Ebulliometric determination and prediction of (vapor + liquid) equilibria for binary and ternary mixtures containing alcohols (C1–C4) and dimethyl carbonate

(Vapor + liquid) equilibrium (VLE) data for a ternary mixture, namely {methanol + propan-1-ol + dimethyl carbonate (DMC)}, and four binary mixtures, namely an {alcohol (C3 or C4) + DMC}, containing the binary constituent mixtures of the ternary mixture, were measured at p = (40.00 to 93.32) kPa using a modified Swietoslawski-type ebulliometer. The experimental data for the binary systems were correlated using the Wilson model. The Wilson model was also applied to the ternary system to predict the VLE behavior using parameters from the binary mixtures. The modified UNIFAC (Dortmund) model was also tested for the predictions of the VLE behavior of the binary and ternary mixtures. In addition, the experimental VLE data for the ternary and constituent binary mixtures were correlated using the extended Redlich–Kister (ERK) model, which can completely represent the azeotropic points. For the ternary system, a comparison of the experimental and the predicted or correlated boiling points obtained using the Wilson and ERK models showed that the ERK model is more accurate. The valley line, i.e., the curve which divides the patterns of vapor–liquid tie lines, was found in the (methanol + propan-1-ol + DMC) system. This valley line could be represented by the ERK model. Finally, the composition profile for simple distillation of this ternary mixture was obtained by analysis of the residue curves from the estimated Wilson parameters of the constituent binary mixtures.

► The VLE behavior of systems containing dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was investigated.
► VLE data for ternary and binary mixtures containing alcohol and DMC were measured.
► Several activity coefficient models were used for data reduction or prediction.
► Valley line, i.e., distillation boundary, was observed for the ternary mixture.
► Residue curves were calculated to investigate composition profile for distillation.