Surface tension as a function of temperature was measured for four fatty ac
ids (lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic) and two triglycerides (tricapry
lin and tripalmitin). These surface tension measurements were performed usi
ng a K12 vers. 3.1 (Kruss GmbH) tensiometer at temperatures from 20 (or the
melting point of each substance) to 90 degrees C. The constants for a van
der Waals-type correlation as well as for a linear equation are presented.
Both equations are quite accurate, presenting mean deviations not exceeding
0.570%. Such correlation constants are valuable in the design or evaluatio
n of processing equipment, especially that involving gas-liquid contact suc
h as distillation and stripping columns, deodorizers, reactors, and equipme
nt for physical refining.