UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

RESERVOIR AND GAS LABORATORY
(CGE578)
NAME

: MUHAMMAD SYIMIR ASYRAF BIN MOHD SHAARI

(2015837364)
No.
Title
Allocated
(%)
Marks
MOHAMAD AZALI
BIN Marks
ABDUL
RAZAK
1
Abstract/Summary
5
(2015826694)
2
IntroductionMUHAMMAD SHALIHAN
5 BIN MUSTAFA
3
Aims
5
(2015238396)
4
Theory
5 ABDULLAH
MOHAMAD SHAHIR BIN
5
Apparatus (2015217516)
5
6
Methodology/Procedure
EXPERIMENT
: BOYS CALORIMETER10
7
Results
10
DATE PERFORMED
: 6/10/2016
SEMESTER
8
Calculations: 4
10
LECTURERS
NAME : SIR KHALIL
9
Discussion
20
PROGRAMME/CODE
(Hons.) Oil And Gas / Eh243
10
Conclusion : Bachelor Of Engineering 10
GROUP 11
:
EH2434B
Recommendations
5
12
Reference
5
13
Appendix
5
TOTAL MARKS
100

Remarks:
Checked by:
TABLE OF CONTENT

No.

Title

Pages

Abstract/Summary

Introduction

Aims/Objectives

3
1

Theory

Apparatus

Procedures

Results

Sample Calculations

Discussion

10

10

Conclusion

11

11

Recommendations

12

12

References

12

13

Appendices

13

ABSTRACT

The objective of this is to determine the calorific values of natural gas and gas volume factor by Boys Gas
Calorimeter. In this experiment, to find the calorific values and gas volume factor, the value of water inlet
temperature, the amount of water collected, barometric pressure, gas temperature and gas volume factor must be
found from experiment. All the apparatus is set up based on start-up procedure. The calorimeter water outlet
2

spout is moved, at the same time stop watch was started. The reading of gas inlet is taken when meter point is
approaching the top on the dial o the gas meter. Then, water inlet and outlet temperature were recorded at every
each revolution of the gas is complete. After that, the calorimeter water outlet spout is moved to the changeover
funnel that is directed the drain/sink. . By using the calorific value, the value obtained was 121.19 MJ/m 3. The
gas volume factor was obtained using the tables 2 in the appendix correspond to the barometric pressure and the
gas temperature obtain. The gas volume factors which are 1.14 then used in the formula. Since all three reading
recorded produce almost identical result, it can be concluded that the Boys Calorimeter is simple equipment
that can obtain an accurate calorific value of gaseous fuels.

INTRODUCTION

The Boys Gas Calorimeter apparatus was designed by the late Sir Charles Boys F.R.S, to provide a simple but
accurate equipment for ascertaining the calorific values of a wide range of gaseous fuels currently in use.

The Gas Calorimeter is designed to make sure that the heat from the burner flows up through the
calorimeter container and back down again inside the container and back up again before exhausting. This
experiment is based on heat transfer from burning the gaseous fuel for heating the water that flows and

circulates in a coil heat exchanger. This design ensures maximum heat transfer to the cooling liquid and hence
accurate enough for measurement and calculations of calorific value of gas.

The amount of heat liberated when a unit mass of fuel is burnt completely is known as the calorific
value. Calorific value is the amount of heat that produced by the complete combustion 0f a fuel or any materials.
The higher calorific value or higher heating value means that the water of combustion is completely condensed
and the heat contained in the water vapor is recovered while the lower calorific value or lower heating value
means that the products of combustion contains water vapor and it is not recovered.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the calorific values of natural gas and gas volume factor by Boys Gas Calorimeter.
THEORY
Calorie can determined as the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water through 1 C (now
usually defined as 4.1868 joules). Calorific value of natural gas is the amount of energy released when the
natural gas undergoes a complete combustion process under specified conditions. Higher Calorific Value
indicate that the water of combustion is entirely condensed and that the heat contained in the water vapor is
recovered while Lower Calorific Value indicates the products of combustion contains the water vapor and that
the heat in the water vapor is not recovered.
It is measured in units of energy per unit of the substance, usually mass, such as: kJ/kg, kJ/mol, kcal/kg, Btu/lb.
The formula used to calculate the calorific value is;
Calorific Value, CV:

1
10 4

3
metersize, m revs

CV T W 4.187 GVF
Where:
W

= collected water, (ml)

GVF

= gas volume factor (Appendix 1, Table 2)

4

Meter Size = 20dm3 capacity of one revolution of the meter in m3

Revs

= number of revolutions of the meter (Appendix 1, Table 3)

APPARATUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Gas calorimeter
Hyde Meter
Control valves
Pipe connections
Thermometer
Beaker
Safety Lighter
Barometer

Thermometer

Pipe
connections
Beaker

Figure 1: Calorimeter

Figure 2: Hydemeter

Figure 3: Control Valve

PROCEDURES

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The current reading of the local barometric pressure was recorded.

