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Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and Chemistry logoLink to Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards. Section A, Physics and Chemistry
. 1974 May-Jun;78A(3):401–410. doi: 10.6028/jres.078A.023

The Specific Heats, Cσ, and CV, of Compressed and Liquefied Methane

B A Younglove 1,**
PMCID: PMC6742817  PMID: 32189790

Abstract

The specific heats, Cσ, of saturated liquid methane have been measured at 66 temperatures in the temperature range 95–187 K. The specific heats at constant volume, CV, have been measured at 20 densities ranging from 0.8 to 2.8 times the critical density, at temperatures between 91 and 300 K, and at pressures to 330 bar (at 280 PVT states in all). The uncertainty of most of the measurements is estimated to be less than 0.5 percent, except near the critical point. These measurements were performed primarily to provide input data for accurate thermodynamic properties data calculations for liquid methane. They are believed to be the most comprehensive specific heat measurements available for pure compressed gaseous and liquid methane.

Keywords: Constant volume, heat capacity, liquid, saturated liquid, specific heat, methane

1. Introduction

For the calculation of fluid thermodynamic properties such as internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, and velocity of sound, at temperatures less than the critical point, one needs either the latent heat of vaporization or specific heat along a path traversing the temperatures of interest. Heat capacity measurements are much easier than latent heat measurements and the specific heat measurements are not restricted to the liquid-vapor curve but can be made covering temperatures and densities in the single phase fluid region as well.

For methane, specific heat of the saturated liquid, Cσ, was measured from 95 to 187 K, and specific heat at constant volume, CV, was measured on 20 isochores with densities ranging from 8 mol/l to 28 mol/l, temperatures from 90 to 300 K, and pressures to 330 bar [1].1

2. Apparatus

The specific heats were obtained using a constant volume adiabatic calorimeter, as described previously by Goodwin [2]. Basically, it consists of a thin spherical stainless-steel sample holder bearing a heater and platinum resistance thermometer and enclosed in an adiabatic shield. The calorimeter and cryostat are shown in figure 1. The refrigerant was liquid nitrogen.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Calorimeter and cryostat.

The versatility of this instrument is demonstrated in that it has been used with very minor modifications for the CV and Cσ measurements of hydrogen [3, 4], oxygen [5, 6], fluorine [7, 8], and in this work on methane. These measurements cover temperatures from 14 to 300 K and pressures to 330 bar.

The thermometer was calibrated by the NBS Temperature Section. Temperatures are on the IPTS–68 scale. The temperature of the adiabatic shield and guard ring are controlled to the sample temperature with difference thermocouples and automatic power regulation. Heat exchange to the sample holder is considered negligible.

The sample used was 99.99 percent methane. Impurities as analyzed by the supplier in ppm were CO2 < 10; O2, 4; N2, 12. A molecular sieve in an ice bath served to ensure removal of water vapor present in the sample.

3. Procedure

In essence, the specific heat CV is calculated from the measured parameters as follows. The total heat capacity is determined as the ratio of the heat input ΔQ to the temperature increase ΔT brought about by applying a very stable power source to a resistor attached to the calorimeter sample holder, for an elapsed time Δt. The heat capacity of the empty sample holder Co is then subtracted off. It, of course, was previously measured in exactly the same way except with the sample space pumped to a vacuum. The difference of these two quantities is the heat capacity of the methane sample. The specific heat is obtained by dividing the heat capacity by the amount of methane, N.

Actually, several corrections are made to the above. Since the sample holder is a thin stainless steel sphere (~ 0.16 mm wall thickness and 5 cm diam), it stretches as the pressure increases. This allows work to be done by the methane due to the increase of the sample volume. This correction [4, 5, 6], developed by Walker [9], ranges from 0.5 to 5 percent of the resulting CV value. However, it can be made accurately.

Of the three variables, pressure, temperature, and density, only temperature is measured during the measurement of an isochore. The pressure and temperature are measured at filling and the density calculated from the PVT surface [10], The amount of methane, N, is calculated from the volume V (T, P) as previously determined [3, 5]. The density for each CV measurement is calculated from the filling density after correcting for sample holder expansion and the amount compressed into the filling capillary [6].

In the case of the Cσ measurement, the two phase heat capacity (liquid and gas) is first determined as the difference of the total heat capacity (DQ/DT, column 6 of table 1) and the empty heat capacity (Co, column 7) and the result divided by the total amount of sample (C2, column 8). Then the effects of the latent heat of vaporization and heat absorbed by the vapor are subtracted [3, 5, 7] to give Cσ (column 10). This type of correction is derived by Hoge [11].

Table 1.

