SECTION 23

Physical Properties
This section contains a number of charts, correlations, and
calculation procedures to be used for predicting physical prop-
erties of hydrocarbons and components found with them.
Fig. 23-1 shows the nomenclature used in this section.
Fig. 23-2 is a table containing frequently used physical prop-
erties for a number of hydrocarbons and other selected com-
ponents. Immediately following is a detailed list of references
and footnoted explanation for the values in Fig. 23-2.
Physical properties for eighteen selected compounds can be
found in GPA Standard 2145, "Table of Physical Constants of
Paraffin Hydrocarbons and Other Components of Natural
Gas."

FIG. 23-1
Nomenclature

B = second virial coefficient for a gas mixture, W = mass, kg

[kPa (abs)]-1 WABP = weight average boiling point, °C
B′ = mole fraction H2S in sour gas stream, Eq 23-6 yi = mole fraction of component i from analysis on dry
Bii = second virial coefficient for component i basis, Eq 23-37
Bij = second cross virial coefficient for components i x = mole fraction in liquid phase
and j ywi = mole fraction of component i adjusted for water
bi1/2 = summation factor for component i content
CABP = cubic average boiling point, °C y = mole fraction in gas phase
d = density, g/cc Z = compressibility factor
G = relative density (gas density) Greek
Gi = relative density (gas gravity) of ideal gas, MW/MWa ε = pseudocritical temperature adjustment factor,
Gid
i = molecular mass ratio of component i in mixture Eq 23-6
Hv = gross heating value per unit volume of ideal gas, θ = MeABP/Tpc
MJ/m3 ρ = density, kg/m3
Kw = Watson characterization factor, Fig. 23-12 µ = viscosity at operating temperature and pressure,
k = thermal conductivity, W/(m • °C) centipoise
ka = thermal conductivity at one atmosphere, W/(m • °C) µA = viscosity at 101.325 kPa (abs) (1 atm) and operating
M = mass fraction temperature, centipoise
m = mass, kg ξ = factor defined by Eq 23-20
MW = molecular mass, g mole σ = surface tension, dynes/cm
MABP = molal average boiling point, °C or K ω = acentric factor
MeABP = Mean average boiling point, °C or K η = kinematic viscosity, centistokes
n = number of moles (mass/mole weight) Subscripts
P = pressure, kPa (abs) a = air
Pc′ = pseudocritical pressure adjusted for acid gas b = boiling
composition, kPa (abs) c = critical
Pvp = vapor pressure at a reduced temperature of 0.7 i = component i
Pwo = vapor pressure of water, 7.3811 kPa (abs) at 40°C L = liquid
R = gas constant, 8.3145 [kPa (abs) • m3]/(K • kg mole) m = mixture
for all gases (see Section 1 for R in other units) pc = pseudocritical
S = relative density at 15°/15°C r = reduced state
T = absolute temperature, K V = vapor
t = ASTM D-86 distillation temperature, °C or K, v = volume
Eq 23-11 w = water
Tc′ = pseudocritical temperature adjusted for acid gas Superscripts
composition, K id = ideal gas
V = volume, m3 w = water
VABP = volumetric average boiling point, °C o = reference state

23-1
 FIG. 23-2
Physical Constants
NOTE: Numbers in this table do not have accuracies greater
than 1 part in 1000; in some cases extra digits have been added
to calculated values to achieve internal consistency or to permit
recalculation of experimental values. PHYSICAL CONSTANTS *See the Table of Notes and References
See Note No. A. B. C. D.
Critical constants

(Molecular weight)

101.3250 kPa(abs)

101.3250 kPa(abs)
Freezing point,˚C

Refractive index,
Boiling Point, åC

Vapor pressure,

Temperature, K
kPa(abs), 40˚C

Volume, m3/kg
Molar mass
Compound

Pressure,
kPa(abs)
Formula
Number

Number
nD 15˚C
1 Methane C H4 16.043 -161.51 (35000)* -182.45* 1.00040* 4599. 190.56 0.00617 1
2 Ethane C2 H 6 30.070 -88.59 (6000)* -182.79* 1.21403* 4880. 305.41 0.00489 2
3 Propane C3 H 8 44.097 -42.07 1369.8 -187.62" 1.29558* 4240. 369.77 0.00454 3
4 lsobutane C4 H 10 58.123 -11.79 530.89 -159.59 1.3251* 3640. 407.82 0.00446 4
5 n-Butane C4 H 10 58.123 -0.51 379.61 -138.35 1.33631* 3784. 425.10 0.00439 5
6 Isopentane C5 H 12 72.150 27.83 151.31 -159.89 1.35658 3381. 460.35 0.00427 6
7 n-Pentane C5 H 12 72.150 36.05 114.70 -129.71 1.36024 3365. 469.65 0.00434 7
8 Neopentane C5 H 12 72.150 9.50 270.0 -16.58 1.345* 3199. 433.71 0.00420 8
9 n-Hexane C6 H 14 86.177 68.72 37.297 -95.31 1.37746 3030. 506.4 0.00429 9
10 2-Methylpentane C6 H 14 86.177 60.24 50.68 -153.67 1.37417 3010. 497.46 0.00426 10
11 3-Methylpentane C6 H 14 86.177 63.26 45.73 -162.89 1.37918 3120. 504.4 0.00426 11
12 Neohexane C6 H 14 86.177 49.72 73.41 -99.825 1.37157 3080. 488.66 0.00417 12
13 2,3-Dimethylbutane C6 H 14 86.177 57.96 55.34 -128.53 1.37759 3130. 499.86 0.00415 13
14 n-Heptane C 7 H 16 100.204 98.37 12.342 -90.55 1.39017 2740. 539.2 0.00426 14
15 2-Methylhexane C 7 H 16 100.204 90.03 17.226 -118.26 1.38743 2730. 530.06 0.00420 15
16 3-Methylhexane C 7 H 16 100.204 91.85 16.155 — 1.39119 2810. 535.16 0.00403 16
17 3-Ethylpentane C 7 H 16 100.204 93.47 15.265 -118.58 1.39594 2890. 540.46 0.00415 17
18 2,2-Dimethylpentane C 7 H 16 100.204 79.17 26.32 -123.78 1.38475 2770. 520.36 0.00415 18
19 2,4-Dimethylpentane C 7 H 16 100.204 80.47 24.85 -119.21 1.38408 2740. 519.66 0.00417 19
20 3,3-Dimethylpentane C 7 H 16 100.204 86.04 20.94 -134.44 1.39342 2950. 536.26 0.00413 20
21 Triptane C 7 H 16 100.204 80.86 25.41 -24.56 1.39196 2950. 531.06 0.00397 21
22 n-Octane C8 H 18 114.231 125.65 4.146 -56.76 1.39981 2490. 568.4 0.00420 22
23 Diisobutyl C8 H 18 114.231 109.08 8.417 -91.160 1.39488 2490. 549.96 0.00422 23
24 Isooctane C8 H 18 114.231 99.21 12.966 -107.35 1.39392 2570. 543.86 0.00410 24
25 n-Nonane C9 H 20 128.258 150.78 1.358 -53.48 1.40773 2280. 594.7 0.00433 25
26 n-Decane C10 H 22 142.285 174.11 0.4814 -29.63 1.41411 2100. 617.7 0.00439 26
27 Cyclopentane C5 H 10 70.134 49.22 73.99 -93.827 1.40927 4508. 511.6 0.00371 27
28 Methylcyclopentane C6 H 12 84.161 71.83 33.75 -142.43 1.41240 3784. 532.75 0.00379 28
29 Cyclohexane C6 H 12 84.161 80.78 24.64 6.550 1.42892 4073. 553.5 0.00366 29
30 Methylcyclohexane C7 H 14 98.188 100.94 12.211 -126.59 1.42566 3471. 572.15 0.00375 30
31 Ethene(Ethylene) C2 H4 28.054 -103.73 (9700) -169.15* (1.241)* 5040. 282.34 0.00466 31
32 Propene(Propylene) C3 H6 42.081 -47.68 1691. -185.25* 1.313* 4665. 365.55 0.00448 32
33 1-Butene(Butylene) C4 H8 56.108 -6.23 459.0 -185.35* 1.351* 4043. 419.92 0.00426 33
34 cis-2-Butene C4 H8 56.108 3.72 338.3 -138.90 1.368* 4243. 435.54 0.00417 34
35 trans-2-Butene C4 H8 56.108 0.88 366.5 -105.54 1.359* 3964. 428.59 0.00424 35
36 Isobutene C4 H8 56.108 -6.91 477.4 -140.34 1.358* 4000. 417.86 0.00425 36
37 1-Pentene C5 H 10 70.134 29.95 141.65 -165.21 1.3746 3513. 464.74 0.00421 37
38 1,2-Butadiene C4 H6 54.092 10.84 269. -136.19 — (4502) (444)* (0.0043)* 38
39 1,3-Butadiene C4 H6 54.092 -4.41 436.1 -108.89 — 4277. 425. 0.00407 39
40 Isoprene C5 H8 68.119 34.05 123.8 -145.95 1.4253 (3856) (484) (0.0041)* 40
C2 H2 —
41 Acetylene 26.038 -84.01* — -80.8" 6139. 308.31 0.00432 41
42 Benzene C6 H6 78.114 80.07 24.38 5.532 1.5043 4898. 562.12 0.00332
C7 H8 42
43 Toluene 92.141 110.60 7.895 -94.98 1.49960 4106. 591.76 0.00343 43
44 Ethylbenzene C8 H10 106.167 136.17 2.873 -94.963 1.49856 3606. 617.16 0.00352 44
45 o-Xylene C8 H10 106.167 144.39 2.051 -25.18 1.50795 3734. 630.29 0.00348 45
46 m-Xylene C8 H10 106.167 139.09 2.528 -47.86 1.49980 3536. 617.01 0.00354 46
47 p-Xlyene C8 H10 106.167 138.32 2.648 13.26 1.49839 3511. 616.19 0.00357 47
48 Styrene C8 H8 104.152 145.23 2.00 30.63 1.5496 4050. (646)* 0.00333 48
49 Isopropylbenzene C9 H 12 120.194 152.38 1.47 -96.021 1.49400 3209. 631.1 0.00355 49
50 Methyl alcohol CH4 O 32.042 64.67 35.44 -97.65 1.33028 8097. 512.60 0.00368 50
51 Ethyl alcohol C 2 H6 O 46.069 78.26 17.903 -114.1 1.36345 6148. 513.88 0.00362 51
52 Carbon monoxide CO 28.010 -191.45 — -204.99* 1.00036* 3494. 132.86 0.00329 52
53 Carbon dioxide CO2 44.010 -78.464* — -56.56* 1.00049* 7374. 304.11 0.00214 53
54 Hydrogen sulfide H2 S 34.082 -60.266 2859.7 -85.48* 1.00061* 8963. 373.37 0.00288 54
55 Sulfur dioxide SO2 64.065 -9.94 630.2 -75.47* 1.00062* 7884. 430.8 0.00190 55
56 Ammonia NH3 17.0305 -33.32 1555. -77.69* 1.00036* 11350. 405.5 0.00425 56
57 Air N 2 + O2 28.9625 -194.34 — — 1.00028* 3771. 132.43 0.00323 57
58 Hydrogen H2 2.0159 -252.850* — -259.347* 1.00013* 1293. 33.0 0.03185* 58
59 Oxygen O2 31.9986 -182.954* — -218.792* 1.00027* 5043. 154.59 0.00229 59
60 Nitrogen N2 28.0134 -195.798 — -209.997* 1.00028* 3398. 126.21 0.00318 60
61 Chlorine Cl 2 70.9054 -33.95 1146. -100.95 1.3878* 7977. 416.86 0.00175 61
62 Water H2O 18.0153 99.974* 7.3849 0.000 1.33347 22064. 647.10 0.003102 62
63 Helium He 4.0026 -268.95 — — 1.00003* 227.5 5.20 0.01436 63
64 Hydrogen chloride HCl 36.461 -85.14 6547. -114.17* 1.00042 8310. 324.68 0.00222 64
5/99

