Viscosity prediction for fatty systems

Viscosity data have been measured as a function of temperature for two pure polyunsaturated fatty compounds (linoleic acid and trilinolein), for two m ulticomponent fatty systems, for a commercial-grade oleic acid (approximate ly 80% pure), and for canola oil. The measurements were performed in Cannon Fenske glass capillary kinematic viscometers. The contents of a large data bank, containing viscosity data for saturated, monounsaturated, and polyun saturated pure fatty substances, were correlated by an equation based on th e number of carbon atoms and double bonds. By using this equation for pure compounds and the UNIMOD group contribution method for mixtures, the viscos ity data Tor model fatty systems, commercial oleic acid, and canola oil wer e predicted. The good results obtained in the present work indicate that th is approach can be a valuable tool for designing or evaluating chemical pro cess equipment for the oil industry.