Surface tension of pure heavy n - alkanes : a corresponding states approach

The surface tension of heavy n-alkanes is a poorly studied subject. Few data exist and the predictive methods used for their estimation are rather complex or show considerable errors for the higher members of the series. In this work, the corresponding states theory is used to predict the surface tension of the series of the n-alkanes. Two approaches have been followed: the first is a second-order perturbation model based on a Taylor series expansion of the surface tension using the Pitzer acentric factor; the second approach uses shape factors to account for the non-conformalities. Comparisons of the two models with experimental data and other available predictive methods are presented. © 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.