23-2 Revised (5-99)

FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Physical Constants

23-3
FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Physical Constants

23-4
 FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Notes and References for the Table of Physical Constants

23-5
 FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Notes and References for the Table of Physical Constants

23-6
 FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Notes and References for the Table of Physical Constants

23-7
 FIG. 23-2 (Cont’d)
Notes for the Table of Physical Constants

a. Values in parentheses are estimated values. p. An extrapolated value.

b. The temperature is above the critical point. q. Gas at 15°C and the liquid at the normal boiling point.
c. At saturation pressure (triple point). r. Fixed points on the 1968 International Practical Temperature
d. Sublimation point. Scale (IPTS-68).
e. The + sign and number following specify the number of cm3 of s. Fixed points on the 1990 International Temperature Scale
TEL added per gallon to achieve the ASTM octane number of (ITS-90).
100, which corresponds to that of Isooctane (2,2,4-
Trimethylpentane). t. Densities at the normal boiling point are: Ethane, 554.0 [29];
Propane, 581.0 [28]; Propene, 609.1 [5]; Hydrogen Chloride,
f. These compounds form a glass.
1192 [43]; Hydrogen Sulfide, 949.0 [25]; Ammonia, 681.6 [43];
g. Average value from octane numbers of more than one sample. Sulfur Dioxide, 1462 [43].
h. Saturation pressure and 15°C.
u. Technically, water has a heating value in two cases: net
i. Index of refraction of the gas. ((2.466 MJ/kg) when water is liquid in the reactants, and gross
j. Densities of the liquid at the normal boiling point. (+1.879 MJ/m3) when water is gas in the reactants. The value
k. Heat of sublimation. is the ideal heat of vaporization (enthalpy of the ideal gas less
m. Equation 2 of the reference was refitted to give: the enthalpy of the saturated liquid at the vapor pressure).
a = 0.7872957; b = 0.1294083; c = 0.03439519. This is a matter of definition; water does not burn.
n. Normal hydrogen (25% para, 75% ortho). v. Extreme values of those reported by reference 19.

