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 multicomponent fatty systems, for a commercial-grade oleic acid (approximately 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 polyunsaturated pure fatty substances, were correlated by an equation based on the number of carbon atoms and double bonds. By using this equation for pure compounds and the UNIMOD group contribution method for mixtures, the viscosity data Tor model fatty systems, commercial oleic acid, and canola oil were predicted. The good results obtained in the present work indicate that this approach can be a valuable tool for designing or evaluating chemical process equipment for the oil industry.