The apparatus was set up correctly according to the start-up procedure.
The calorimeter was positioned over the section the changeover funnel that drains in to the sink.
The collecting beaker was completely emptied and drained.
The gas inlet temperature on thermometer was recorded when the meter pointer was approaching the top

of the dial on the gas meter.

6. The calorimeter water outlet spout was moved when the meter pointer reached the top of dial to the
section of the changeover gunnel that was directed to the collecting beaker.
7. The stop watch was started at the same time.
6

8. The water inlet and outlet temperature on the calorimeter was recorded at the end of each complete
revolution of the gas meter.
9. The calorimeter water outlet spout was moved to the changeover funnel that was directed to the
drain/sink. On completion of the requisite number of revolutions.
10. The amount of water collected, barometric pressure, gas temperature, gas volume factor was recorded.

RESULTS
Table 1: Boys Gas Calorimeter

Readin
g

Tin
(oC)

Tout
(oC)

Time Taken
Per cycle

A
B
C
D

25
26
26.3
26.1

39
46
45
44

5min 45sec
5min 43sec
5min 50sec
5min 55sec

Water
Collected
(mL)
2320
2570
2710
2780

Barometric
Pressure
(mba)
995
995
995
995

Temperature
Gas (oC)
26
26
26
26

Average Inlet Temperature = 26.1oC

Average Outlet Temperature = 45oC
Average Temperature Difference = 18.9oC
Average Water Collected = 2686.7 mL
995 mba = 746 mmHg
Calorific Value = 24.237 MJ/m3
Gas Volume Factor = 1.14
7

Number of revs

=1

CALCULATIONS
Calorific Value , CV:

1
10 4

3
metersize, m revs

CV T W 4.187 GVF

Where:
W

= collected water, (ml)

GVF

= gas volume factor (Appendix 1, Table 2)

Meter Size = 20dm3 capacity of one revolution of the meter in m3

Revs

= number of revolutions of the meter (Appendix 1, Table 3)

CV =18.9 X 2686.7 X 4.187 X 1.14 X

1
X 104
0.2 X 1

121.19 MJ/m3

DISCUSSION
The experiment was done repeatedly 4 times to get an accurate value of calorific value. However, the first
reading was not included in the calculation since the first reading there was a major error made during the
experiment. Among the 3 reading recorded, the result obtained was not very different from each other. The inlet
and outlet temperature, gas temperature, and water collected is almost the same. By using the calorific value, the
value obtained was 121.19 MJ/m3. Based on caloric value tables for fuels, butane normal has a calorific value of
133000 kJ/m3. Referring to report done from another person, they obtained a calorific value that isnt any much
difference with ours. The gas volume factor was obtained using the tables 2 in the appendix correspond to the
9

barometric pressure and the gas temperature obtain. The gas volume factor which is 1.14 was then used in the
formula. Gas volume factor also can be obtained by using formula, however using the gas volume factor table is
much easier since the parameter to be recorded can be minimized.

Both objective of this experiment was fulfilled. The first objective is to determine the calorific value of
natural gas and the second objective is to determine the gas volume factor. The calorific value calculated is
almost identical with the theoretical calorific value for a butane. Therefore we can conclude that the calorific
value was calculated without any problem and error. Higher calorific value (HCV) and lower calorific value
(LCV) was not calculated since both term is only different to whom to use it and additional data required. The
difference between this two term is only for the engineer who prefer different bases for different material
involved. The value should not be any different. Since all three reading recorded produce almost identical result,
it can be concluded that the Boys Calorimeter is a simple equipment that can obtain an accurate calorific value
of gaseous fuels.

CONCLUSION
The Boys Gas Calorimeter is a very useful way of measuring out experimentally the calorific value of different
gases. Calorific value is useful way to measure the thermal efficiency of a power plant. Most power plant in
America prefers the use of higher calorific value (HCV) or they refer it as gross calorific value to measure
thermal efficiency of their power plant. While power plant in Europe prefer the lower calorific value (LCV) or
net calorific value to measure thermal efficiency of their power plant. The numerical difference between the two
10

is the latent heat of condensation of the water vapour in the combustion exhaust gas, which in turn depends on
the hydrogen content of the fuel being burned. . Its just that engineer used different bases to measure the
efficiency of their power plant.
The difference of calorific value is minimal for coal, significant for natural gas and largest for pure
hydrogen fuel. So in this experiment, gas volume factor is used. The gas volume factor or formation volume
factor of gas is defined as the ratio of the volume of gas at the reservoir temperature and pressure to the volume
at the standard or surface temperature and pressure (ps and Ts). Due to the nature of gas that easily compressible
to slight difference of pressure and temperature, gas volume factors were introduced in petroleum and natural
gas calculations in order to readily relate the volume of fluids that are obtained at the surface to the volume that
the fluid actually occupied.

