Improvements in the measurement of distillation curves. 1. A composition-explicit approach

The distillation (or boiling) curve of a complex fluid is a critically important indicator of the bulk behavior or response of the fluid. For this reason, the distillation curve, usually presented graphically as the boiling temperature against the volume fraction distilled, is often cited as a primary design and testing criterion for liquid fuels, lubricants, and other important industrial fluids. While the distillation curve gives a direct measure of fluid volatility fraction by fraction, the information the curve contains can be taken much further; there are numerous engineering and application-specific parameters that can be correlated to the distillation curve. When applied to liquid motor fuels, for example, one can estimate engine starting ability, drivability, fuel system icing and vapor lock, the fuel injector schedule, and fuel autoignition, etc. It can be used in environmental applications as a guide for blending virgin stock with reclaimed oil, guiding the formulation of product that will be su...