Interfacial tension in systems with a supercritical component at high pressures

Abstract

AbstractInterfacial tension of the binary systems pelargonic acid/ethane, pelargonic acid/carbon dioxide, linoleic acid/ethane, and linoleic acid/carbon dioxide was measured at 313, 333, and 353 K and pressures ranging up to 250 bar, using the capillary rise and Du Nouy ring methods. Both these methods yield similar values. The surface excess of supercritical components is deduced from the measurement results with the aid of Gibbs adsorption equation. The surface excess concentration increases with increasing gas activity, runs through a pronounced maximum, later decreasing rapidly to very small values. Near the surface excess maximum, a falling film of fatty acids disintegrates into a mist of tiny droplets.