Title: Chemical thermodynamic data. 1. The concept of links to the chemical elements and the historical development of key thermodynamic data [plus Supplementary Electronic Annex 2]

Abstract

Chemical thermodynamic data remain a keystone for geochemical modeling and reactive transport simulation as applied to an increasing number of applications in the earth sciences, as well as applications in other areas including metallurgy, material science, and industrial process design. The last century has seen the development of a large body of thermodynamic data and a number of major compilations. The past several decades have seen the development of thermodynamic databases in digital form designed to support computer calculations. However, problems with thermodynamic data appear to be persistent. One problem pertains to the use of inconsistent primary key reference data. Such data pertain to elemental reference forms and key, stoichiometrically simple chemical species including metal oxides, CO2, water, and aqueous species such as Na+ and Cl-. A consistent set of primary key data (standard Gibbs energies, standard enthalpies, and standard entropies for key chemical species) for 298.15 K and 1 bar pressure is essential. Thermochemical convention is to define the standard Gibbs energy and the standard enthalpy of an individual chemical species in terms of formation from reference forms of the constituent chemical elements. We propose a formal concept of “links” to the elemental reference forms. This concept involves amore » documented understanding of all reactions and calculations leading to values for a formation property (standard Gibbs energy or enthalpy). A valid link consists of two parts: (a) the path of reactions and corrections and (b) the associated data, which are key data. Such a link differs from a bare “key” or “reference” datum in that it requires additional information. Some or all of its associated data may also be key data. In evaluating a reported thermodynamic datum, one should identify the links to the chemical elements, a process which can be time-consuming and which may lead to a dead end (an incomplete link). The use of two or more inconsistent links to the same elemental reference form in a thermodynamic database will result in an inconsistency in the database. Thus, in constructing a database, it is important to establish a set of reliable links (generally resulting in a set of primary reference data) and then correct all data adopted subsequently for consistency with that set. Recommended values of key data have not been constant through history. We review some of this history through the lens of major compilations and other influential reports, and note a number of problem areas. Finally, we illustrate the concepts developed in this paper by applying them to some key species of geochemical interest, including liquid water; quartz and aqueous silica; and gibbsite, corundum, and the aqueous aluminum ion.« less

Authors:

Wolery, Thomas J. ^[1]; Jove Colon, Carlos F. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Publication Date:

Mon Sep 26 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Fuel Cycle Technologies (NE-5); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

OSTI Identifier:

1365804

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1410023; OSTI ID: 1550699

Report Number(s):

SAND2017-1748J; LLNL-JRNL-677745
Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7037; 654200

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000; AC52-07NA27344

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 213; Journal ID: ISSN 0016-7037

Publisher:

The Geochemical Society; The Meteoritical Society

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY