Phase behaviour of the binary system propane and tristearin

This study reports on experimental data of binary mixtures of near-critical propane with tristearin (SSS). The measurements were carried out in a temperature region from 300 K up to 460 K and pressures up to 16 MPa were applied. Various two-and three-phase equilibria, including those in the presence of solid tristearin, have been determined. This study was part of an investigation to test the possibility of describing the phase behaviour of propane with edible oils and fats in terms of a limited number of 'key-binaries'. As an additional feature, this research also contributes to our knowledge of extraction and/or fractionation of edible oils and fats, using propane as the near-critical solvent. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.