Solubility of erythritol in methanol, ethanol and methanol + ethanol: Experimental measurement and thermodynamic modeling

Abstract

Data on corresponding solid–liquid equilibrium of erythritol in methanol, ethanol and methanol+ethanol was measured with temperature range from 283.15K to 333.15K under atmospheric pressure by employing the gravimetric method. The experimental results indicated that the solubility of erythritol in the solvents increases with increasing both temperature and mass fraction of organic solvents. The experimental data were well-correlated with the modified Apelblat equation, the λh equation and the van’t Hoff equation. In addition, the calculated solubilities showed good agreement with the experimental results. It was found that the modified Apelblat equation could obtain the better correlation results than the other two models. The standard enthalpy, standard entropy, and Gibbs free energy change of solution of erythritol were calculated from the solubility data by using the modified Apelblat model and the van’t Hoff equation. What's more, the experimental data and model parameters would be useful for optimizing the process of purification of erythritol in industry.