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HHV and LHV Measurements Junkers Gas Calorimeter: Theory
HHV and LHV Measurements Junkers Gas Calorimeter: Theory
0
f f f a a iw iw eg eg ow ow c c
m HHV m h m h m h m h m h m h Q
where:
m mass flow
h specific enthalpy
H enthalpy
HHV higher heating value of the fuel gas
0 Q heat flux going OUT of calorimeter (heat exchange with environment)
and subscripts meaning is:
f fuel
a air
iw inlet cooling water
ow outlet cooling water
c condensate.
As there the water flow through the
calorimeter is continuous and
steady,
iw ow w
m m m
Moreover it may be assumed that
the combined enthalpy of the fuel
gas and air is approximately equal
to the enthalpy of cooled down
exhaust gas, while the total
enthalpy of condensate is close to
zero. Also bearing in mind that
enthalpy of water may be
expressed as a product of water
specific heat capacity c and its temperature expressed in degrees Celsius t, we may therefore simplify
the equation to:
0
f w iw ow
m HHV m C t t Q
Heat losses to the environment may be cooled by adjusting the water flow in a way ensuring that the
temperature of calorimeter external walls will be equal to the ambient air temperature (as any
potential heat transfer at this boundary is driven by a potential temperature difference). As the
CALORIMETER
B
H
f
H
iw
H
ow
H
c
H
eg
Thermodynamics II Laboratory Instructions
2011 Division of Thermodynamics, Institute of Heat Engineering
water does not have uniform temperature within the calorimeter, this condition is fulfilled by
adjusting water flow in such a way that the average water temperature (i.e. mean temperature
between the inlet and outlet) is equal to the ambient temperature. In such a case we may assume
that 0 Q and therefore
f w ow iw
m HHV m C t t
If the equation is integrated over certain time during which the calorimeter operates at steady state,
then it transforms into:
f w ow iw
m HHV m C t t
Thus the higher heating value is calculated as
w ow iw
f
m C t t
HHV
m
where:
w
m mass of cooling water which has passed through the cooling jacket during the
measurement period
C specific heat capacity of water
f
m mass of fuel combusted in the burner during the measurement period
iw
t water inlet temperature during the measurement period
ow
t water outlet temperature during the measurement period.
As in practice water temperatures vary slightly, average values from the whole measurement period
are used.
The fuel LHV is determined according to the definition. This means that it is necessary to collect the
condensate from the flue gas during the measurement period. Then the lower heating value may be
calculated as:
c
LHV HHV m r
where:
c
m mass of condensate collected during the measurement period
r heat of evaporation of water.
Mass of the combusted fuel is determined according to indications of the gas flow meter, which
indicates:
Volume of consumed gas
Supply gas pressure
Thermodynamics II Laboratory Instructions
2011 Division of Thermodynamics, Institute of Heat Engineering
Supply gas temperature.
Please note that the volume of consumed gas is valid for measured parameters only! It may be
converted to normalised volume (expressed in normal cubic metres) using Clapeyrons equation.
Then a mass of consumed fuel gas may be calculated using its density.
Exercise instruction
During the exercise you will measure LHV and HHV of a 50/50 mixture of propane and butane.
Preparation
Record the ambient temperature
Open the main cooling water valve (red handle)
Check the water inlet temperature
Calculate the desirable outlet water temperature
Open the gas supply valve and ignite the burner
WARNING! DO NOT OPEN THE GAS VALVE AND DO NOT IGNITE THE BURNER UNLESS
SPECIFICALLY ORDERED TO DO SO BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR! FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS
REQUIREMENT IS CONSIDERED A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF HEALTH-AND-SAFETY RULES AND
MAY RESULT WITH A FAILURE TO GET A POSITIVE FINAL GRAD FROM THE COURSE!
Adjust the burner to obtain a smooth blue flame, proving that combustion is complete
Put the burner under the calorimeter. Do not attach it yet
Adjust the fine-control valve installed on the calorimeter to achieve desirable outlet water
temperature
CAUTION. The valve controls the water flow into the calorimeter. The thermometer shows
the temperature of outgoing water flow. This means that the temperature response will be
delayed. Take your time and allow the system to respond to even fine valve movements.
CAUTION. If you set insufficient water flow, then the outgoing water temperature will
rapidly increase. This might lead to destroying the thermometer. If you are unable to
contain temperature increase (i.e. if the temperature exceeds approximately 35C and
keeps growing) immediately remove the burner from the calorimeter and wait for the
temperature to drop. Only afterwards you may try again.
When the desired outgoing water temperature is achieved and stabilised, verify that the
exhaust gas temperature is equal to the ambient temperature. If it is the case, you may start
the main measurement.
Main measurement
During the main measurement you need to record the following parameters at regular intervals (e.g.
30 seconds):
Fuel gas pressure and temperature
Fuel gas consumption (measured from time zero)
Thermodynamics II Laboratory Instructions
2011 Division of Thermodynamics, Institute of Heat Engineering
Water inlet temperature
Water outlet temperature.
At the time zero, except for recording those parameters, you need to perform two more actions:
Switch a three-way valve on the outgoing water line, so the water is discharged by the stub
pipe into your measurement container
Put a wash-bottle under the drain of the exhaust gas condensate.
The measurement continues until the amount of collected condensate is sufficient to measure it with
reasonable accuracy. Please note that it may be necessary to switch cooling water containers. You
may measure amount of collected water using a scale available at the laboratory.
Upon completion of the measurement:
Switch the cooling water valve back to the sewerage discharge
Remove the wash-bottle from the calorimeter and measure (weigh) the condensate
Sum up entire cooling water consumption
Remove the burner from the calorimeter
Shut down the gas supply valve. Verify that the flame goes out
Shut down the main water supply valve
Wipe any spilled water.
In your report you should include:
General description of the test equipment
All measurement records
Calculation of HHV and LHV values.
You will receive detailed report guidelines from your Instructor.