A New Model for Methane Viscosity Based on the Theory of Averaged Intermolecular Potential Field

Methane is the simplest alkane and the main constituent of natural gas, shale gas, and gas hydrate. Its viscosity has both academic and industrial importance. A new model for the methane viscosity was developed based on the theory of the averaged intermolecular potential field. The derived equations of the model were fitted to 1669 experimental data points in good agreement over the parameter ranges: from 100 to 523 K with the pressure from 0.047 up to 1000 MPa. The new model also comprehensively performed better than the famous samples in comparison. The physical base, good numerical behavior, and better-comparing performance suggest that the model has considerable theoretical significance and practical application potentials.