APPNA.

qxd 7/29/06 10:53 AM Page 499

APPENDIX A

PROPERTIES OF COMMON GASES

A Practical Guide to Compressor Technology, Second Edition, By Heinz P. Bloch

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

499
 APPNA.qxd

500
7/29/06
10:53 AM
Page 500

FIGURE A.1 Vapor pressure curves for common pure gases.

 APPNA.qxd

TABLE A.1 Properties of Hydrocarbon and Special Refrigerant Vapors

7/29/06

Values at 14.696 psia

and 60°F Molar
Specific Heat at Constant Heat at Critical
Alter- Boiling Specific Pressure at 14.696 psia Ratio of Specific Heats K ⫽ Cp /Cv Capacity at Conditions
Chem- nate Molec- Point Gravity Specific (Btu/lb-°F) at 14.696 psia 150°F and
10:53 AM

ical Desig- ular at 14.696 (Air Density Volume 14.696 psia Temper- Pressure
Gas Formula nation Weight psia (°F) ⫽1.00) (lb/ft3) (ft3/lb) ⫺40°F 60°F 150°F 300°F ⫺40°F 60°F 150°F 300°F (Btu/°F-mol) ature (°R) (psia)

Methane CH4 C1 16.04 ⫺259 0.555 0.0424 23.61 0.506 0.527 0.558 0.624 1.33 1.31 1.29 1.25 8.95 344 673
Acetylene C2H2 — 26.04 ⫺119 0.899a 0.0686a 14.58a 0.353 0.397 0.427 0.469 1.31 1.26 1.24 1.21 11.12 557 905
Ethylene C2H4 Ethene 28.05 ⫺155 0.969a 0.0739a 13.53a 0.312 0.362 0.406 0.478 1.29 1.24 1.21 1.17 11.39 510 742
Page 501

Ethane C2H6 C2 30.07 ⫺128 1.047 0.0799 12.52 0.365 0.410 0.458 0.543 1.22 1.19 1.17 1.14 13.77 550 708
Propylene C3H6 Propene 42.08 ⫺54 1.453a 0.1109a 9.021a 0.303 0.354 0.399 0.473 1.18 1.15 1.14 1.11 16.79 657 667
Propane C3H8 C3 44.09 ⫺44 1.547 0.1180 8.471 0.333 0.389 0.443 0.534 1.16 1.13 1.11 1.09 19.53 666 617
Butadiene 1, 2 C4H6 — 54.09 ⫹51 1.867a 0.1425a 7.018a — 0.346 0.387 0.451 — 1.12 1.11 1.09 20.93 799 653
Butadiene 1, 3 C4H6 — 54.09 ⫹24 1.867a 0.1425a 7.018a — 0.341 0.392 0.468 — 1.12 1.10 1.09 21.26 766 628
Isobutylene C4H8 — 56.10 ⫹20 1.937a 0.1478a 6.766a — 0.370 0.419 0.493 — 1.11 1.09 1.08 23.51 753 580
Butylene C4H8 1-Butene 56.10 ⫹21 1.937a 0.1478a 6.766a — 0.355 0.406 0.484 — 1.11 1.10 1.08 22.78 756 583
Isobutane C4H10 i-C4 58.12 ⫹11 2.068 0.1578 6.339 — 0.387 0.443 0.535 — 1.10 1.08 1.07 25.75 735 529
n-Butane C4H10 n-C4 58.12 ⫹31 2.071 0.1581 6.327 — 0.391 0.444 0.532 — 1.10 1.08 1.07 25.81 766 551
Isopentane C5H12 i-C5 72.15 ⫹82 2.491a 0.190a 5.262a — 0.401b 0.439 0.529 — 1.07b 1.07 1.06 31.67 830 483
n-Pentane C5H12 n-C5 72.15 ⫹97 2.491a 0.190a 5.262a — 0.410b 0.441 0.528 — 1.07b 1.07 1.06 31.82 846 489
Benzene C6H6 — 78.11 ⫹176 2.697a 0.206a 4.860a — 0.301b — 0.360 — 1.09b — 1.08 23.51 1012 714
n-Hexane C6H14 n-C6 86.17 ⫹156 2.975a 0.227a 4.406a — 0.443b — 0.526 — 1.06b — 1.05 38.17 915 440
n-Heptane C7H16 n-C7 100.20 ⫹209 3.459a 0.264a 3.789a — 0.474b — 0.525 — 1.04b — 1.04 47.49 973 397
n-Octane C8H18 n-C8 114.22 ⫹258 3.943a 0.301a 3.324a — 0.449b — 0.524 — 1.04b — 1.03 57.00 1025 362
Refrigerant 11c CCl3F — 137.38 ⫹75 4.78b 0.365b 2.739b — 0.134b 0.141 0.156 — 1.14b 1.13 1.10 19.37 848 635
Refrigerant 12c CCl2F2 — 120.92 ⫺22 4.27 0.326 3.067 — 0.145d — — — 1.14d — — 17.53d 694 597
Refrigerant 13c CClF3 — 104.47 ⫺115 3.62 0.276 3.624 0.133 0.150 0.164 0.183 1.17 1.15 1.13 1.12 17.13 544 561
Refrigerant 21c CHCl2F — 102.93 ⫹48 3.63 0.277 3.608 — 0.136 0.148 0.169 — 1.18 1.16 1.13 15.23 813 750
Refrigerant 22c CHClF2 — 86.48 ⫺41 3.05 0.233 4.299 — 0.149 0.161 0.182 — 1.20 1.17 1.14 13.92 665 716
Refrigerant 113c C2Cl3F3 — 187.39 ⫹118 6.04b 0.461b 2.169b — 0.159b 0.162 0.179 — 1.08b 1.08 1.07 30.36 877 495
Refrigerant 114c C2Cl2F4 — 170.93 ⫹38 6.08 0.464 2.155 — 0.157 0.168 0.188 — 1.09 1.08 1.07 28.72 754 474

