Thomas M. Potts, Keerthi Srinivas, and Jerry W. King. Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 3202 Bell Engineering, Fayettville, AR 72701
Thermodynamic-based inverse gas chromatographic (IGC) measurements have been made to evaluate solvent-solute interactions for the system, soybean oil fatty acid methyl esters (solvent) and various organic compounds (solutes). In this method, gas chromatographic columns have been made consisting of soybean fatty acid methyl esters (methylsoyate) as the column stationary phase, and precise solute elution retention volumes were measured. Solute specific retention volumes were determined over a temperature range of 49-85oC on columns ranging from 15-25 wt% methylsoyate loading. Activity coefficients (both mole and weight fraction), Henry's Law constants, and heats of solution and mixing were obtained for 19 compounds representing n-alkane, aromatic, chlorinated hydrocarbon, ketone, n-alcohols, and aliphatic acid solute types. The Hildebrand solubility parameter for the methylsoyate in the temperature range 49-85 C is estimated. Both stabilized (with anitoxidants) and unstabilized methylsoyate samples were evaluated. The obtained values are compared to those found when soybean oil was used as the solvent. Values are compared to those obtained by direct measurement, where available.