Specific heat of saturated liquid methane, Cσ or Csat; specific heat at constant volume of saturated liquid calculated, CV; specific heat of the two phase (liquid-vapor) system, C2; heat capacity of the calorimeter (empty) C0, and heat capacity of the calorimeter (full) ΔQ/ΔT or DQ/DT, with temperature, pressure, density, and temperature increment, DT

ID Temp K Press bar Dens mol/l DT K DQ/DT J/K C0 J/K C2 J/mol·K Cv J/mol·K Csat J/mol·K
201 95.402 0.209 27.755 3.657 133.482 46.671 54.418 34.274 54.240
401 95.846 .219 27.718 5.799 139.159 46.881 54.252 34.103 54.131
202 99.021 .311 27.450 3.574 135.870 48.348 54.864 34.169 54.647
302 101.651 .409 27.224 6.638 141.300 49.520 55.058 34.016 54.877
402 101.961 .422 27.198 6.420 143.111 49.656 54.943 33.883 54.790
203 102.574 .448 27.145 3.524 137.905 49.923 55.152 33.898 54.896
204 106.891 .673 26.767 5.110 140.924 51.750 55.899 33.941 55.602
303 108.219 .758 26.649 6.495 145.302 52.293 55.794 33.710 55.583
403 108.800 .797 26.597 7.236 146.902 52.528 55.483 33.349 55.315
205 112.604 1.097 26.254 6.273 144.013 54.022 56.410 33.478 56.075
304 115.165 1.343 26.019 7.386 149.404 54.988 56.638 33.391 56.434
206 119.117 1.802 25.649 6.702 147.576 56.412 57.144 33.041 56.810
305 122.474 2.278 25.327 7.194 153.257 57.561 57.404 32.862 57.287
405 123.367 2.419 25.240 7.498 154.829 57.858 57.008 32.389 56.996
207 125.766 2.830 25.005 6.568 151.006 58.636 57.899 32.534 57.645
406 130.765 3.852 24.500 7.297 158.819 60.171 57.992 32.000 58.245
208 132.274 4.209 24.343 6.430 154.477 60.612 58.834 32.162 58.774
1001 132.751 4.326 24.293 5.117 122.552 60.750 62.894 32.148 58.879
902 135.455 5.038 24.007 4.538 137.072 61.512 60.813 31.499 58.930
1002 137.805 5.723 23.752 4.973 125.195 62.151 64.157 31.650 59.729
903 139.970 6.412 23.513 4.476 139.223 62.720 61.570 30.986 59.698
801 144.305 7.971 23.017 4.019 141.250 63.808 62.323 30.460 60.560
904 144.401 8.009 23.005 4.386 141.728 63.831 62.689 30.797 60.929
802 148.500 9.725 22.514 4.371 143.789 64.800 63.565 30.407 62.033
905 148.881 9.896 22.467 4.316 143.807 64.888 63.509 30.230 62.005
1003 150.824 10.807 22.224 4.332 133.134 65.326 68.994 31.449 64.014
803 152.809 11.798 21.969 4.247 146.566 65.763 65.022 30.468 63.898
906 153.157 11.978 21.924 4.229 146.775 65.838 65.129 30.459 64.048
1004 155.542 13.267 21.606 4.941 135.238 66.345 70.092 30.518 65.246
804 157.043 14.128 21.401 4.180 148.588 66.657 65.926 29.932 65.435
907 157.355 14.312 21.358 4.167 148.747 66.721 66.001 29.899 65.569
1005 159.127 15.388 21.107 4.035 137.307 67.080 71.446 30.244 66.905
805 161.181 16.707 20.808 4.095 151.123 67.486 67.294 29.823 67.733
908 161.483 16.908 20.763 4.088 151.284 67.545 67.375 29.793 67.898
1006 163.136 18.036 20.512 3.982 138.917 67.864 72.280 29.161 68.379
1402 163.782 18.492 20.412 5.441 153.354 67.987 68.702 30.257 69.936
806 165.249 19.556 20.179 4.036 153.713 68.263 68.749 29.746 70.534
1407 165.128 19.467 20.199 5.131 154.144 68.240 69.132 30.171 70.865
909 165.548 19.779 20.131 4.043 153.880 68.318 68.838 29.719 70.745
1007 166.549 20.536 19.967 2.738 141.994 68.503 74.756 29.907 71.756
807 169.253 22.687 19.505 3.963 156.273 68.991 70.216 29.609 73.960
910 169.565 22.945 19.450 3.949 156.656 69.047 70.480 29.743 74.411
1220 170.157 23.440 19.344 7.335 138.896 69.151 79.614 29.404 74.696
1008 170.197 23.474 19.336 4.297 144.726 69.159 76.862 30.033 75.369
1408 170.251 23.520 19.327 5.020 157.666 69.168 71.213 30.181 75.575
1403 171.097 24.243 19.172 5.271 158.018 69.316 71.376 29.980 76.320
808 173.180 26.094 18.773 3.890 159.054 69.675 71.898 29.577 78.540
911 173.480 26.369 18.714 3.873 159.572 69.727 72.273 29.813 79.194
701 173.505 26.392 18.709 5.002 141.928 69.731 81.284 29.262 78.678
1216 174.032 26.880 18.603 7.180 141.932 69.820 82.310 29.445 79.623
1009 174.429 27.252 18.522 4.167 148.478 69.887 79.930 30.556 81.334
1409 175.228 28.012 18.355 4.900 161.213 70.021 73.374 30.069 82.128
1404 176.295 29.051 18.125 5.118 162.367 70.198 74.158 30.312 84.253
809 177.029 29.782 17.961 3.811 162.720 70.318 74.323 30.097 85.466
1221 177.420 30.177 17.872 6.968 146.364 70.382 86.720 31.201 87.382
702 177.902 30.670 17.760 3.799 145.938 70.461 84.967 29.552 86.790
1010 178.557 31.349 17.603 4.090 151.355 70.567 82.156 29.861 88.641
1200 180.613 33.553 17.078 5.694 148.814 70.895 88.923 30.420 95.067
1217 181.034 34.018 16.963 6.825 149.125 70.961 89.202 30.254 96.349
703 181.645 34.702 16.790 3.688 150.564 71.057 89.496 30.451 98.844
1011 182.572 35.759 16.516 3.940 156.745 71.201 86.983 31.025 103.442
1222 184.222 37.703 15.976 6.616 154.219 71.454 94.445 31.451 113.330
704 185.271 38.982 15.588 3.549 156.464 71.613 95.503 31.421 121.769
1201 186.127 40.050 15.236 5.329 158.456 71.742 98.948 32.509 132.153
1012 187.577 41.915 14.530 6.026 151.278 71.957 80.630 16.306 141.359
1218 187.633 41.988 14.499 6.358 160.079 71.965 100.540 30.050 156.489
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The temperature increment, resulting from a constant power input over a time Δt, is evaluated at the middle of the heating interval by extrapolating the temperature drift rates evaluated just before heating and after an equilibrating time has elapsed (about 20 min). Care was taken to reduce the effects of noise on drift rate by taking many (10 to 20) measurements of time and temperature.

4. Results

The specific heat of the saturated liquid was measured for 66 temperatures. The lowest was 95 K (triple point, 90.68 K) and the highest 187 K (see fig. 2 and table 1). The estimated uncertainty in the measured value of Cσ is about 0.5 percent generally but increasing to about 5 percent within a few Kelvin of the critical point. The data of Weibe and Breevort [12] are shown for comparison as the closed circles. Their measurements agree remarkably well with the new data, considering the state of the art at that time.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Specific heat of the saturated liquid for methane, this work, ○, the measurements of Wiebe and Breevort ● [12].

Figure 3 and table 2 show CV as a function of temperature for the various isochores. The dashed line is the locus of CV for saturated liquid as extrapolated from the CV measurements. The uncertainties in CV are the same as for Cσ. Densities Q, R, S, and T have uncertainties as large as 5 percent near critical temperature, indicated as Tc on figure 3. Density T is 22 percent less than critical density.

Figure 3. Specific heat at constant volume of methane on isochores versus temperature.

Figure 3.

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Open and closed circles on alternate isochores are for clarity.

A – 28.0 mol/l,

B – 27.4 mol/l

C – 26.7mol/l

D – 25.8

E – 24.7

F – 24.0

G – 23.0

H – 22.1

I – 21.3

J – 19.5

K – 18.0

L – 17.0

M – 16.7

N – 16.0

P – 14.4

Q – 13.1

R – 13.1

S – 11.8

T – 7.9

Table 2.

Specific heat at constant volume, Cv, of methane; heat correction for calorimeter expansion Cl, heat capacity of empty calorimeter, CO, total heat capacity of calorimeter (full) ΔQ/ΔT or DQ/DT, with temperature, pressure, density, and temperature increment, DT

ID Temp
K		 Press
bar		 Den
mol/1		 DT
K		 DQ/DT
J/K		 Co
J/K		 Cl J/mol·K Cv J/mol·K
2209 200.342 56.917 7.991 7.542 94.477 73.734 0.166 35.351
2203 201.339 58.027 7.991 5.459 94.406 73.865 .167 35.004
2210 207.854 65.217 7.988 7.559 94.152 74.691 .170 33.153
2204 208.168 65.562 7.988 7.419 94.184 74.729 .170 33.141
2211 215.402 73.451 7.984 7.554 94.227 75.593 .175 31.732
2212 222.937 81.598 7.980 7.511 94.677 76.439 .182 31.046
2205 222.993 81.658 7.980 7.361 94.691 76.445 .182 31.059
2206 230.373 89.583 7.977 7.387 95.264 77.226 .189 30.698
2213 230.453 89.668 7.977 7.484 95.130 77.234 .189 30.455
2207 237.534 97.229 7.973 7.324 95.819 77.940 .195 30.419
2214 238.128 97.862 7.973 7.382 95.748 77.998 .196 30.198
2208 244.733 104.881 7.970 7.292 96.283 78.619 .202 30.045
2215 245.476 105.669 7.969 7.369 96.374 78.687 .203 30.084
2216 252.815 113.433 7.966 7.332 97.017 79.335 .210 30.067
2218 266.349 127.671 7.959 7.246 97.960 80.436 .222 29.785
1505 195.780 53.853 10.176 6.728 102.498 73.123 .185 39.325
1523 198.095 57.310 10.175 5.257 101.084 73.436 .189 36.999
1521 198.426 57.804 10.174 5.284 101.071 73.480 .189 36.921
1506 202.601 64.048 10.171 6.923 100.060 74.028 .194 34.818
1502 203.142 64.857 10.171 6.470 106.980 74.098 .195 44.032
1524 203.375 65.206 10.171 5.301 100.142 74.128 .196 34.793
1522 203.731 65.739 10.171 5.320 99.881 74.173 .197 34.382
1525 208.704 73.193 10.167 5.334 99.538 74.795 .203 33.078
1523 209.057 73.722 10.167 5.326 99.856 74.838 .204 33.447
1507 209.526 74.426 10.166 6.942 99.491 74.895 .203 32.879
1503 209.853 74.915 10.166 6.955 99.636 74.935 .204 33.020
1526 214.044 81.206 10.164 5.346 99.736 75.434 .211 32.476
1508 216.467 84.845 10.161 6.956 99.479 75.715 .213 31.750
1504 216.813 85.365 10.161 6.945 99.842 75.755 .214 32.185
1509 223.396 95.256 10.157 6.923 99.937 76.489 .223 31.318
1510 230.790 106.373 10.151 6.920 100.066 77.268 .233 30.432
1511 237.756 116.844 10.147 6.901 100.443 77.962 .242 29.998
1512 244.636 127.181 10.142 6.864 100.993 78.610 .251 29.857
1513 251.488 137.466 10.137 6.819 101.457 79.221 .261 29.650
1514 259.403 149.331 10.131 6.782 102.116 79.886 .271 29.632
1515 266.154 159.433 10.126 6.725 102.604 80.421 .280 29.560
1517 282.516 183.843 10.114 6.617 104.067 81.599 .301 29.922
1518 289.146 193.696 10.110 6.625 104.538 82.032 .310 29.964
1519 295.822 203.596 10.105 6.556 105.109 82.444 .319 30.170
219 195.627 55.318 11.838 9.621 105.430 73.102 .204 37.165
223 196.581 57.055 11.839 7.285 104.709 73.232 .209 36.177
224 203.924 70.601 11.832 7.393 103.134 74.198 .226 33.223
225 211.370 84.550 11.826 7.394 102.930 75.118 .242 31.908
205 215.626 92.584 11.822 8.023 102.779 75.618 .250 31.148
226 218.787 98.572 11.819 7.411 102.950 75.979 .256 30.922
206 223.653 107.819 11.815 8.022 103.224 76.517 .265 30.609
227 226.191 112.653 11.813 7.374 103.274 76.789 .270 30.347
207 231.675 123.117 11.808 7.947 103.685 77.359 0.279 30.155
228 233.566 126.729 11.806 7.338 103.858 77.549 .283 30.130
208 239.625 138.319 11.801 7.906 104.383 78.141 .293 30.043
229 204.923 140.803 11.800 7.311 104.171 78.264 .296 29.653
209 248.734 155.761 11.792 7.882 104.855 78.979 .309 29.604
210 257.453 172.459 11.784 9.556 105.552 79.726 .323 29.534
211 266.957 190.643 11.775 9.438 106.408 80.482 .339 29.632
212 276.534 208.934 11.766 9.341 107.186 81.187 .355 29.702
214 296.364 246.647 11.748 9.271 108.845 82.476 .388 30.098
301 204.751 77.746 13.088 7.244 105.556 74.303 .264 32.393
302 212.016 93.924 13.080 7.229 105.596 75.195 .282 31.485
303 219.265 110.242 13.073 7.214 105.859 76.033 .299 30.868
304 226.524 126.697 13.065 7.179 106.293 76.824 .315 30.478
305 234.072 143.881 13.057 7.166 106.784 77.600 .331 30.165
306 241.245 160.256 13.050 7.146 107.321 78.295 .347 29.985
307 248.387 176.580 13.042 7.078 107.969 78.948 .362 29.965
309 262.566 208.987 13.026 7.007 109.144 80.140 .391 29.918
310 276.780 241.398 13.011 6.874 110.608 81.204 .419 30.309
313 276.944 241.772 13.010 6.908 110.434 81.216 .419 30.114
314 283.783 257.318 13.003 6.854 110.947 81.684 .433 30.147
311 290.591 272.756 12.995 6.847 111.617 82.124 .446 30.375
312 297.427 288.216 12.987 6.788 112.344 82.540 .460 30.687
501 191.539 52.228 14.388 7.056 108.595 72.531 .268 34.042
528 195.039 61.226 14.383 8.352 107.756 73.021 .281 32.765
502 198.638 70.602 14.379 7.127 107.453 73.509 .295 32.000
520 200.323 75.028 14.377 8.432 107.534 73.732 .299 31.860