a
At a perfect gas; b At the boiling point; c This group of refrigerants is known by trade names such as Freon and, Genetron; d At 86°F.
 APPNA.qxd

TABLE A.2 Properties of Miscellaneous Gases

Values at 14.696 psia
Molar
7/29/06

and 60°F
Specific Heat at Constant Heat at Critical
Alter- Boiling Specific Pressure at 14.696 psia Ratio of Specific Heats K ⫽ Cp/Cv Capacity at Conditions
Chem- nate Molec- Point Gravity Specific (Btu/lb-°F) at 14.696 psia 150°F and
ical Desig- ular at 14.696 (Air Density Volume 14.696 psia Temper- Pressure
Gas Formula nation Weight psia (°F) ⫽1.00) (lb/ft3) (ft3/lb) ⫺40°F 60°F 150°F 300°F ⫺40°F 60°F 150°F 300°F (Btu/°F-mol) ature (°R) (psia)
10:53 AM

Air (dry)a — — 28.97 ⫺318 1.000 0.0763 13.106 0.240 0.240 0.241 0.243 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.39 6.98 239 547
Ammonia NH3 — 17.03 ⫺28 0.594 0.0454 22.05 — 0.506 0.525 0.556 — 1.30 1.30 1.27 8.94 730 1639
Argon Ar — 39.94 ⫺303 1.380 0.1053 9.497 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.124 1.67 1.67 1.67 1.67 4.99 272 705
Carbon dioxide CO2 — 44.01 ⫺109 1.528 0.1166 8.576 0.189 0.201 0.213 0.254 1.34 1.30 1.28 1.25 9.37 548 1073
Carbon monoxide CO — 28.01 ⫺312 0.967 0.0738 13.55 0.249 0.248 0.249 0.252 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 6.97 242 507
Page 502

Chlorine Cl2 — 70.91 ⫺30 2.48 0.1886 5.30 — 0.115 — — — 1.35 — — 8.15b 751 1119
Ethylene oxide CH2CH2O — 44.05 ⫹51 1.52 0.116 8.62 0.225c 0.264c 0.302c 0.355c 1.25c 1.21c 1.19c 1.15c 14.10 844 1043
Helium He — 4.003 ⫺451 0.138 0.01054 94.91 — — 1.248d — — — 1.66d — 5.00 24e 151e
Hydrogen H2 — 2.016 ⫺423 0.0696 0.00531 188.32 3.324 3.409 3.442 3.462 1.42 1.41 1.40 1.40 6.94 83e 327e
Hydrogen HCl — 36.47 ⫺121 1.271 0.0970 10.31 — 0.194 — — — 1.41 — — 7.08b 585 1200
chloride
Hydrogen sulfide H2S — 34.08 ⫺79 1.175 0.0897 11.15 0.233 0.238 0.243 0.251 1.34 1.33 1.32 1.30 8.28 673 1306
Methyl chloride CH3Cl — 50.49 ⫺11 1.777 0.1356 7.372 — 0.199f — — — 1.29f — — 10.05f 749 969
Neon Ne — 20.19 ⫺411 0.697 0.0532 18.81 0.246 0.246 0.246 — 1.66 1.66 1.66 — 4.97 80 385
Nitric oxide NO — 30.01 ⫺240 1.038 0.0792 12.62 0.239 0.238 0.238 0.239 1.38 1.39 1.39 1.38 7.14 323 956
Nitrogen N2 — 28.02 ⫺320 0.967 0.0738 13.55 0.249 0.249 0.249 0.250 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.40 6.98 227 492
Nitrous oxide N2O — 44.02 ⫺127 1.531 0.1168 8.56 — 0.21 — — — 1.30 — — 9.24b 558 1054
Oxygen O2 — 32.00 ⫺297 1.105 0.0843 11.86 0.218 0.219 0.221 0.226 1.40 1.40 1.39 1.38 7.07 278 732
Phosgene COCl2 — 98.92 ⫹46 3.41 0.262 3.82 0.123 0.136 0.146 0.158 1.19 1.17 1.16 1.14 14.44 820 823
Sulfur dioxide SO2 — 64.06 ⫹14 2.254 0.1720 5.814 — 0.147 — — — 1.25 — — 9.42b 775 1142
Toluene CH3C6H5 — 92.13 ⫹231 3.181g 0.243g 4.121g — 0.346h — 0.379 — 1.07h — 1.06 31.87 1069 611
Water vapor H2O Steam 18.02 ⫹212 0.632h 0.0373h 26.80h — 0.496h — 0.55i — 1.32h — 1.31i 8.94 1165 3187

