Smoke Point

Objective:
Determination of Smoke point of Kerosene, Diesel and Petrol.

Fuels Used:
1. Kerosene
2. Diesel
3. Petrol

Working Principle:
The principle of the method specified is burning the sample in an enclosed wick-fed lamp that is
calibrated daily against pure hydrocarbon blends of known smoke point and determining the maximum
height of flame that can be achieved with the test fuel without smoking to the nearest 0, 5 mm. The smoke
point is related to the hydrocarbon type composition of such fuels. Generally the more aromatic the fuel
the smokier the flame. A high smoke point indicates a fuel of low smoke producing tendency.

Literature review:
The smoke point is the maximum flame height in millimeters at which fuel will burn without smoking,
tested under standard conditions, this test method provides an indication of the relative smoke producing
properties fuels in a diffusion flame. The smoke point is related to the hydrocarbon type composition of
such fuels. Generally the more aromatic the fuel the smokier the flame. A high smoke point indicates a
fuel of low smoke producing tendency.
As the wick of a yellow-flame type lamp is turned up, a point is reached where smoking occurs.
Therefore, the degree of illumination possible depends mainly on the height of the nonsmoking flame
obtainable. This height varies according to the hydrocarbon type composition of the fuel. The maximum
height of flame obtainable without smoking, termed the "smoke point." is greatest with paraffins.
Considerably lower with naphthenic and much lower still with aromatics. As the smoke point is high
like the paraffinic compounds it will have low smoking tendency (less able to produce smoke). Inversely,
the low smoke point like in aromatic compounds has high smoking tendency to produce smoke.
Smoking tendency can be calculated by the simple formula below:
𝑆𝑚𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑐𝑒𝑦= 320/𝑆𝑚𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑚
In order to gain a better understanding of flames, a burning candle can be used as an example. When the
candle is lit, the heat of the match melts the wax, which is carried up the wick and vaporized by the heat.
As it is broken down by the heat, the vaporized wax combines with the oxygen of the surrounding air and
produces heat and light in the form of a flame.
The innermost, no luminous zone is composed of a gas/air mixture at a comparatively low temperature.
In the second luminous zone, hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) two of many products from the
decomposition of the wax) react with oxygen to form combustion products, which include water (H2O)
and carbon dioxide (CO2). In this zone, the temperature of the flame is 590–680 °C (1,094–1,256 °F),
which is sufficiently intense to dissociate the gases in the flame and produce free carbon particles. These
particles are heated to incandescence and then consumed. Outside the luminous zone is a third, invisible
zone in which the remaining CO and H2 are finally consumed. This zone is not visible to the human eye.
Figure below shows the temperature distribution through the flame of a burning candle
Apparatus and Materials:
 Smoke point lamp.
 Wick of flame.
 Fuel compartment.
 Candle.
 Sample of kerosene, petrol and diesel fuel.
 Glass lid/cover

Exhaust / Outlet Of burnt fuel

Measuring scale
Flame

Fuel compartment

Iron stand

Smoke point lamp

Procedure:
1. Clean the apparatus.
2. Note down zero error, if any.
3. The candle is lighted and brought near the fuel so that flame appears.
4. Now we adjusted the Vick of flame on the scale.
5. After burning, the vick of fuel raised until a smoky tail appears. Or simply flame will split into
different color zones.
6. The maximum height of flame that can be achieved without smoking is determined to the nearest 5-7
cm as per limitations of the instrument.
7. By following the above procedure: we replaced kerosene, diesel & petrol one by one and measure
their corresponding flame height on the scale.
8. Simultaneously, we recorded the values in table.
Observations and calculations:
H=Measured Height
E= Zero error
h=Net height/actual height
h=H-E
Table:
Sr Fuel Used Smoke Point Average Smoke Smoke
no# point (cm) Tendency
h=H-E
(320/ smoke
(cm) point in mm)

5.2-1.4=3.8
1. Kerosene Oil 3.7 320
5.0-1.4=3.6 = 8.64
37

3.8-1.4=2.4
2. Diesel Oil 2.65 320
4.3-1.4=2.9 = 12.07
265

5.1-1.4=3.7
3. Petrol 3.45 320
4.6-1.4=3.2 = 9.27
345

Result and Conclusion:

Factors that affect measurement of smoke point:
 1. Environmental conditions.
2. Calibration of instrument.
3. Considering zero error.
4. Do not provide angle/inclination to the burring flame.
5. The greater the smoke point, the better the burning quality.

