Estimation of the Thermodynamic Properties of Branched Hydrocarbons

A simple model has been developed to estimate the sensible thermodynamic properties such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, heat capacity, and entropy of hydrocarbons over a wide range of temperatures with special attention to the branched molecules. The model is based on statistical thermodynamic expressions incorporating translational, rotational and vibrational motions of the atoms. A method to determine the number of degrees of freedom for different motion modes (bending and torsion) has been established. Branched rotational groups, such as $CH3$ and OH, have been considered. A modification of the characteristic temperatures for different motion mode has been made which improves the agreement with the exact values for simple cases. The properties of branched alkanes up to 2,3,4,-trimthylpentane have been calculated and the results are in good agreement with the experimental data. A relatively small number of parameters are needed in this model to estimate the sensible thermodynamic properties of a wide range of species. The model may also be used to estimate the properties of molecules and their isomers, which have not been measured, and is simple enough to be easily programmed as a subroutine for on-line kinetic calculations. [S0195-0738(00)00902-X]