Experimental measurement and modeling of the Type 3 ternary system containing (decane + water + triacetin)

• Phase diagram for the system n-decane + water + triacetin was established at 296.15 K and atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa).
• NRTL model showed satisfactory results when calculated and experimental data were compared.
• NRTL parameters from binary data could adequately predict the ternary behavior of the system.
• NRTL parameters from binary LLE, ternary LLE and ternary LLLE combined data best describe the behavior of the system.

Experiments were conducted to establish the phase diagram for the ternary system containing (n-decane + water + triacetin) at T = 296.15 K and ambient pressure. Results indicated that this system belongs to Type 3 Treybal classification with a (liquid + liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLLE) region. Five sets of NRTL parameters were determined using a combination of different objective functions and datasets (binary and ternary). A new objective function based on Gibbs energy minimization and a phase calculation scheme specific for Type 3 ternary systems were developed. Results indicated that the NRTL model can satisfactorily predict the ternary behavior of the system and could accurately correlate binary (liquid + liquid) equilibria (LLE), ternary LLE and ternary LLLE data simultaneously.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide