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Joule-Thomson coefficients of propane and n-butane

Citation

Smith, Ronald Lee (1970) Joule-Thomson coefficients of propane and n-butane. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/1TJD-R369. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:08272015-130752874

Abstract

Experimental Joule-Thomson measurements were made on gaseous propane at temperatures from 100 to 280˚F and at pressures from 8 to 66 psia. Joule-Thomson measurements were also made on gaseous n-butane at temperatures from 100 to 280˚ and at pressures from 8 to 42 psia. For propane, the values of these measurements ranged from 0.07986˚F/psi at 280˚F and 8.01 psia to 0.19685˚F/psi at 100˚F and 66.15 psia. For n-butane, the values ranged from 0.11031˚F/psi at 280˚F and 9.36 psia to 0.30141˚F/psi at 100˚F and 41.02 psia. The experimental values have a maximum error of 1.5 percent.

For n-butane, the measurements of this study did not agree with previous Joule-Thomson measurements made in the Laboratory in 1935. The application of a thermal-transfer correction to the previous experimental measurements would cause the two sets of data to agree. Calculated values of the Joule-Thomson coefficient from other types of p-v-t data did agree with the present measurements for n-butane.

The apparatus used to measure the experimental Joule-Thomson coefficients had a radial-flow porous thimble and was operated at pressure changes between 2.3 and 8.6 psi. The major difference between this and other Joule-Thomson apparatus was its larger weight rates of flow (up to 6 pounds per hour) at atmospheric pressure. The flow rate was shown to have an appreciable effect on non-isenthalpic Joule-Thomson measurements.

Photographic materials on pages 79-81 are essential and will not reproduced clearly on Xerox copies. Photographic copies should be ordered.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemical Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Sage, Bruce H.
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:7 May 1970
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
Standard Oil of CaliforniaUNSPECIFIED
CaltechUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:08272015-130752874
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:08272015-130752874
DOI:10.7907/1TJD-R369
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9117
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:27 Aug 2015 21:03
Last Modified:09 Nov 2022 19:20

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