Erebus is a well-studied open-vent volcano located on Ross Island, Antarctica (77◦ 32’ S, 167◦ 10’ E). The volcano is the focus of ongoing research aimed at combining petrologic data and experiments with surface gas observations in order to interpret degassing histories and the role of volatiles in magma differentiation, redox evolution, and eruptive style. This research focus has been driven in part by an abundance of studies on various aspects of the Erebus system, such as physical volcanology, gas chemistry, petrology, melt inclusion research, seismic, and more. Despite this large data set, however, interpretations of Erebus rocks, particularly mafic and intermediate lavas, which are thought to originate from deep within the magmatic plumbing system, have been hindered due to a lack of experimental data. Experimental petrology is a common tool used to understand volcanic plumb- ing systems and to tie observations made at the Earth’s surface to the deep pro- cesses responsible for driving volcanic activity. Experimental petrologists essen- tially recreate natural magma chambers in miniature by subjecting lavas to con- ditions of pressure, temperature, and volatile chemistry (P-T-X) relevant to a natural underground volcanic system. Because many important parameters can be constrained in the laboratory, the comparison of experimental products with naturally erupted ones allows for an understanding of the formation conditions of the rocks and gases we see at the surface. In this thesis, I have employed experimental and analytical petrological tech- niques to investigate the magmatic plumbing system of Erebus volcano. Broadly, the research is focused on volatiles (namely H2O, CO2, and S species) in the Ere- bus system: their abundances, solubilities, interactions, evolution, and ultimate contributions to degassing. Specifically, three key themes have been investigated, each employing their own experimental and analytical techniques. Firstly, the mixed volatile H2O-CO2 solubility in Erebus phonotephrite has been investigated under P-T-X conditions representative of the deep plumbing system of Erebus. Understanding the deep system is crucial because the constant supply of deeply derived CO2-rich gases combined with a sustained energy and mass input into the lava lake suggests a direct link between the phonolite lava lake and the volcano’s ultimate mantle source via a deep mafic plumbing system. Secondly, I have mapped the phase equilibria and evolution of primitive, inter- mediate, and evolved Erebus lavas. The chemistries of these experimental products span the full range of lavas on Ross Island and help to constrain magmatic evolu- tion from basanite to phonolite as well as to elucidate the geometry of the deep Ross Island plumbing system. Finally, lower-pressure experiments representing the shallow plumbing system at Erebus have been performed in order to understand the transport properties of sulfur in alkaline magma. Experiments were performed on natural Erebus basanite and phonolite, which represent the most primitive and evolved lavas from Erebus. A distinct cocktail of C-O-H-S fluid was equilibrated with each experiment, and a wide range of experimental oxygen fugacities was explored. Overall, experiments from this work are the first to place constraints on the en- tire magma plumbing system of Erebus volcano. In addition, experimental results foster a new understanding of non-ideal gas behavior at high pressure, the affinity of CO2 to deeply sourced rift magmas, and the effect of alkalis on fluid transport capabilities in melts.

<p> Phase equilibrium relations were determined in the system NaAlSiO8-NaAlSiO4-H2O on a P-T projection in the P-T range 0.5-10Kb and 150°-900°C, and on three isobaric (2Kb, 5.15Kb and 7. 32Kb) T-X projections. The T-X stability field of analcite determined in this study has a relatively large distorted pentagonal shape. The petrogenetic problem of analcite is fully discussed. On the composition join NaAlSiO4-H2O, the phase relation is not binary for the transition: nepheline hydrate I = nepheline + H2O; there exists a narrow three-phase zone for the transition. The true P-T curve was determined in terms of a ternary univariant reaction: nepheline hydrate I+ analcite = nepheline + H2O. Another univariant reaction (zeolite species P. = analcite + nepheline hydrate I+ H2O) was found at 2Kb/215°C and 5.15Kb/235°C and determined on a P-T projection. In the system NaAlSi3O8-SiO2-H2O, albite contains a maximum of about 5 Wt.% silica in solid solution at 5.15Kb/670°C.</p> <p> The equilibrium compositions of various univariant phases were determined essentially by phase boundary-location on several isobaric T-X projections. Three singular points were determined: two of them are approximately located at 0.8Kb/390°C and 9.4Kb/475°C on a univariant curve (N-h I+ Anl =Ne+ H2O). The other one is approximately located at 6Kb/655°C on the (Ab) univariant curve.