503 205.816 89.577 14.371 7.131 107.532 74.437 .315 31.171
521 208.733 97.366 14.366 8.358 107.655 74.799 .321 30.940
504 212.954 108.696 14.362 7.102 107.804 75.306 .334 30.585
522 217.103 119.884 14.356 8.319 107.990 75.788 .347 30.292
505 220.066 127.901 14.353 7.075 108.187 76.123 .356 30.152
523 225.394 142.360 14.346 8.245 108.656 76.704 .369 30.032
506 227.167 147.180 14.344 7.039 108.887 76.892 .375 30.067
524 234.287 166.574 14.334 8.234 109.380 77.621 .392 29.826
507 234.417 166.928 14.335 6.969 109.372 77.634 .393 29.805
508 241.372 185.902 14.326 6.927 109.898 78.307 .411 29.647
525 242.493 188.962 14.324 8.159 109.939 78.412 .412 29.585
509 248.293 204.791 14.317 6.910 110.378 78.940 .428 29.485
510 255.197 223.622 14.308 6.870 111.009 79.538 .445 29.500
511 262.143 242.543 14.299 6.820 111.759 80.107 .461 29.656
514 265.537 251.779 14.294 7.970 112.059 80.373 .468 29.681
512 269.538 262.650 14.289 7.971 112.383 80.678 .478 29.689
515 273.495 273.386 14.284 7.928 112.890 80.969 .487 29.885
513 277.494 284.223 14.278 7.914 113.176 81.255 .497 29.877
516 281.439 294.892 14.273 7.875 113.651 81.527 .506 30.061
517 289.349 316.229 14.262 7.793 114.710 82.045 .524 30.557
701 187.947 51.088 16.104 7.172 110.110 72.012 0.350 32.038
707 188.669 53.498 16.103 6.957 110.164 72.118 .353 31.990
721 191.577 63.245 16.098 6.895 110.072 72.537 .367 31.543
702 195.118 75.188 16.093 7.178 110.019 73.032 .378 31.066
708 195.637 76.943 16.092 6.947 110.062 73.103 .380 31.040
720 199.140 88.833 16.087 6.859 110.111 73.576 .390 30.670
703 202.277 99.525 16.082 7.135 110.530 73.987 .397 30.670
709 202.632 100.738 16.082 6.943 110.308 74.032 .399 30.441
704 209.408 123.943 16.071 7.112 110.909 74.881 .426 30.204
710 209.569 124.495 16.071 6.933 110.994 74.901 .427 30.258
711 216.494 148.306 16.060 6.873 111.429 75.718 .450 29.911
705 216.509 148.360 16.060 7.078 111.388 75.720 .450 29.875
712 223.352 171.937 16.049 6.816 112.095 76.484 .472 29.805
706 223.900 173.825 16.048 7.007 112.128 76.544 .473 29.780
713 230.437 196.359 16.038 6.824 112.675 77.232 .494 29.639
714 237.251 219.833 16.027 6.791 113.485 77.913 .515 29.729
715 244.048 243.213 16.016 6.758 113.994 78.556 .536 29.594
716 250.777 266.302 16.005 6.660 114.660 79.159 .557 29.627
717 257.424 289.044 15.994 6.627 115.322 79.724 .577 29.689
718 264.035 311.587 15.983 6.571 116.177 80.256 .597 29.944
719 270.623 333.970 15.972 6.544 116.590 80.759 .616 29.849
1601 185.501 42.477 16.038 2.172 110.226 71.648 .337 32.608
1602 187.587 49.323 16.035 2.006 110.069 71.959 .348 32.198
1603 189.591 55.934 16.032 2.009 109.944 72.252 .358 31.832
1604 191.595 62.582 16.029 2.004 110.119 72.539 .361 31.732
1618 192.871 66.824 16.024 6.135 109.928 72.719 .367 31.410
1605 193.605 69.272 16.026 2.010 109.753 72.822 .377 31.163
1606 195.615 75.989 16.023 2.012 109.895 73.100 .383 31.041
1607 197.622 82.719 16.020 2.003 110.311 73.373 .389 31.157
1608 199.628 89.464 16.017 2.005 110.203 73.640 .396 30.831
1619 200.031 90.821 16.011 8.252 110.152 73.693 .391 30.746
1620 209.230 121.946 15.996 10.164 110.765 74.859 .419 30.246
1609 217.884 151.399 15.986 6.097 111.290 75.877 .452 29.793
1611 223.224 169.616 15.977 6.069 111.946 76.470 .469 29.830
1610 223.903 171.930 15.976 6.052 112.026 76.544 .471 29.834
1622 229.421 190.764 15.964 10.032 112.633 77.128 .484 29.842
1612 229.453 190.871 15.967 6.063 112.588 77.131 .488 29.795
1623 239.424 224.878 15.948 9.937 113.475 78.122 .515 29.681
1613 241.503 231.959 15.948 5.956 113.763 78.319 .525 29.748
1614 247.521 252.433 15.939 5.898 114.298 78.871 .544 29.715
1615 253.443 272.535 15.929 5.912 114.868 79.389 .562 29.742
1616 259.333 292.473 15.919 5.842 115.529 79.880 .579 29.869
1617 265.198 312.270 15.910 5.849 116.001 80.347 .597 29.856
1309 184.764 45.449 16.723 5.354 110.741 71.537 0.381 31.721
1301 187.826 56.698 16.717 6.932 110.769 71.994 .394 31.357
1310 190.103 65.099 16.714 5.347 110.862 72.326 .406 31.150
1302 194.733 82.255 16.706 6.892 110.968 72.979 .423 30.685
1311 195.445 84.904 16.706 5.344 111.063 73.077 .427 30.679
1303 201.094 105.956 16.696 5.855 111.252 73.833 .446 30.196
1323 202.937 112.841 16.693 6.031 111.551 74.072 .453 30.239
1312 206.062 124.532 16.688 5.287 111.919 74.468 .465 30.204
1304 206.122 124.756 16.689 4.249 111.707 74.475 .466 30.023
1324 208.680 134.336 16.683 5.477 112.228 74.792 .473 30.184
