Calculation of B/A for n-alkane liquids using the Tait equation

The B/A parameter of acoustic nonlinearity was calculated for a series of n-alkane liquids using the Tait PVT equation of state supplemented with specific heat data. The calculations of sound speed, sound speed derivatives, the two components of B/A, and the value of B/A itself were compared with experimental data taken from the literature and with earlier calculations using a different equation of state. In addition, a comparison of the results with Ballou's rule (linear relation of B/A and reciprocal sound speed) was made. It is concluded that B/A can be calculated from the Tait equation of state with about the same accuracy as direct measurements of sound speed versus pressure and temperature, though the the temperature derivatives of the sound speed are calculated with much lower accuracy than pressure derivatives. The calculations made using the Tait equation are about the same accuracy as calculations made using our equation of state. Also, Ballou's rule does not hold for these liquids.