In this apparatus, a mirror is provided to position the flame in the center such that the straight
height of the flame can be measured in a graduated scale.
Smoke is produced mainly due to the presence of carbon and heavy hydrocarbon particles in the
flue gas.

The presence of aromatic hydrocarbons contributes carbon atoms when burnt. In the refinery,
aromatic hydrocarbons are removed by extraction to a desirable extent so that the smoke point
becomes greater.

Hence, from experiment the Smoke tendency order is: Diesel > Kerosene > Petrol
References:
1. https://www.icheme.org/communities/subject_groups/safety%20and%20loss
%20prevention/re
sources/hazards%20archive/~/media/Documents/Subject%20Groups/Safety_Loss_Preve
ntion/ Hazards%20Archive/XII/XII-Paper-01.pdf
2. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy09osti/44040.pdf
3. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/
download;jsessionid=12E51E4E0EAF8D0AB616A54B99A37 9F4?
doi=10.1.1.132.3106&rep=rep1&type=pdf
4. http://iafss.org/publications/fss/7/569/view/fss_7-569.pdf
5. http://iafss.org/publications/fss/8/1217/view/fss_8-1217.pdf
 Aniline Point
Objective:
Determination of aniline point of given fuels.

Fuel used:
1) Diesel oil
2) Aniline
3) Kerosene Oil
4) Gasoline

Working Principle:
The relative aromatic content of oil is indicated by its aniline point because aniline has a
selective solvent action on hydrocarbons.
“Like Dissolve Like”; Oils having high aromatic content have low aniline point, since aniline is
an aromatic compound which is dissolved on heating by the aromatics in diesel oil and gasoline
etc.
Apparatus:
1) Measuring cylinder
2) Test Tube
3) Corks
4) Thermometer
5) Bunsen Burner
6) Test Tube Holder
7) 25 ml beaker

Literature Review:
The degree of solvent power of the petroleum product varies with types of hydrocarbons
included in it. The solvent powers for materials are related to the solvent power for aniline.
Aniline is at least partially soluble in almost all hydrocarbons and its degree of solubility in a
particular hydrocarbon increases as the temperature of mixture is increased. When the
temperature of complete solubility is reached, the mixture is a clear solution; at lower
temperatures, the mixture is turbid. The test procedure makes use of this characteristic by
measuring the temperature at which the mixture clouds as it is cooled.
The greater the solvent power of the hydrocarbon for aniline, the lower the temperature at which
cloudiness first appears. Usually, the paraffinic hydrocarbons have the least solvency for aniline
and consequently have the highest aniline points.
Aromatics have the greatest solvency and lowest aniline points while naphthenic materials are
intermediates between the paraffinic and the aromatics.

Procedure:
 • I clean the apparatus.
• I measured 25 ml of Aniline and 25 ml of Kerosene in a beaker.
• I mixed both Aniline and Kerosene into a test tube.
• I fitted a cork on the opening of the test tube and also inserted a thermometer in it.
• Then I heated the tube slowly while stirring the until a homogenous solution appears.
• I stopped heating.
• I continued stirring until aniline-oil mixture becomes cloudy.
• I noted the thermometer temperature at cloud point and report aniline point in °C.