1305 210.401 140.788 16.681 4.330 112.079 75.001 .481 29.882
1313 211.348 144.339 16.679 5.286 112.322 75.115 .483 29.987
1325 214.143 154.818 16.674 5.464 112.494 75.446 .492 29.847
1306 215.024 158.123 16.673 4.934 112.592 75.549 .496 29.840
1314 216.658 164.252 16.670 5.219 112.889 75.737 .501 29.924
1326 219.582 175.218 16.665 5.433 112.992 76.069 .511 29.727
1327 225.003 195.545 16.655 5.423 113.635 76.662 .530 29.749
1317 232.337 223.009 16.643 5.178 114.228 77.426 .555 29.585
1318 237.657 242.891 16.633 5.448 114.856 77.952 .572 29.651
1319 243.097 263.174 16.624 5.401 115.579 78.468 .590 29.802
1320 248.519 283.339 16.614 5.387 115.951 78.960 .608 29.686
1321 253.921 303.370 16.604 5.359 116.619 79.430 .626 29.831
1322 259.304 323.264 16.595 5.339 117.189 79.878 .644 29.913
411 187.325 58.469 17.007 8.019 111.229 71.920 .416 31.221
401 193.924 83.993 16.997 6.900 111.328 72.867 .443 30.513
406 196.587 94.337 16.992 7.437 111.563 73.233 .452 30.399
413 203.953 123.025 16.978 7.970 112.216 74.202 .478 30.119
414 211.988 154.390 16.964 7.898 113.134 75.192 .507 30.033
415 219.901 185.282 16.950 7.850 113.769 76.104 .535 29.782
416 227.768 215.952 16.936 7.807 114.550 76.955 .562 29.698
417 235.598 246.397 16.922 7.735 115.435 77.751 .590 29.743
418 245.293 283.931 16.904 7.650 116.261 78.670 .623 29.635
419 252.926 313.338 16.890 7.598 117.007 79.345 .649 29.667
1801 178.581 37.972 18.086 3.069 112.484 70.571 .469 31.280
1802 181.649 51.836 18.080 3.085 112.625 71.057 .496 30.991
1803 186.224 72.545 18.068 6.089 112.813 71.756 .503 30.598
1804 192.299 100.083 18.056 6.060 113.438 72.639 .530 30.377
1805 198.354 127.540 18.044 6.039 113.922 73.471 .554 30.090
1806 204.379 154.828 18.032 6.010 114.564 74.256 .578 29.958
1807 210.370 181.915 18.019 5.964 115.132 74.998 .602 29.803
1808 216.641 210.187 18.006 5.923 115.821 75.735 .627 29.741
1809 222.620 237.053 17.994 5.886 116.615 76.404 .651 29.812
1810 228.488 263.318 17.982 5.854 117.179 77.031 .674 29.742
1811 234.304 289.242 17.970 5.825 117.723 77.623 .697 29.683
1812 240.990 318.901 17.955 5.797 118.614 78.271 .723 29.841
1709 172.603 40.302 19.500 6.087 114.035 69.577 0.596 30.637
1710 178.550 73.409 19.486 6.101 114.965 70.566 .608 30.586
1701 181.613 90.419 19.479 6.082 115.092 71.052 .636 30.306
1711 184.637 107.182 19.472 6.065 115.515 71.517 .650 30.262
1702 187.628 123.725 19.465 6.054 115.740 71.965 .663 30.094
1712 190.680 140.564 19.457 6.039 116.187 72.408 .676 30.082
1703 193.640 156.857 19.450 6.008 116.537 72.827 .690 30.021
1713 196.693 173.622 19.443 5.997 116.917 73.247 .704 29.980
1704 199.616 189.630 19.435 5.980 117.239 73.639 .717 29.918
1714 202.661 206.260 19.428 5.946 117.740 74.036 .731 29.976
1705 205.568 222.086 19.421 5.941 117.875 74.406 .745 29.798
1715 208.615 238.633 19.413 5.927 118.353 74.784 .759 29.854
1706 211.480 254.140 19.406 5.895 118.705 75.131 .772 29.844
1716 214.522 270.555 19.398 5.886 118.998 75.490 .787 29.783
1707 217.573 286.970 19.391 5.857 119.326 75.842 .801 29.752
1717 220.387 302.058 19.384 5.842 119.782 76.158 .814 29.837
1708 223.411 318.216 19.376 5.818 120.066 76.491 .829 29.789
807 161.140 39.441 21.313 5.723 116.134 67.478 .746 30.544
801 165.189 68.515 21.299 6.791 116.981 68.251 .772 30.565
808 166.828 80.226 21.296 5.647 117.232 68.554 .798 30.507
802 171.921 116.429 21.279 6.676 118.171 69.459 .833 30.495
809 172.488 120.439 21.279 5.633 118.018 69.557 .831 30.336
810 178.091 159.906 21.262 5.566 118.950 70.491 .859 30.307
803 178.582 163.345 21.258 6.640 118.980 70.571 .859 30.275
811 183.640 198.640 21.244 5.532 119.742 71.365 .890 30.224
804 185.182 209.346 21.238 6.587 119.938 71.600 .896 30.193
812 189.153 236.787 21.227 5.487 120.631 72.188 .921 30.236
805 191.734 254.532 21.218 6.521 120.927 72.559 .933 30.175
813 194.626 274.322 21.210 5.456 121.445 72.964 .953 30.229
806 198.229 298.849 21.197 6.467 121.824 73.454 .971 30.139
814 200.078 311.376 21.193 5.439 122.044 73.700 .985 30.109
2109 153.984 30.846 22.126 4.385 117.420 66.016 .818 31.040
2101 157.876 62.103 22.113 4.327 118.099 66.827 .845 30.931
2102 162.200 96.526 22.098 4.314 118.875 67.684 .927 30.800
2103 166.497 130.432 22.083 4.273 119.755 68.493 .940 30.832
2104 170.767 163.847 22.069 4.251 120.349 69.259 .951 30.716
2105 175.011 196.789 22.054 4.233 120.874 69.985 .976 30.567
2106 179.314 229.914 22.040 4.211 121.698 70.688 1.003 30.615
