Prediction the Physical Properties of Pure Esters for Modeling Biodiesel Combustion

Abstract

Adequate knowledge of biodiesel's physical properties is necessary to simulate its dispersion, atomization and combustion when it is being used in engines. The objective of this work was to evaluate predictive models of physical properties of seven main methyl and ethyl esters that compose biodiesel to model its combustion. The properties evaluated in this study were: normal boiling temperature, critical temperature, critical pressure, critical volume, acentric factor, saturation pressure, liquid density, enthalpy of vaporization and combustion, liquid viscosity, and surface tension. Satisfactory adjustments were obtained for each property evaluated by comparing estimated values to experimental data available in the literature.