http://www.deswater.com/vol16.php
Correlations and data for the thermophysical properties of seawater are reviewed. Properties
examined include density, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, dynamic viscosity, surface
tension, vapor pressure, boiling point elevation, latent heat of vaporization, specific enthalpy, specific
entropy and osmotic coefficient. These properties include those needed for design of thermal
and membrane desalination processes. Results are presented in terms of regression equations as
functions of temperature and salinity. The available correlations for each property are summarized
with their range of validity and accuracy. Best-fi tted new correlations are obtained from available
data for density, dynamic viscosity, surface tension, boiling point elevation, specific enthalpy,
specific entropy and osmotic coefficient after appropriate conversion of temperature and salinity
scales to the most recent standards. In addition, a model for latent heat of vaporization is suggested.
Comparisons are carried out among these correlations, and recommendations are provided for
each property, particularly over the ranges of temperature and salinity common in thermal and/or
reverse osmosis seawater desalination applications.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT and KFUPM