COPOLYMER SAFT EQUATION OF STATE - THERMODYNAMIC PERTURBATION-THEORY EXTENDED TO HETEROBONDED CHAINS

Thermodynamic perturbation theory of the first order (TPT1) is extende d to heterobonded chains, such as heteronuclear and branched copolymer s. The TPT1 formalism provides the basis for a copolymer equation of s tate. This new copolymer equation of state, referred to as Copolymer S AFT (Statistical Associating Fluid Theory), explicitly accounts for th e effects of chain heterogeneity and microstructure. In order to illus trate potential future applications, Copolymer SAFT is used to calcula te high-pressure cloud points in real polymer solutions of supercritic al propane + poly(ethylene-co-butene).