A. Molar mass (molecular mass) is based upon the following
atomic weights: C = 12.011; H = 1.00794; O = 15.9994; N =
14.0067; S = 32.066; Cl = 35.4527. The values were rounded
off after calculating the molar mass using all significant figures
in the atomic weights.
B. Boiling point: the temperature at equilibrium between the liq-
uid and vapor phases at 101.3250 kPa.
C. Freezing point: the temperature at equilibrium between the crys-
talline phase and the air saturated liquid at 101.3250 kPa.
D. The refractive index reported refers to the liquid or gas and is
measured for light of wavelength corresponding to the sodium
D-line (589.26 nm).
E. The relative density: ρ(liquid, 15°C)/ρ(water, 15°C). The den-
sity of water at 15°C is 999.10 kg/m3.
F. The temperature coefficient of density is related to the expan-
sion coefficient by: (∂ρ/∂T)P/ρ = –(∂ρV/∂T)P/V, in units of 1/T.
G. Pitzer acentric factor: ω = –log10(P/Pc) –1, P at T = 0.7 Tc
H. Compressibility factor of the real gas, Z = PV/RT, is calculated
using the second virial coefficient.
I. The density of an ideal gas relative to air is calculated by di-
viding the molar mass of the of the gas by 28.9625, the calcu-
lated average molar mass of air. See ref. 34 for the average
composition of dry air. The specific volume of an ideal gas is
calculated from the ideal gas equation. The volume ratio is:
V(ideal gas)/V(liquid in vacuum).
J. The liquid value is not rigorously CP, but rather it is the heat
capacity along the saturation line CS defined by: CS = CP – T
(∂V/∂T)P(∂P/∂T)S. For liquids far from the critical point, CS ≈
CP.
K. The heating value is the negative of the enthalpy of combustion
at 15°C and 101.3250 kPa (abs.) in an ideal reaction (one where
all gasses are ideal gasses). For an arbitrary organic com-
pound, the combustion reaction is:
CnHmOhSjNk (s,l,or,g) + (n + m/4 – h/2 + j) O2(g) →
n CO2(g) + m/2 H2O (g or l) + k/2 N2(g) + j SO2(g),
where s, l and g denote respectively solid, liquid and ideal gas.
For gross heating values, the water formed is liquid; for net
heating values, the water formed is ideal gas. Values reported
are on a dry basis. To account for water in the heating value,
see GPA 2172. The MJ/kg liquid column assumes a reaction
with the fuel in the liquid state, while the MJ/m3 ideal gas
column assumes the gas in the ideal gas state. Therefore, the
values are not consistent if used in the same calculation, e.g. a
gas plant balance.
L. The heat of vaporization is the enthalpy of the saturated vapor
at the boiling point at 101.3250 kPa minus the enthalpy of the
saturated liquid at the same conditions.
M. Air required for the combustion of ideal gas for compounds of
formula CnHmOhSjNk is:
V(air)/V(gas) = (n + m/4 - h/2 + j)/0.20946.

COMMENTS

Units: reported values are in SI units based on the following: 1.987216 calth/(K• mol)
mass: kilogram, kg 1.985887 Btu(I.T.)/(R(lb•mol)
length: meter, m Conversion factors:
temperature: International Temperature of 1990 1 m3 = 35.31467 ft3 = 264.1721 gal.(U.S.)
(ITS-90), where 0°C = 273.15 K. 1 kg = 2.204623 lbm
Other derived units are:
1 kg/m3 = 0.06242795 lbm/ft3 =0.001 g/cm3
volume: cubic meter, m3
pressure: Pascal, Pa (1 Pa = N/m2) 1 kPa = 0.01 bar = 0.009869233 atm = 0.1450377 psia
energy: Joule, J 1 atm = 101.3250 kPa = 14.69595 psia = 760 Torr
Gas constant, R: 1 kJ = 0.2390057 kcalth = 0.2388459 kcal (I.T.)
8.314510 J/(K• mol) = 0.9478172 Btu (I.T.)
0.008314510 m3(kPa/(K•mol)

23-8 Revised (5-99)