RECOMMENDATION
1. Lighting the fire inside the chamber needs extra precaution, where ignition source is not placed directly
to the burner.
2. The chamber of boy calorimeter needs to be closed slowly to ensure the burner keep burning. If it is
closed instantaneously, the fire may be extinguished due to sudden air that stifles down the fire.
3. Ensure that the flow rate of water in not too high to prevent water from flowing out from the level-tank.
4. The apparatus should be used based on procedure and in detail precaution to avoid any misread and
error.
5. Wear a complete PPE to avoid injuries during the experiment.
6. After the experiment make sure that all gas sources are closed off and gas cap are disconnected to
prevent the accumulation of vapor cloud that may lead to explosion.

11

REFERENCES
1. (2006). Advance Engineering Chemistry. In M. Senapati, Advance Engineering Chemistry
(p. 301). New DELHI: Laxmi Publication (P) LTD.
2. Andrew, D. (2010, January 7). Cleverton Energy Research Group. Retrieved October 16,
2016, from Research Website: http://www.claverton-energy.com/the-difference-betweenlcv-and-hcv-or-lower-and-higher-heating-value-or-net-and-gross-is-clearly-understood-byall-energy-engineers.html
3. Schlumberger. (n.d.). Retrieved

OCTOBER

16,

2016,

from

Oilfield

Glosary:

http://www.glossary.oilfield.slb.com/Terms/g/gas_formation_volume_factor.aspx

APPENDICES
Table 2: Gas Volume Factors relative to 0"C and 760 mmHg. Note A formula for
calculating the gas volume at other temperatures and Pressures is given in the text.
mm
Hg
730
732
734
736
738
740
742
744
746
748
750
752
754
756
758
760
762
764
766
768
770
772

10C 11C 12C 13C 14C 15C 16C 17C 18C 19C 20C 21C 22C 23C 24
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04
1.04
1.04
1.03
1.03
1.05
1.03

1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04
1.04
1.04
1.04
1.03
1.03

1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04
1.04
1.04
1.04
1.03

1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.06
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04
1.04
1.04

1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04
1.04

1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04

1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05

1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05

1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06

1.15
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06

1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07

1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08
1.08
1.08

1.14
1.14
1.14
1.15
1.15
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.08
1.08

1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.09
1.09
1.09
1.09

12

1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.0

774
776
778
780

1.02
1.02
1.02
1.02

1.03
1.02
1.02
1.02

1.03
1.03
1.03
1.02

1.03
1.03
1.03
1.03

1.04
1.03
1.03
1.03

1.04
1.04
1.04
1.03

1.05
1.04
1.04
1.04

1.05
1.05
1.05
1.04

1.06
1.05
1.05
1.05

1.06
1.06
1.06
1.05

1.07
1.06
1.06
1.06

1.07
1.07
1.07
1.06

1.08
1.08
1.07
1.07

1.08
1.08
1.03
1.07

13

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

mmH
730
732
734
736
738
740
742
744
746
748
750
752
754
756
758
760
762
764
766
768
770
772
774
776
778
780

27C
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10
1.10
1.10

28C
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.11
1.10

29C
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11

30C
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.1B
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12
1.12
1.12

31C
1.20
502.
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.12

32C
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.15

33C
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.16
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.14

34C
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.14

35C
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.13
1.13
1.13
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15

36C
1.24
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16

37C
1.25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.13
1.17
1.17
1.16

38C
1.26
1.26
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1
1.19
1.1B
1.18
1.18
1.17

39C
1.27
1.27
1.26
1.26
1.26
1.25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19
1.18
1.18

40C
1.26
1.26
1.27
1.27
1.26
1.26
1.26
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1.22
1.22
1.22
1.21
1.21
1.21
1.20
1.20
1.20
1.19
1.19

14 | P a g e

mmH
730
732
734
736
738
740
742
744
746
748
750
752
754
756
758
760
762
764
766
768
770
772
774
776
778
780

Table 3: Meter Gas Rates & Water Collection Rates

Approximate
Calorific Value

Time for 1
rev of Meter
Pointer

Number of
rev of Meter
Pointer in
test

Water
Collected
during
Pointer in
test

Factor to be
used in
calculation 1/
(0.2m3xrevs)

18-19 MJ per m3
(500
B.
Th.
Us /cu ft)

52s-54s

2160-2260g

37-38 MJ per m3
(1000 B. Th. Us
/cu ft)

1min44s1min49s

864-904g

2.5

75-76 MJ per m3
(2000 B. Th. Us
/cu ft)

3min34s3min-38s

432-452g

15 | P a g e