Author(s)

R Holmen

Abstract

A numerical model has been developed in order to simulate freezing of binary mixtures of n-alkanes in the C16, C19, range. The initial and boundary conditions are chosen to imitate the conditions of previously reported experiments. The model represents the experiments within the limit of the uncertainties of the physical properties and the interfacial temperature. The results from the simulations are used to test different hypothesis regarding physical properties and mechanisms. The model suggests that the solid structure is predominantly in a rotator structure at the temperatures investigated. The properties of the rotator phase are represented better by the physical properties solid of C17 than by molar averages. The results from the simulations support the hypothesis that the limiting mechanism of deposition is the thermal diffusion. This implies that further work towards a model of deposition of wax should focus on the determination of the thermo physical properties of solid wax instead of further development of models for the solid-liquid equilibrium.

Keywords