Correlation of the mutual diffusion coefficients of binary liquid mixtures

A correlative UNIDIF model for the mutual diffusion coefficients of binary liquid mixtures is developed using statistical thermodynamics and the absolute reaction rate theory. In this model, a mole fraction average of the logarithm of the pure-component limiting diffusion coefficients is taken as a reference term. The model expresses the excess part of the diffusion coefficient relative to this reference term in a form similar to that of a UNIQUAC equation which comprises two parts due to the combinatorial and residual contributions. The combinatorial part depends on the molecular sizes and shapes. The residual part includes two binary interaction parameters, which are obtained from data regression, for each binary mixture. Mutual diffusion coefficients of nonpolar + nonpolar, nonpolar + polar and polar + polar fluid mixtures are correlated in this study. Optimal binary interaction parameters are presented. Correlation results using the UNIDIF model for mutual diffusion coefficient are satisfactory and are superior to those from other methods. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.