</p> </p> A simple method for determining H2O-solubility in melts was developed and applied to the study of the system NaAlSi3O8-NaAlSiO4-H2O. Using this method, solubility data are simply obtained as by-products of the experimental runs made for the investigation of the phase equilibria. The amount of water required to make an H2O-saturated melt (from the total amount of water in the original charge) is taken as the dissolved water in the melt; the solubility value is corrected by determining the amount of moisture originally absorbed in the starting powder. The method is generally applicable to the determination of H2O-content in any hydrous phase. The H2O-solubility in a melt is not too sensitive to a variation in anhydrous composition of the melt (~ 6±1 Wt.% H2O at 2Kb and ~11±1 Wt.% H2O at ~5Kb in the range of compositions Ab100Ne0-An40Ne60). H2O-solubility in the (Anl) and (Ne) univariant melts was determined up to l0Kb (H2O contents: 4.7 Wt.%/1.1Kb and 850°C, 6.2 Wt. %/2Kb and 804°C, 10.8 Wt. %/5.2Kb and 672°C, l2.2 Wt.% /6.6Kb and 655°C, 13.2 Wt. %/7.3Kb and 652°C and 14(?) Wt.% /10Kb and 632°C ). The origin of water bubbles in quenched hydrous glasses is essentially attributed to the exsolution of the dissolved water in melts upon quenching.</p> <p> The sequence of P-T curves around a quaternary invariant point (~5Kb and ~635°C) in the system NaAlSiO4-KAlSiO4-SiO2-H2O was theoretically discussed. The most probable four P-T diagram types are proposed, one of which is expected to be the real one.</p> <p> Phase relations in the system NaAlSi3O3-NaAlSiO4-H2O are theoretically discussed up to ~15Kb. The discussion is largely based on the equilibrium compositions of invariant phases approximately estimated from data presented in Parts 1 and 2. Six invariant points are examined. Two of them, I5 and I6, have been predicted to occur; I5 is inferred to be located at ~13Kb/~500°C where five phases Jd, N-h I, Anl, Ne and V coexist, and I6 to be located at ~0.5Kb/-375°C where Ab, Ne, Anl, N-h I and V coexist. The phase relations around the other four are partly modified. The maximum P-T stability field of analcite is deduced. The stability field of solidus analcite is extremely large whereas that of liquidus analcite is very much limited. The maximum stability field of liquidus analcite is a small triangular area defined by three invariant points I1 (5.15Kb/657°C), I2 (11Kb/650°C) and I4 (12.5Kb/575°C).</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The effect of magnesium, strontium, and other alkaline earths on the formation and persistence of metastable carbonates in the natural environment was investigated to determine the nature of the controlling mechanism. Barium and beryllium were studied to evaluate the effect of ionic radius; magnesium and strontium, in order to determine if the results correlate with the usual order of stability for complexes and adsorbed species. Known weights of aragonite were placed in contact with solutions of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium. Samples were covered and periodically both pH and percent composition of aragonite determined; supernatant liquids and precipitates were analyzed for cation concentrations by atomic absorption spectroscopy and titrimetric methods. Results indicated that the order of effectiveness of alkaline earth metals in inhibiting recrystallization is : Be > Mg > Sr > Ba. This is the expected order of effectiveness for both surface and solution effects. A solution effect (i.e., sequestration of bicarbonate ions) is strongly suggested by the chemical behavior of each cation.

The work conducted in this thesis is two-fold. First, binary vapor liquid equilibria of several solvent/CO2 systems are measured at 40 ?? The systems analyzed are all gas-expanded liquids (GXLs) characterized with a Jerguson Cell apparatus. A Jerguson cell is a windowed pressure vessel that allows one to measure the height of the condensed liquid. Using this height and the known overall contents in the cell, one can calculate the liquid composition without using any external sampling. Secondly, this same setup is attached to a sampling system, and solid solubility (fractional crystallization) is measured for various GXL systems. The CO2 acts as an antisolvent in what is commonly known as a gaseous antisolvent (GAS) system. Essentially, this work shows that expansion of the tested solvents with CO2 will cause the precipitation of the solid solute. This work also analyzes the affect two solutes have on each other in a quaternary GAS system. Gas-expanded liquids combine desirable gaseous properties and liquid properties to yield a very useful solvent for many applications. An advantage of GXLs is that a relatively small change in pressure or temperature can greatly affect the solvation properties. The tunability of GXLs increases as the amount of the gas (usually CO2) increases in the liquid phase. With the benign chemical nature and environmental impact of CO2 processing, GXLs and supercritical fluids (SCFs) have garnered a lot of attention for industry and academia. Supercritical fluids in this work refer to pure CO2 above its critical temperature and pressure.

Rare-earth oxides used in oxide dispersion strengthening are known to provide excellent strength and deformability over ordinary dispersion strengthening. It has been suggested that this may be due to the development of molybdate compounds instead of pure dispersed oxide particles. These alloys are produced by dispersing particles of certain rare-earth oxides in a molybdenum matrix and forming the mixture into a composite ingot. During the high-temperature consolidation process, the oxides are converted into rare-earth molybdates. With subsequent processing, these molybdate phases undergo deformation to form high-surface-area ribbons that serve to inhibit dislocation movement, thus improving the mechanical properties of the molybdenum matrix. It is still unknown what specific compounds, phases, and crystal structures provide these metal-oxides with their high strength and deformability. Because the molybdate phases are formed at high temperatures and low oxygen partial pressures, little is also known of the high-temperature phase equilibria of the REO-Mo systems under these conditions. The primary goal of this study was to deifine phase equilibria on systems of Mo with rare-earth oxides. The project aimed to identify compounds, phases, and specific oxidation states of molybdenum at various processing conditions. Systems of LaO1.5-MoOx, YO1.5-MoOx, and ZrO2- MoOx were investigated at temperatures of 1000??nd 1200??and O2 partial pressures ranging from 10-4 Pa to 10-13 Pa. Samples were prepared using powder starting materials of Mo and rare-earth oxides were combined in stoichiometric ratios. The samples were then electrically heated in a ceramic tube furnace in which the oxygen partial pressure was controlled by means of a combined flow of H2 and CO2 gas. Characterization was performed using x-ray diffraction, with published powder diffraction files for phase identification.

A modelagem termodinâmica do equilíbrio de fases e a determinação de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas em que as moléculas apresentam associação é um problema desafiador na indústria química. Embora o uso de equações de estado tenha sido durante muito tempo restrito aos sistemas de fluidos simples, há uma crescente demanda por modelos que também sejam adequados a compostos complexos e macromoleculares. O avanço teórico mais aparente para equações de estado com tais capacidades foi conseguido por aplicação dos princípios da mecânica estatística, o qual considera as forças de associação entre as moléculas em sua teoria molecular. Um exemplo desta categoria é a equação de estado PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory), cuja formulação requer apenas um pequeno conjunto de parâmetros para cada componente e estas interações são computadas através de regras de mistura. Desta forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram a implementação do termo de associação desta equação e o desenvolvimento de ferramentas para o cálculo de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas contendo fluidos associados e não-associados, bem como para o cálculo do equilíbrio de fases. Todas as funções foram desenvolvidas no software MATLAB e a verificação da implementação foi feita através de comparação entre os resultados obtidos com estas ferramentas e dados experimentais e/ou outras equações de estado presentes na literatura. Através da comparação com dados de equilíbrio de fases disponíveis na literatura, foi analisado o desempenho da equação PC-SAFT com associação para diferentes sistemas multicomponentes e múltiplas fases envolvendo substâncias polares e apolares. Os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios quando comparados a dados experimentais e aqueles obtidos através de outras equações de estado. / Modeling the phase equilibrium and thermodynamic properties of systems in which molecules exhibit associating interactions remains a challenging problem in chemical industry. Although the use of equations of state has for a long time been restricted to systems of simple fluids, there is an increasing demand for models that are also suitable for complex and macromolecular compounds. Progress toward this goal has been achieved by applying principles of statistical mechanics, which takes molecular theories into account. One example of such approach is the PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory) equation of state, which requires only a small set of parameters for each component and whose interactions are obtained by mixing rules. The goals of this work have been the implementation of the PC-SAFT association term and the development of tools for thermodynamic properties calculation of associating and non-associating systems, as well as for phase equilibria calculation. All the functions have been developed using MATLAB software and their implementation analysis has been made by comparing obtained results to experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state available in literature. Through these comparisons, PC-SAFT performance has been analyzed for different multicomponent and multiphase systems involving polar and non-polar substances. The obtained results have shown good correlation to both experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state.

