Rapid thermogravimetric measurements of boiling points and vapor pressure of saturated medium- and long-chain triglycerides

In developing compositional models for biomass-based diesel fuel extenders, volatility properties of medium- and long-chain saturated triglycerides are essential to predict the impact of low levels of these compounds in mixtures with short-chain triglycerides. A thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) method for rapid measurement of boiling points and vapor pressure was used to obtain data for four pure medium- and long-chain triglycerides. Normal boiling points at 1 atm and the temperature dependence of vapor pressure from 760 mm down to 25 mm Hg were obtained for trilaurin (C12:0), trimyristin (C14:0), tripalmitin (C16:0), and tristearin (C18:0). The data showed good agreement with the Clausius–Clapeyron model for temperature dependence of vapor pressure up to 1 atm pressure. The results of this study were consistent with those obtained using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and with data previously reported for reduced pressure.