Result:
Sr. Given Fuel OR Sample Aniline Point
No. analyzed (0C)
1 Petrol 51
2 Kerosene Oil 56
3 Diesel Oil 73

Result and Conclusion:

Aniline Point states that, the solvent power of gasoline is greater than other fuels used in LAB as
the noted temperature for gasoline is the least one.
1) Aniline Point for Petrol= 51 0C
2) Aniline Point for Kerosene Oil = 56 0C
3) Aniline Point for Diesel Oil = 73 0C

Conclusion:
1) Aniline sample was no labeled thus we suffered but later on the lab attendant stated that
this sample is aniline and we used it as given because there were so many compounds and
chemicals in LAB and we couldn’t test each and every chemical to see which one was
Aniline; as it was a very time-consuming deal.
2) The temperature fluctuation were so vigorous that it changed about 2-3 0C with the
fraction of seconds.

References:
1. http://www.uft.org/chapters/lab-specialists/lab-safety-rules-for-students
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/ac50079a028
2. https://books.google.com.pk/books?
id=aECNDBbw6e8C&pg=PA22&dq=aniline+point&hl=
en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHsb3ajKPaAhUGMuwKHR72BJEQ6AEIKzAB
 Engler Viscometer
Objective:
Measurement of kinematic Viscosity via Engular Viscometer.

Fuels Used:
1. Diesel.
2. Glycerin.
3. Water

Working Principle:
The fuel is heated via water bath, after attaining desired temperature the fuel outlet, at the bottom, is
opened. From this outlet opening, the liquid fuel is poured into the beaker. “More viscous fluid requires
more time to be poured completely into the beaker”. Time elapsed by the fluid at a particular temperature,
determines its viscosity.

Apparatus description:
It consists of two concentric metal compartments/ containers. One container is placed inside the other.
One container serves as a fuel reservoir and the other as a water bath (for heating purpose). Water is
heated directly through thermostat electrically. A hole present in the middle of the compartment and as
well as in the lid of this compartment. A needle is used to cover that hole. When needle is removed, fuel
starts to flow outside and time elapsed to flow out of the compartment completely is then measured.

This whole apparatus is supported by tripod stand. Thermometers are used to measure the temperatures.

Procedure:

1. I clean the apparatus.

2. I filled the water in outside container up to the marked value.
 3. I filled fuel in inside container.
4. I covered the hole present in the bottom of the inside container via needle.
5. I covered the inside compartment via lid/cover.
6. I switched on the heater and after attaining desired temperature, stop heating and pour the
liquid into a beaker placed at outlet.
7. I used stop watch to calculate the time required to completely drain off the fuel out of the
inside compartment.
8. I measured viscosity w.r.t to this temperature.
9. I repeated the same procedure for different fuels at different temperatures.
10. I recorded time elapsed in table.

Observations and calculations:

A=0.0026 cm2
B=1.8 cm2
€ = Kinematic viscosity
€ = (A*t)-(B/t) t= Time elapsed in pouring 500 cm2 of fuel, out of the inside compartment,
into the beaker. T= Temperature
Table:
Sr No. T t € = (A*t)-(B/t)

0
C sec cm2/sec
50 30 0.0180
Kerosene Oil 80 28 0.0088
100 26.5 0.0021
50 33 0.0313
Diesel 80 31 0.0225
100 28 0.0085
Graph:
For kerosene Oil (Relation between Temperature and Viscosity):

0.02

0.015
Viscosity

0.01

0.005

0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Temperature

For Diesel (Relation between Temperature and Viscosity):

 0.035
0.03
0.025
0.02

Viscosity
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Temperature

Result and Discussion:

For Kerosene Oil:

€ (average) =0.0096

For Diesel:

€ (average) = 0.0207

Conclusion and discussion:

1. Diesel is more viscous as compared to Kerosene oil. Proof is that, without out starting
experiment we checked its fluidity at room temperature. Then by heating and
continuously changing its temperature we checked its viscosity. We found that viscosity
was varying w.r.t temperature.
2. At high temperatures the viscosity of the liquid fuels decreases.
Precaution:
At a temperature more than 100°C, the water will boil. So we cannot perform this test at a temperature
more than 100°C.