Thermal conductivity of liquids: correlations and experimental evidence

A formula previously proposed by one of the authors to calculate the thermal conductivity of organic liquids along the saturation line is revised in order to critically discuss some empirical parameters clearly derived from some averages made over all the investigated compounds. A new formula is proposed containing parameters appearing as exponents and as a multiplying factor: the exponents are an integer number, the same for all the liquids and a rational number characteristic of each organic family; the multiplying factor is characteristic of each compound and can be calculated through the chemical-physical constant of the different substances as melting point, boiling point, critical temperature, critical pressure, critical volume and molecular weight. The compounds taken in consideration are 23 belonging to the families of saturated hydrocarbons, methane series refrigerants, alcohols and aromatics. The mean absolute deviations between calculated and experimental thermal conductivity values are generally less than 2% and the maximum deviations less than 3%.