a
Normal atmospheric air contains some moisture. For convenience it is common to consider that, at 68°F and 14.696 psia, the air is at 36 percent relative humidity, weighs 0.075 lb/ft3, and has a k value of 1.395. (Based on ASME Test Code for
Displacement Compressors.); b At 60°F; c Within ⫾5%; d An average for 0–300°F.
e
These are effective values to be used only for generalized compressibility charts and gas mixtures. Actual values are:

Tc (°R) pc (psia)

Helium 9.7 33.2

Hydrogen 59.7 188

f
At 77°F; g As a perfect gas; h At the boiling point; i Approximate average for 212–600°F and 14.7–200 psia.
APPNA.qxd 7/29/06 10:53 AM Page 503

PROPERTIES OF COMMON GASES 503

The generalized charts (Figs. A.2 through A.5) are redrawn by permission from those
developed by L. C. Nelson and E. F. Obert and presented at the 1953 Annual ASME meet-
ing. They were published in Chemical Engineering in July 1954, from which article
Dresser-Rand (formerly Ingersoll-Rand) replotted these curves.
Four charts, based on a study of experimental data on 30 gases, have been prepared to
cover a wide range of values. Although steam (H2O) and ammonia (NH3) were considered,
they do not coordinate well, and since excellent tables and charts of their properties are
available, their specific rather than generalized data should be used at all times. Hydrogen
and helium also cannot be correlated well with these charts, particularly below Tr ⫽ 2.5,
unless effective or pseudocritical conditions are used in place of the actual critical condi-
tions. Effective conditions are given below—for use only with generalized charts. These
are as developed in 1960 by John M. Lenior, University of Southern California, Los
Angeles, in the case of hydrogen and by E. F. Obert in his 1953 paper in the case of helium.

A.1 EFFECTIVE CRITICAL CONDITIONS

Helium Tc ⫽ 24°R pc ⫽151 psia

Hydrogen Tc ⫽ 83°R pc ⫽327 psia

Note, however that three of these noncomformist gases have been included among the
more accurate specific gas compressibility curves and one should always use the latter
when suitable.
The four generalized charts cover the following ranges of reduced pressure and reduced
temperature. The maximum indicated deviation from experimental data is also shown.

Chart Range pr Range Tr Max. Error (%)

1 0–0.65 0.7–5.0 1.0
2 0–6.5 1.0–15.0 2.5
3 6–12.5 1.0–15.0 2.5
4 10–42.5 1.0–15.0 5

A.2 OUTLINE OF PROCEDURE

1. Calculate pseudocritical temperature and pressure for a given gas mixture using the
method outlined later in the text (see “Gas Mixtures”). If working with a pure gas
rather than a mixture look up the critical temperature and pressure in Table A.1 or A.2.
2. If interested in compressibility at discharge conditions, estimate the discharge tem-
perature T2 from the following formula for adiabatic compression:
T2 ⫽ T1r (k⫺1)/k
3. Calculate the reduced temperature and pressure for the conditions in question using
Eqs. (1.19) and (1.20).
4. Read the compressibility factor Z from the applicable generalized chart on the fol-
lowing pages.
5. Use this compressibility factor in the proper formula to determine volume or horse-
power.
APPNA.qxd 7/29/06 10:53 AM Page 504

504 APPENDIX A

Example A.1 Find the compressibility factors at inlet and discharge conditions for the
following gas mixture when compressed from 315 psia and 100°F to 965 psia.

Gas component H2 N2 CO2 CO

Mol % 61.4 19.7 17.5 1.4

Step 1: See Section 1.19.

Pseudocritical temperature ⫽195°R

Pseudocritical pressure ⫽493 psia

Step 2: Calculate the theoretical discharge temperature.

r ⫽ 965/315 ⫽ 3.06
k ⫽ 1.37 (see Section 1.18)
Theoretical discharge temperature, T2 ⫽758°R (298°F)

Step 3:

Inlet Discharge
Pressure, psia 315 965
Temperature, °R 560 758
Reduced pressure 0.64 1.96
Reduced temperature 2.87 3.88
Compressibility (from Fig. A.3) 1.002 1.025

FIGURE A.2 Generalized compressibility chart for low values of reduced pressure.
APPNA.qxd 7/29/06 10:54 AM Page 505

PROPERTIES OF COMMON GASES 505

FIGURE A.3 Generalized compressibility charts for medium values of reduced pressure.

FIGURE A.4 Generalized compressibility chart for moderately high values of reduced pressure.
APPNA.qxd 7/29/06 10:54 AM Page 506

506 APPENDIX A

FIGURE A.5 Generalized compressibility chart for very high values of reduced pressure.