THERMODYNAMIC FUNCTIONS OF FORMATION OF n-ALKANE COMPLEXES WITH CRYSTALLINE UREA.

It is important to know the equilibrium constants of formation of complexes of urea with n-alkanes differing in the number of carbon atoms in their molecules, as functions of temperature. In this investigation we obtained experimental data necessary for calculating the thermodynamic functions of formation of n-alkane complexes with crystalline urea up to the decomposition temperature. It is found that the equilibrium constants decrease with rise of temperature and with decrease of the length of the alkane molecule. Therefore for formation of urea complexes with a mixture of n-alkanes it is necessary to choose the optimal process temperature, which depends on the average molecular weight of the n-alkanes in the feedstock. The equilibrium constants can be used for estimating the process temperature and the ratio of urea to feedstock of known composition required for attaining the required degree of extraction of n-alkanes.