Experimental determination and estimation of closed cup flash points of mixtures of flammable solvents

Abstract Flash points, in air at atmospheric pressure, of some binary and ternary mixtures are experimentally determined in this study. All the components of these mixtures are flammable. These data are used to further validate a simple and accurate method proposed for the estimation of flash points for both pure compounds and multicomponent mixtures. This method does not depend on experimental flash point or flammability limit data and requires only the normal boiling point temperature, the heat of vaporization, and the number of carbon atoms for the pure components, as well as vapor–liquid equilibrium data on the mixture. This method can be used to predict hazards resulting from minimum flash point behavior and probably the effects of small concentrations of volatile flammable contaminants on the flash point value of a mixture. It may therefore help to develop products (lubricants, fuels, etc.) that meet safety standards. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2006