2107 183.514 261.982 22.025 4.186 122.103 71.346 1.029 30.432
2108 187.701 293.689 22.011 4.164 122.834 71.976 1.056 30.468
1406 148.828 44.459 22.933 6.789 118.758 64.875 0.899 31.314
1407 155.536 104.131 22.907 6.633 120.057 66.344 1.015 31.098
1402 155.969 107.942 22.906 6.629 120.154 66.435 1.017 31.100
1401 156.936 116.449 22.900 7.882 120.264 66.635 1.020 31.042
1408 162.130 161.805 22.883 6.560 121.193 67.671 1.042 30.958
1403 162.555 165.498 22.881 6.564 121.222 67.753 1.043 30.925
1409 168.648 217.963 22.858 6.496 122.400 68.883 1.075 30.923
1404 169.076 221.618 22.856 6.499 122.320 68.960 1.078 30.826
1410 175.122 272.905 22.834 6.458 123.385 70.003 1.120 30.798
1405 175.530 276.347 22.832 6.440 123.626 70.071 1.123 30.898
2001 139.073 45.399 24.008 4.195 119.866 62.486 0.988 31.796
2002 143.270 88.569 23.990 4.184 120.961 63.554 1.146 31.655
2003 147.448 130.924 23.972 4.155 121.919 64.557 1.165 31.612
2004 151.599 172.491 23.954 4.133 122.597 65.498 1.191 31.437
2005 155.908 215.104 23.935 4.091 123.742 66.422 1.205 31.550
2006 160.011 255.209 23.917 4.084 124.120 67.256 1.236 31.258
2007 164.072 294.445 23.900 4.052 124.977 68.042 1.268 31.267
901 130.508 34.766 24.785 2.255 121.056 60.095 1.097 32.662
909 131.693 48.379 24.772 5.484 121.045 60.443 1.106 32.454
904 132.694 59.842 24.767 5.557 121.433 60.734 1.136 32.479
902 134.136 76.278 24.761 4.991 121.346 61.144 1.174 32.166
910 137.159 110.410 24.746 5.421 122.150 61.977 1.245 32.080
903 139.337 134.756 24.735 5.473 122.514 62.555 1.258 31.949
911 142.547 170.300 24.720 5.356 123.309 63.375 1.283 31.911
906 143.713 183.112 24.715 5.439 123.701 63.663 1.287 31.964
912 147.886 228.554 24.695 5.336 124.401 64.659 1.303 31.785
907 149.124 241.915 24.689 5.389 124.607 64.943 1.313 31.732
913 153.185 285.371 24.670 5.287 125.563 65.844 1.348 31.728
908 154.473 299.029 24.664 5.310 126.059 66.120 1.359 31.839
1201 121.160 64.484 25.872 3.070 122.005 57.118 1.274 33.145
1202 124.223 104.694 25.855 3.048 122.909 58.138 1.400 32.958
1203 127.262 144.001 25.838 3.035 123.532 59.107 1.420 32.757
1204 130.274 182,414 25.822 3.013 124.390 60.025 1.455 32.691
1101 110.867 44.963 26.655 5.194 121.731 53.349 1.309 33.910
1106 111.917 60.514 26.649 5.165 121.991 53.758 1.354 33.789
1103 111.855 59.603 26.649 5.215 121.835 53.734 1.351 33.724
1102 116.030 120.523 26.624 5.136 123.377 55.306 1.503 33.557
1107 117.051 135.181 26.618 5.109 123.607 55.677 1.510 33.478
1104 122.089 206.386 26.588 5.057 125.308 57.432 1.546 33.415
1108 122.094 206.453 26.588 5.051 125.107 57.434 1.546 33.311
1109 127.100 275.451 26.559 4.981 126.527 59.056 1.574 33.180
1105 127.123 275.769 26.558 5.028 126.592 59.064 1.574 33.210
1004 102.424 48.414 27.388 5.069 121.472 49.858 1.475 34.428
1001 105.029 90.948 27.371 5.078 122.552 50.974 1.619 34.267
1005 107.466 129.912 27.355 5.035 123.275 51.986 1.613 34.129
1002 110.058 170.735 27.338 4.981 124.205 53.030 1.637 34.049
1006 112.446 207.806 27.322 4.941 125.126 53.962 1.646 34.035
1003 115.142 249.013 27.305 4.914 126.082 54.979 1.652 33.999
1007 117.361 282.491 27.290 4.903 126.695 55.789 1.673 33.879
1912 92.592 40.274 28.164 3.061 120.491 45.311 1.351 35.326
1901 92.609 40.540 28.164 2.871 120.603 45.319 1.313 35.415
1907 93.793 62.384 28.155 2.873 121.008 45.899 1.458 35.186
1902 95.465 92.859 28.143 2.842 122.072 46.701 1.769 35.003
1913 95.634 95.885 28.141 3.022 122.178 46.780 1.765 35.020
1908 96.675 114.525 28.134 2.824 122.424 47.269 1.769 34.898
1903 98.301 143.313 28.122 2.807 123.144 48.020 1.740 34.913
1909 99.505 164.435 28.114 2.821 123.531 48.566 1.745 34.830
1904 101.123 192.506 28.102 2.793 124.316 49.288 1.768 34.839
1910 102.319 213.085 28.093 2.791 124.573 49.812 1.767 34.710
1905 103.902 240.032 28.082 2.749 125.401 50.495 1.755 34.793
1911 105.104 260.314 28.074 2.766 125.538 51.005 1.766 34.600
1906 106.655 286.252 28.063 2.751 126.307 51.653 1.781 34.644
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Figure 4 shows CV at saturation. The circles are values extrapolated from the CV data and the triangles are computed from Cσ data by adding the term T(∂P∂T)vdVdT. These derivatives, evaluated analytically from a representation of the PVT surface [2], introduce the scatter and the lowering of the values from the extrapolated values which have essentially the same accuracy as the measured CV values.

