An apparatus for the measurement of surface tensions at high pressures and temperatures

Abstract

An apparatus for the measurement of surface tensions of organic liquids in contact with a gas has been developed which is capable of operation to 400°C and to 14 MPa. It is based on the maximum bubble pressure technique, modified for hydrocarbon oils at high pressures and temperatures. Accuracy of measurement is of the order of ±3% for non-aqueous systems for values down to 5 mN/m. Only a 20 to 30 mL liquid sample is required, and small gas volumes. In practice, it was found that measurements with most organic liquids could only be made to a maximum of about 350°C because of the thermal instability of most of these compounds, in particular, for hydrocarbon liquids. Any thermal decomposition or coke deposition leads to inaccurate results. Results obtained for known liquids are compared with values given in the literature.