Thermophysical properties of seawater: A review and new correlations that include pressure dependence

Abstract

In a previous paper, the authors have given correlations for seawater thermophysical properties as functions of temperature and salinity, but only for near atmospheric pressures. Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) systems operate routinely at pressures of 6 MPa or more; however, experimental data for seawater properties at elevated pressures (P = 0.1–12 MPa) are limited to a salinity of 56 g/kg. To accurately model and design SWRO and thermal desalination systems, a reliable method of estimating the effect of pressure on seawater properties is required. In this work, we present this method and new correlations for seawater thermophysical properties that are valid within the range: t = 0–120 °C, S = 0–120 g/kg, and P = 0–12 MPa. Seawater isothermal compressibility data, available until a salinity of 56 g/kg, were used to develop a correlation for compressibility that is extrapolated to 160 g/kg. Thermodynamic identities were then used to develop accurate pressure dependent correlations for seawater: density, isobaric expansivity, specific heat capacity, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energy. New correlations were proposed for seawater: vapor pressure, thermal conductivity and activity of water. Recent work on seawater surface tension and osmotic coefficient were reviewed. Uncertainty bounds were calculated for each correlation.