Phase behavior of carbon dioxide + chloroform + ω-pentadecalactone + poly(ω-pentadecalactone) system: Experimental data and PC-SAFT modeling

Abstract Experimental phase equilibrium data for the quaternary system containing carbon dioxide + chloroform + ω-pentadecalactone + poly(ω-pentadecalactone), in the mass ratio of 1:0.25:1, 1:0.5:1, 1:1:1, 1:2:1 and 1:3:1 of carbon dioxide: chloroform: [ω-pentadecalactone + poly(ω-pentadecalactone)], simulating conversions up to 10.0 wt%, over the temperature range from 323.15 K to 353.15 K, in order to provide fundamental information to the polymerization reaction of ω-pentadecalactone in supercritical fluid medium. Phase transitions of vapor-liquid (bubble point type) were observed. Furthermore, an increase in chloroform content resulted in a decrease of phase transition pressures, revealing this component as an efficient co-solvent for overall system solubilization. For lower chloroform mass ratios (1:0.25:1 and 1:0.5:1), it was noticed that as the amount of polymer content increased, phase transition pressures were also enhanced. The experimental results were modeled using the PC-SAFT EoS, providing a reliable representation of the experimental phase equilibrium data.