(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium for the system {ethyl stearate(1) + ethanol(2) + glycerol(3)}

This paper reports the results of a new experimental study on the (liquid + liquid) equilibrium of the system {ethyl stearate(1) + ethanol(2) + glycerol(3)} at atmospheric pressure and at T = (313.15 and 323.15) K. The equilibrium compositions were measured by gas chromatography. Ternary diagrams were obtained for each temperature and the equilibrium data were compared to the system in the presence of salt (NaCl) at T = 323.15 K. The experimentally determined (liquid + liquid) equilibrium data were satisfactorily correlated with NRTL and UNIQUAC equations. A comparative analysis was performed using the UNIFAC-LLE group contribution method. From the results presented herein good predictions were obtained for this ternary system.

► We measured LLE for the ternary system (ethyl stearate + ethanol + glycerol) with and without NaCl.
► Phase equilibrium data for the biodiesel separation process are presented.
► The experimental data were modelled using NRTL, UNIQUAC and UNIFAC models.