Isobaric vaporÀliquid equilibrium (VLE) data have been measured for the binary system ethanol þ 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane at (50, 75, and 94 kPa) and over the temperature range (334 to 356) K. Equilibrium determinations were performed in a VLE still with circulation of both phases. The dependence of interfacial tensions of this mixture on concentration was also determined at atmospheric pressure and 303.15 K, using the maximum differential bubble pressure technique. According to experimental results, the mixture exhibits a positive deviation and a minimum boiling point azeotrope for which the mole fraction impoverishes in ethanol as pressure (or temperature) increases. In addition, the determined interfacial tensions exhibit a negative deviation from the linear behavior. The VLE data of the binary mixture satisfy the Fredenlund's consistency test and were wellcorrelated by the Wohl, nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL), Wilson, and universal quasichemical (UNIQUAC) equations for all of the measured isobars. Interfacial tensions, in turn, were satisfactorily correlated using the RedlichÀKister equation.
' INTRODUCTIONOxygenated gasolines have been incorporated in commercial fuels from the past decade, to reduce carbon monoxide emissions, and for reducing ozone depletion in zones where air pollution levels exceed the allowed limits. 1 Oxygenated gasoline approximately contains 2.7 wt % of oxygen and emit 15 % less unburned hydrocarbons than traditional gasoline mixtures. The purpose of oxygenate blending it to add oxygen-bearing solvents to fuels, and alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, butanol) as well as ether oxygenates (such as 2-methoxy-2-methylpropane or MTBE, 2-ethoxy-2-methyl-propane or ETBE, 2,2 0 -oxybis- [propane] or DIPE, and 2-methoxy-2-methylbutane or TAME) have been demonstrated to be reliable and economical alternatives for the purpose. MTBE and ethanol were first introduced as oxygenates showing an adequate performance as motor fuels with high octane number. However, due to high solubility of MTBE in water it presents significant hazard in case of accidental release to environment, thus forcing to evaluate its substitution by other less harmful ethers. Some well-known alternatives for replacing MTBE are ETBE, DIPE, or TAME. Particularly, TAME shows an attractive potential over DIPE and ETBE since, compared to MTBE, it exhibits comparable thermophysical properties however showing clear benefits as: (a) a lower environmental impact, 2 (b) effective gasoline antiknocking, and (c) it may be produced from commercially available feedstocks. 3 Unfortunately, environmental studies 4 and thermophysical key properties of TAME as co-oxygenate (specifically vapor liquid equilibrium and interfacial tension data) are scarce when compared to other more traditional ether oxygenates. 2 Previous works reporting vaporÀliquid equilibrium (VLE) data of ethanol þ TAME cover atmospheric conditions 5 and isothermal conditions ranging from (323.15 to 333.15) K. 6,8 In addition, azeotropic coordinates have also been characterized. ...