Marcet Boiler

1. Abstract
This experiment was carried out to determine the relationship between the pressure and
the temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium. Besides that this experiment was also
done to demonstrate the vapor pressure curve. The market Boiler was used for this
experiment. When the pressure increases, the temperature also increases. Therefore, the
relationship of pressure and temperature is directly proportional. The derived formulae
and the data were used to calculate the slope. The dT/dP measured was compared with
the data in the steam table. Theoretically, the values measured should be almost the same
with the predicted values. However, at certain points, the values are not the same. This
may because of the errors made in the experiment.
2. Introduction
Thermodynamics study about the interchange of heat and work between a system and the
surroundings which occurs when the system undergoes a process. Thermodynamic also
concerned about the changes in the properties of fluid. Most thermodynamics substances
such as gases and vapours are often referred as P-V-T substances.
An ideal gas obeys the equation of state that relates the pressure, specific volume or
density, and absolute temperature with mass of molecule and the gas constant, R.
However, real gas does not absolutely obey the equation of state. A few modifications on
the ideal gas equation of state allow its application in the properties of real gas. When
energy is added within water, the increasing of activities among the molecules caused the
increase in the number of molecule escape from the surface until an equilibrium state is
reached. The state of equilibrium depends on the pressure between the water surface and
steam. The lower the pressure, the easier the molecules leaving the water surface and thus
less energy is required to achieve the state of equilibrium (boiling point). The temperature
where equilibrium occurs at a given pressure level is called saturated temperature. The
pressure where equilibrium occurs at a given temperature is called saturated pressure.
Marcet Boiler is used to investigate the relationship between the pressure and temperature
of saturated steam in equilibrium with water at all temperature levels between the
atmospheric pressure and 10 bars. The measured value of the slope of the graph (dT/dP)
obtained from the experiment results can be compared to the theoretical value determined
through calculation from the steam table.
Clausius-Clapeyron states:
Tvfg
dT
=

hfg
dP SAT
T (v g v f )
dT
=

h f hg
dP SAT

hfg = hg - hf

T(vf vg ) Tvg
dT
=
=

hfg
hfg
dP SAT

3. Experiment Methods and Materials

The apparatus used was a unit of Marcet Boiler and water. The unit of Marcet Boiler
consists of a stainless steel pressure vessel fitted with high pressure immersion electrical
heater, control panel, a safety relief valve, water inlet port & valve, Bourdon tube
pressure gauge, temperature and pressure measuring devices.
Before starting the experiment a quick inspection was performed to ensure the unit is in
proper operating condition. The unit of Marcet Boiler was later connected to the nearest
power supply. Valve at the feed port and the level sight tube were opened. After that, the
boiler was filled with distilled water through the feed port and the water level was made
sure to be at about half of the boilers height. Then, the valves at the level sight tube were
closed and the power supply is turned on.
The temperature controller was set at 185.0 C which is slightly above the expected
boiling point of the water at 10.0 bar(abs). The valve at feed port was opened and the
heater was turned on. The valve at the level sight tube are made sure to be closed before
turning on the heater as the sight tube is not designed to withstand high pressure and
temperature. The rise of steam temperature was observed as the water boils. The steam
from the valve was allowed to come out for 30 seconds before the valve was closed. This
step is important to remove air from the boiler as the accuracy of the experimental results
will be significantly affected if air is present. The steam temperature, gauge pressure at
1.00 bar (abs) and time taken for the steam to reach 1.00 bar (abs) were recorded. This
step was repeated by increase the interval of pressure with 0.5 bar (abs) until the steam
pressure reaches 10.0 bar (abs). After that, the heater was allowed to cool down to room
temperature. All the results were recorded and tabulated under the table below. Graph of
temperature against absolute pressure was plotted. Calculation of the slope of the graph
Tvfg
dT

versus P and
versus P was also plotted.
hfg
dP SAT

was made. Graph of

4. Data Analysis
The specific result from this experiment allows us to determine the relationship between
the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium.
Experimental Results
Pressure, P (bar)
Gauge
Absolute
0.00
1.00
0.50
1.50
1.00
2.00
1.50
2.50
2.00
3.00
2.50
3.50
3.00
4.00
3.50
4.50
4.00
5.00
5.00
6.00
5.50
6.50
6.00
7.00

Temperature, T
C
K
99.4
372.55
111.3
384.45
120.3
393.45
127.5
400.65
133.7
406.85
139.0
412.15
143.8
416.95
148.2
421.35
152.3
425.45
155.9
429.05
159.2
432.35
162.4
435.55

Time, t (S)

0
375
697
979
1228
1447
1645
1803
2015
2183
2337
2481

Measure Slope,
dT/dP
0.037
0.238
0.180
0.144
0.124
0.106
0.096
0.088
0.082
0.036
0.066
0.064

Calculated
Slope, Tvg/hfg
0.2793
0.1999
0.1580
0.1318
0.1137
0.1004
0.0901
0.0820
0.0754
0.0647
0.0607
0.0573

7.50
7.90
8.50
9.00
9.50
10.00
10.50
11.00

165.3
168.0
170.6
173.2
175.5
177.8
179.9
181.9

438.45
441.15
443.75
446.35
448.65
450.95
453.05
455.05

2620
2707
2871
2997
3113
3229
3338
3434

Graphof TemperatureversusPressure
500
450
400
350
300
Temperature(K) 250
200
150
100
50
0

1
1
.5
2
.5
2
3
.5
3
4
.5
4
5
6
.5
6
7
.5
7
.9
7
.5
8
9
.5
9
0
1
.5
0
1
1

6.50
6.90
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
9.50
10.00

Pressure(abs bar)

0.058
0.068
0.043
0.052
0.046
0.046
0.042
0.040

0.0543
0.0519
0.0492
0.0470
0.0450
0.0433
0.0416
0.0401

Graph of dT/dPversusP andTvfg/hfgversusP

0.25

0.2

0.15

dT/dP

Slope

Tvfg/hfg
0.1

1
1
.5
2
.5
2
3
.5
3
4
.5
4
5
6
.5
6
7
.5
7
.9
7
.5
8
9
.5
9
0
1
.5
0
1

0.05

Pressure(abs bar)

5. Discussion
It is necessary to remove air form the boiler as this could affect the accuracy of the
experimental results. Based on the graphs, the relationship between pressure and
temperature is directly proportional while there is a small deviation between the
experimental slope and the theoretical slope. The percentage of error ranged form 0.3%
to 44%. Sources of errors are measurements or reading accuracy, room temperature and
pressure, the stability of materials and calculations. When the liquid absorbed enough
heat energy, it will change to vapour form. As the steam is not allowed to exit, it will
cause an increase in pressure and thus causing the temperature to increase. Applications
of Marcet Boiler include water boiler, gasifier, power plant and cooking utilities.
6. Conclusion
In this experiment, the relationship between pressure and temperature is found to be
directly proportional. When compared to the theoretical slope, the experimental slope
shows a small deviation between them because of certain errors. The percentage of error
ranged form 0.3% to 44% which can validate this experiment.