The thermodynamic characterization of a potential new alternative biofuel formed from 1-propanol and ethyl levulinate is reported. This characterization is based on experimental determinations of vapor–liquid equilibria (VLE), liquid mass density, liquid dynamic viscosity, and surface tension. Specifically, the VLE are reported at 40 and 60 kPa and over the temperature range from 347 to 456 K. Liquid dynamic viscosity and surface tension for the mixture are measured at 298.15 and 101.30 kPa. The experimental VLE show nonazeotropic behavior, with a positive deviation from Raoult’s law. The VLE data are thermodynamically consistent and are well correlated by classical activity coefficient models (i.e., NRTL, Wilson, and UNIQUAC), where the NRTL model shows lower deviations. Liquid mass density decreases as the mole fraction of 1-propanol increases. Viscosimetry shows that the liquid dynamic viscosity negative deviates from linear behavior, decreases with increasing mole fraction of 1-propanol, x1, reaching a minimum at x1 = 0.69, and then increases. This behavior is correlated using four parameters of the Myers–Scott expansion. Tensiometry results indicate that surface tension exhibits a negative deviation from its linear behavior, decreases as the mole fraction of 1-propanol increases, and is well-correlated by four parameters of the Redlich–Kister polynomial.
Cartes et al. (Fri,) studied this question.