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D3984-24 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
ASTM D3984-24 provides standardized thermophysical property tables for ethane, covering thermodynamic and transport properties essential for process design and operations. Developed using the NIST Standard Reference Database 23 (REFPROP) version 10.0, these tables ensure industry-wide consistency and accuracy for engineering calculations involving the pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) relationship, enthalpy, entropy, and transport coefficients.
🔍 Scope and Application of D3984-24
The scope of D3984-24 encompasses tabulated thermophysical properties for ethane in both gaseous and liquid phases. The valid range for these tables covers temperatures from 92 K to 600 K and pressures up to 20 MPa. The standard provides specific tables for conditions of liquid-vapor equilibrium (saturation properties) and a third table for properties at selected temperature-pressure points for the equilibrium phase.
💡 Data Source Verification: The tables were developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) primarily from equations embedded in the REFPROP v10.0 database. This ensures that the data is traceable to a highly respected standard reference source.
All values presented in the standard are expressed in SI units. Users involved in process design, cryogenic systems, or natural gas processing will find these tables essential for accurate thermodynamic modeling of ethane-rich streams. The standard is under the direct jurisdiction of ASTM Subcommittee D03.08 on Thermophysical Properties.
📊 Thermophysical Properties and Table Structure
The thermodynamic and transport properties provided in the tables are defined with specific symbols and SI units. These include molar heat capacities, enthalpy, entropy, density, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and speed of sound. The table below summarizes the standard notation used in D3984-24.
| 🟦 Symbol | 📐 Property | 🎯 Unit |
|---|---|---|
| c | Speed of Sound | m·s-1 |
| Cv | Constant Volume Molar Heat Capacity | J·K-1·mol-1 |
| Cp | Constant Pressure Molar Heat Capacity | J·K-1·mol-1 |
| H | Molar Enthalpy | J·mol-1 |
| S | Molar Entropy | J·K-1·mol-1 |
| η | Viscosity | µPa·s |
| λ | Thermal Conductivity | mW·m-1·K-1 |
| ρ | Molar Density | mol·L-1 |
| T | Temperature | K |
The standard tables are organized to provide maximum utility for different operational conditions. The saturation tables provide properties for both the liquid and vapor phases along the phase boundary, while the single-phase table covers selected thermodynamic states.
| 📊 Table Type | ⚡ Condition | 📏 Typical Parameters Included |
|---|---|---|
| Saturation Table (Liquid) | Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium | T, p, ρ, H, S, Cp, Cv, c, η, λ |
| Saturation Table (Vapor) | Liquid-Vapor Equilibrium | T, p, ρ, H, S, Cp, Cv, c, η, λ |
| Single Phase Table | Selected Temperature & Pressure Points | ρ, H, S, Cp, Cv, c, η, λ |
⚙️ Implementation and Referenced Standards
D3984-24 is built upon established reference standards. General terminology related to gaseous fuels is governed by ASTM D4150. The primary data package is the NIST REFPROP v10.0 (Standard Reference Database 23), which provides the underlying equations of state for the tabulated values.
⚠️ Application Caution (Section 4): The standard states that the tables “apply directly only to pure gaseous ethane.” While they are expected to be highly useful in modeling mixtures containing ethane, users must independently validate the mixing rules and mathematical models used for multi-component systems.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What temperature and pressure ranges are covered by D3984-24?
The standard provides property tables for ethane over a temperature range of 92 K to 600 K and a pressure range up to 20 MPa.
💡 What software is the source of the data tables?
The thermophysical property tables were generated using the NIST Standard Reference Database 23, REFPROP Version 10.0, which calculates properties from standardized equations of state.
⚡ What terminology standard does D3984-24 reference?
This specification relies on ASTM D4150, “Terminology Relating to Gaseous Fuels,” for the definitions of general technical terms used within the document.
📌 Can I use these tables for ethane mixtures?
Section 4 of the standard allows for this use, noting that while the tables directly apply to pure ethane, they “may find substantial use in mathematical models and tables for the thermophysical properties of mixtures containing ethane.”