Thermal properties of fats and oils. II. Heat capacity and latent heat of cottonseed oil

Summary 1. The heat contents of cottonseed oil, a hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and a mixture of cottonseed oil and petroleum naphtha have been measured over ranges of temperature within which there is transformation of the glycerides of the oils from a completely solid to a completely liquid form. 2. From the heat content data determinations have been made of the heats of fusion of the oils and of the specific heats of the oils in both solid and liquid states. 3. Equations have been derived for expressing the heat capacities of the oils and the oil‐solvent mixture, with the oil in either the liquid or solid form. 4. Values found for the specific heat of the liquid oils are in general agreement with values found by previous investigators. The values calculated for the heat of fusion of the oils are much lower than values reported by other workers for highly saturated glycerides. However, a low value for mixed glycerides of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is to be expected, from considerations of molecular structure.