Figure 4. Cv of liquid methane evaluated at the liquid-gas boundary.

Figure 4.

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Extrapolation of Cv(○), calculation from Cσ using PVT surface (△).

Comparison was made with the Cp data of Jones et al. [17] on their 2000 lb/in2 (136.7 bar) by interpolation of the CV data and adding the PVT contribution. Figure 5 shows the close agreement of the two sets of data. The other curve is calculated from spectroscopic heat capacities together with the PVT term above critical temperature, (Tc). Below the critical temperature, latent heats must also be used. The discontinuity is, of course, at Tc.

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

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Comparison of methane Cp from Jones, et al. (–○–); to Cp calculated from Cv data, this work (△), and to Cp calculated from PVT data (—).

Comparison of CV methane extrapolated to saturation to several other liquids: F2 [8], O2[6], Kr [13], Ar [14], and Ne [15] is shown if figure 6. The density is reduced by the critical density. The spectroscopic heat capacity, Cv0 is subtracted in each case. Molar specific heats are independent of reducing parameters [16]. All of the data except that for Ne correlate quite well. Presumably this departure of Ne is a result of its being more of a quantum fluid. H2 and He also depart markedly from this grouping as shown by Diller [16].

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

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Reduced specific heats versus reduced density for CH4 (●), F2, (♢), O2 (Δ), Kr (□), Ar (○), and Ne (▽).

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the support of the American Gas Association. R. D. Goodwin’s data of the PVT of methane were essential and his computer programs calculating the various functions and derivatives were of great help. I thank D. E. Diller for his numerous contributions. The data shown in figure 6 are from his work.

This work was carried out at the National Bureau of Standards under the sponsorship of The American Gas Association.

Footnotes

1

Figures in brackets indicate the literature references at the end of this paper.

5. References

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