A continuum approach to microscopic surface tension for the n-alkanes

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie960104b· OSTI ID:413434

Su, Y Z; Flumerfelt, R W ^[1]

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1. Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Microscopic surface tensions of cavities in liquids or of droplets with radii down to about 0.5 nm have been predicted. Surface energies of small clusters are calculated from the unretarded dispersion forces at a spherical interface. The resulting expression for surface tension is a function of basic intermolecular properties and cluster size, with predictions for macroscopic surface tensions being in good agreement with experimental data (flat surface). The surface tension is found to decrease with decreasing radius, and for n-alkanes, such size effects occur below 2 nm; above this size, the predicted results closely approximate the planar values. Knowledge of microcluster surface properties is of great significance in understanding of microemulsion systems and in industrial applications of microemulsions such as tertiary oil recovery.

• OSTI ID: 413434
• Journal Information: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 35; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
ALKANES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
MICELLAR SYSTEMS
PETROLEUM
SURFACE POTENTIAL
SURFACE TENSION