Determination and modelling of the high-pressure vapour–liquid equilibrium carbon dioxide–methyl acetate

Experimental data for the high-pressure vapour–liquid equilibrium of the binary system of carbon dioxide and methyl acetate have been measured. Equilibrium data were needed for investigation of acetic acid esterification with methanol. Pressure–composition (P–x) isotherms were determined at 308, 318 and 328 K and an operation pressure up to 9 MPa. Data were modelled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state. Van der Waals one-fluid mixing rules were used for the temperature-dependent function a and for parameter b in the Peng–Robinson equation. One parameter van der Waals model for the cross coefficient terms aij and bij was used, which both contain one adjustable binary interaction parameter kij and lij, respectively. In a second modelling method the temperature dependence of kij and lij was determined. A comparison of experimental results with calculations obtained from PR equation showed a reasonable accordance of the data over a wide range of composition.