A modelagem termodinâmica do equilíbrio de fases e a determinação de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas em que as moléculas apresentam associação é um problema desafiador na indústria química. Embora o uso de equações de estado tenha sido durante muito tempo restrito aos sistemas de fluidos simples, há uma crescente demanda por modelos que também sejam adequados a compostos complexos e macromoleculares. O avanço teórico mais aparente para equações de estado com tais capacidades foi conseguido por aplicação dos princípios da mecânica estatística, o qual considera as forças de associação entre as moléculas em sua teoria molecular. Um exemplo desta categoria é a equação de estado PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory), cuja formulação requer apenas um pequeno conjunto de parâmetros para cada componente e estas interações são computadas através de regras de mistura. Desta forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram a implementação do termo de associação desta equação e o desenvolvimento de ferramentas para o cálculo de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas contendo fluidos associados e não-associados, bem como para o cálculo do equilíbrio de fases. Todas as funções foram desenvolvidas no software MATLAB e a verificação da implementação foi feita através de comparação entre os resultados obtidos com estas ferramentas e dados experimentais e/ou outras equações de estado presentes na literatura. Através da comparação com dados de equilíbrio de fases disponíveis na literatura, foi analisado o desempenho da equação PC-SAFT com associação para diferentes sistemas multicomponentes e múltiplas fases envolvendo substâncias polares e apolares. Os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios quando comparados a dados experimentais e aqueles obtidos através de outras equações de estado. / Modeling the phase equilibrium and thermodynamic properties of systems in which molecules exhibit associating interactions remains a challenging problem in chemical industry. Although the use of equations of state has for a long time been restricted to systems of simple fluids, there is an increasing demand for models that are also suitable for complex and macromolecular compounds. Progress toward this goal has been achieved by applying principles of statistical mechanics, which takes molecular theories into account. One example of such approach is the PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory) equation of state, which requires only a small set of parameters for each component and whose interactions are obtained by mixing rules. The goals of this work have been the implementation of the PC-SAFT association term and the development of tools for thermodynamic properties calculation of associating and non-associating systems, as well as for phase equilibria calculation. All the functions have been developed using MATLAB software and their implementation analysis has been made by comparing obtained results to experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state available in literature. Through these comparisons, PC-SAFT performance has been analyzed for different multicomponent and multiphase systems involving polar and non-polar substances. The obtained results have shown good correlation to both experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state.

A modelagem termodinâmica do equilíbrio de fases e a determinação de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas em que as moléculas apresentam associação é um problema desafiador na indústria química. Embora o uso de equações de estado tenha sido durante muito tempo restrito aos sistemas de fluidos simples, há uma crescente demanda por modelos que também sejam adequados a compostos complexos e macromoleculares. O avanço teórico mais aparente para equações de estado com tais capacidades foi conseguido por aplicação dos princípios da mecânica estatística, o qual considera as forças de associação entre as moléculas em sua teoria molecular. Um exemplo desta categoria é a equação de estado PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory), cuja formulação requer apenas um pequeno conjunto de parâmetros para cada componente e estas interações são computadas através de regras de mistura. Desta forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram a implementação do termo de associação desta equação e o desenvolvimento de ferramentas para o cálculo de propriedades termodinâmicas de sistemas contendo fluidos associados e não-associados, bem como para o cálculo do equilíbrio de fases. Todas as funções foram desenvolvidas no software MATLAB e a verificação da implementação foi feita através de comparação entre os resultados obtidos com estas ferramentas e dados experimentais e/ou outras equações de estado presentes na literatura. Através da comparação com dados de equilíbrio de fases disponíveis na literatura, foi analisado o desempenho da equação PC-SAFT com associação para diferentes sistemas multicomponentes e múltiplas fases envolvendo substâncias polares e apolares. Os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios quando comparados a dados experimentais e aqueles obtidos através de outras equações de estado. / Modeling the phase equilibrium and thermodynamic properties of systems in which molecules exhibit associating interactions remains a challenging problem in chemical industry. Although the use of equations of state has for a long time been restricted to systems of simple fluids, there is an increasing demand for models that are also suitable for complex and macromolecular compounds. Progress toward this goal has been achieved by applying principles of statistical mechanics, which takes molecular theories into account. One example of such approach is the PC-SAFT (Perturbed Chain-Statistical Associating Fluid Theory) equation of state, which requires only a small set of parameters for each component and whose interactions are obtained by mixing rules. The goals of this work have been the implementation of the PC-SAFT association term and the development of tools for thermodynamic properties calculation of associating and non-associating systems, as well as for phase equilibria calculation. All the functions have been developed using MATLAB software and their implementation analysis has been made by comparing obtained results to experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state available in literature. Through these comparisons, PC-SAFT performance has been analyzed for different multicomponent and multiphase systems involving polar and non-polar substances. The obtained results have shown good correlation to both experimental data and those obtained by other equations of state.

