Thermophysical Property Research at Texas A&M

Our current projects involve state-of-the-art measurements for fluids and their mixtures. We measure temperatures within 0.01 +/- 0.003 K, pressures within +/- 0.03%, densities within +/- 0.05% and composition within +/- 0.0001 mole fraction. Our data capability ranges are 100 - 500 K and 0 - 200 MPa. We utilize these data to enhance our ability to develop predictive correlations and fundamental theories associated with thermophysical properties of fluids and their mixtures.

1. Densities of hydrocarbon mixtures - we use a magnetic suspension densimeter and an isochoric apparatus to measure densities. These apparatus are all capable of precision measurements, and we utilize them in combinations to extract the maximum information from the fewest measurements.

2. Phase loops of hydrocarbon mixtures - not only do the equations of state fail to reproduce the densities of such mixtures faithfully, but they fail to reproduce the phase loops as well. We intend to combine these data with our density data to develop better equations of state.

3 Fundamentally important measurements - fluid behavior in the high-density region has a significant effect upon models. We intend to measure the densities up to 200 MPa.

4. Equation of state development and enhancement - we believe it is possible to describe fluids and their mixtures more accurately with relatively simple equations of state than has been available from traditional models. We have developed techniques to avoid volume displacement problems with simple equations of state, and we believe we can provide a model that is both simple and accurate.