The research was designed to determine whether the evaporation rate of a volatile liquid could be adequately predicted from its common 'handbook' properties over a narrow range of environmental conditions. An experimental apparatus to measure the evaporation rate under controlled conditions and nearly ideal presentation of the evaporation surface to the controlled airflow was developed. The evaporation rate for a base set of twelve chemicals from four classes of organic liquids was measured. The relevant physical properties of the liquids (e.g. vapor pressure, surface tension, viscosity, latent heat of evaporation, etc.) were correlated with the observed evaporation rate. Additional testing of water, n-butyl acetate, and three examples of low vapor pressure alcohols was then conducted. Predictive equations for the low vapor pressure alcohols were developed and presented for comparison with the base set of equations. The results were compared with other referenced methods. The error of prediction of the empirical equations for the range of conditions was generally less than + or - 12 percent, or generally less than + or - 20 percent, depending on which predictive equation was used.

"December 11, 1989." Includes bibliographical references. "Developed under subcontract to PEI Associates, Inc." Microfiche.