Orientador: Watson Loh / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T12:43:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bernardes_JulianadaSilva_D.pdf: 3716800 bytes, checksum: 697cfd08d77b6bb1c1d45598c8324907 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Polieletrólitos associam-se fortemente com surfatantes de carga oposta em meio aquoso, levando a uma separação de fases que resulta em uma fase concentrada, rica em polieletrólito e surfatante, em equilíbrio com uma fase diluída constituída pelos contra-íons. A fase concentrada pode ser constituída de interessantes estruturas supramoleculares advindas das propriedades de auto-organização destes sistemas, que aliadas à possibilidade de modificaremse a geometria da mesofase e as distâncias entre os agregados, tornam estes sistemas ferramentas importantes em processos de fabricação de estruturas micro e mesoporosas e em sistemas de liberação controlada de drogas. O estudo do equilíbrio de fases de sistemas constituídos por polieletrólitos e surfatantes de cargas opostas em água não é tão simples devido ao grande número de componentes presentes no sistema, porém é possível reduzir a quantidade de componentes através da síntese do sal complexo ¿puro¿ (polieletrólito-surfatante), facilitando dessa forma a análise dos diagramas de fases gerados. Neste trabalho o comportamento de fases de sais complexos formados pelo íon surfatante hexadeciltrimetilaônio (CTA) e pelo polieletrólito (PA) em água e na presença de diferentes solventes orgânicos foi investigado. Três efeitos principais foram analisados: efeito da natureza do solvente orgânico; efeito da adição de uma série homóloga de álcoois e efeito da hidrofobicidade do contra-íon polimérico. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a polaridade do solvente orgânico utilizado influencia intensamente nas estruturas formadas pelo sal complexo. Em geral, observou-se a predominância de estruturas lamelares em sistemas contendo co-surfatantes (n-álcoois) e a predominância de estruturas hexagonais em sistemas contendo p-xileno e ciclohexano. A hidrofobicidade do contra-íon polimérico não gerou mudanças significativas nos diagramas de fases obtidos. / Abstrat: Association between charged polymers and oppositely charged surfactants in aqueous solutions may lead to phase separation forming a concentrated phase rich in polyions and surfactant ions, and a more dilute phase, which mostly contains simple ions. The concentrated phases may display a variety of supramolecular structures with diverse and interesting features due to self-assembling properties of these systems, which have found applications in the field of controlled drug delivery and in templating the synthesis of materials with tailored geometries. A complete description of the phase equilibrium in these systems is quite demanding, because addition of polyelectrolyte and oppositely charged surfactant to water leads to the formation of several components, however it is possible to reduce the number of the components by the preparation of the pure complex-salt, which allows to analyze the phase equilibrium in a controlled manner. In this work the phase behavior of complex salts formed by the surfactant ion hexadecyltrimethylammonium (CTA) and the polyacrylate (PA) in water and with different organic solvents were investigated. Three principal effects were analyzed: the effect of the organic solvent nature; the effect of n-alcohol carbon chain length and the effect of the polyelectrolyte hidrophibicity. The obtained results revealed that the organic solvent nature has a strong influence in the structure assumed by the complex salt. From the general analysis, systems containing co-surfactants (n-alcohols) a predominance of lamellar structures was observed, and in systems containing p-xylene and ciclohexane a predominance of hexagonal structures was detected. The polyelectrolyte hidrophobicity did not display significant changes in the obtained phase diagrams. / Doutorado / Físico-Química / Doutor em Ciências

Orientadores: Reginaldo Guirardello, Charlles Rubber de Almeida Abreu / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T16:13:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Borghi_DanieladeFreitas_D.pdf: 3030117 bytes, checksum: b4aac454256a7b9c27deaa4219de53e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Atualmente, a produção de biodiesel tem sido objeto de estudo em diversos países devido à previsão de exaustão das fontes petrolíferas e também às suas características, já que este combustível possui vantagens ambientais em relação à emissão de gases poluentes. Trata-se de uma fonte de energia renovável e as matérias-primas para a sua produção são abundantes no Brasil. O biodiesel é produzido através da transesterificação de gordura animal ou óleo vegetal. Porém, os reagentes (óleo e etanol/metanol) e os produtos (éster metílico/etílico de ácidos graxos e glicerol) são parcialmente solúveis durante o processo. Assim, o conhecimento do equilíbrio de fases das misturas envolvidas em sua produção é um fator importante na otimização das condições da reação e da separação final dos produtos. Dentro deste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar cálculos de equilíbrio de misturas de compostos envolvidos nos processos de produção de biodiesel, utilizando técnicas de otimização global. A modelagem matemática requer o conhecimento de propriedades termoquímicas de todas as espécies envolvidas e do equilíbrio de fases do sistema. Tais informações foram obtidas a partir do uso de uma metodologia utilizando o software Gaussian 03 e o método COSMO-SAC. E o equilíbrio de fases foi realizado através da minimização da energia de Gibbs do sistema. Foram obtidos perfis sigma a serem utilizados no método COSMO-SAC através do software MOPAC. Eles foram comparados com os perfis sigma de um banco de dados do grupo Virginia Tech (VT-2005) e percebeu-se que, apesar de apresentarem diferenças, qualitativamente eles possuem muitas semelhanças. Foi verificada a eficiência do modelo COSMO-SAC em predizer os coeficientes de atividade de uma mistura binária de metanol e glicerol e observou-se que os desvios médios absolutos entre os valores experimentais e os calculados estão acima de 27%, o que é um desvio muito alto. Além disso, utilizou-se a metodologia da minimização da energia de Gibbs para a realização do cálculo de equilíbrio de fases de misturas binárias contendo água, metanol e glicerol, com o auxílio da ferramenta computacional GAMS. Os desvios médios absolutos obtidos variaram de 1,55 a 7,96%, dependendo da mistura. Portanto, este modelo ainda precisa de refinamentos para se tornar uma ferramenta confiável / Abstract: Biodiesel production has been studied in several countries due to the forecast of petroleum sources depletion and to its characteristics, since this fuel has environmental advantages due to lower pollutant gas emissions. It is a renewable source of energy and raw materials for its production are abundant in Brazil. Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fat. However, reagents (oil and ethanol/methanol) and products (fatty acids ethyl/methyl ester and glycerol) are partially soluble in the process. Therefore, knowledge of the phase equilibrium mixtures involved in its production is an important factor in optimizing the reaction conditions and separation of the final products. In this context, this work aims to perform equilibrium calculations of mixtures of compounds involved in the biodiesel production process using global optimization techniques. Mathematical modeling requires the knowledge of thermochemical properties of all the species involved and the phase equilibrium of the system. Such information was obtained with a methodology using the Gaussian 03 software and COSMO-SAC method. The phase equilibrium was achieved by minimizing the Gibbs energy of the system. Sigma profiles to be used in COSMO-SAC method were obtained using the MOPAC software. It was compared with the sigma profiles from Virginia Tech group database (VT-2005) and it was realized that, despite having differences, qualitatively it is similar. The efficiency of COSMO-SAC model to predict the activity coefficients of a binary mixture of methanol and glycerol was verified and it was found that the average absolute deviation between experimental and calculated values are above 27%, a very high value. In addition, a methodology of Gibbs energy minimization we used to perform the calculation of the phase equilibrium of binary mixtures containing water, methanol and glycerol, with the GAMS software. The mean absolute deviations obtained ranged from 1.55 to 7.96% depending on the mixure. Therefore, this model still needs refinements to become a reliable tool / Doutorado / Engenharia Química / Doutora em Engenharia Quimica