CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Carig Campus
College of Engineering

CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

CHEM111

UNIT II
ENERGY: FUELS
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit, the students will be able to:
1. Differentiate a Bomb calorimeter from a Boy’s calorimeter.
2. Calculate the calorific values of fuels tested in a calorimeter.
CONTENTS:
V. Calorimeters

INTRODUCTION
A calorimeter is defined as an apparatus/equipment used for calorimetry, the process of
measuring heat transfer associated with chemical reactions, physical changes, or phase changes. In
1761, Joseph Black introduced the concept of latent heat - energy released/absorbed by a
body/system when it undergoes constant-temperature processes - that lead to the creation of the
first ice-calorimeters. In 1780, Antoine Lavoisier observed a combustion process thru a gas exchange
from a guinea pig’s respiration to melt snow. And in 1782, Lavoisier and Pierre-Simon Laplace used
ice-calorimeters to measure the heat released from chemical reactions of melting ice to water.

V. CALORIMETER
(1) Bomb Calorimeter
This calorimeter is used to determine the calorific value of solid fuels and non-volatile liquid
fuels. It consists of a cylindrical stainless-steel vessel called a ‘bomb’ which is capable of
withstanding high pressure. The bomb is provided with a lid that contains two stainless steel
electrodes and an inlet valve where oxygen can be filled up to 25 atmospheric pressures (25 atm).
The crucible, made of stainless steel or nickel or silica, is then placed over a ring that is attached
to one of the electrodes. A fine magnesium wire touching the weighed fuel sample is stretched
across the electrodes. The electrodes are then connected to a 6 V battery to complete the circuit.
Upon switching on the current, an electric spark is produced which initiates the sample to burn
in oxygen.
The copper-calorimeter is provided with an electrically operated stirrer and a Beckmann’s
thermometer. This, calorimeter, in-turn, is surrounded by an air-Jacket and then another water-
jacket to prevent heat losses due to radiation. Heat is liberated during combustion causing an
increase in the temperature of water.

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 1 of 7

 Figure 2b.5.1 Bomb calorimeter components

Given that
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑚 (𝑖𝑛 𝑔)
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑊 (𝑖𝑛 𝑔)
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏, = 𝑤 (𝑖𝑛 𝑔)
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑡𝑐.
𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑡1
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑡2
𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 = 𝑚 𝑥 𝐻𝐶𝑉
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑡𝑐. = (𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )

Since the calorimeter is a closed system:

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 = 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅
𝑚 × 𝐻𝐶𝑉 = (𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )
Thus,
(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔𝑚 𝑬𝒒. (𝟐𝒃. 𝟓. 𝟏)
𝑚

Recall from the previous module that in combustion, 1 part of H gives 9 parts of water and the
latent heat of steam is 587 kcal/kg. Let H be the % of hydrogen in the fuel then

𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 0.09𝐻 × 587 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔𝑚

The following correction factors are considered on calculation of calorific value:

(a) Fuse wire corrections, 𝑪𝑭 : It is the correction due to the heat liberated upon ignition of
fuse wire.
(b) Cotton thread correction, 𝑪𝑪𝑻 : It is the correction made by the weight of dry cotton thread
used for firing.
(c) Acid correction, 𝑪𝑨 : It is the correction due to the heat formed from the oxidation of 𝑁 and
𝑆 present in the fuel to form nitric (𝐻𝑁𝑂3 ) and sulfuric (𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 ) acids, respectively.
𝑆 + 𝑂2 ⟶ 𝑆𝑂2 𝐸𝑞. (𝑎)

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 2 of 7

 2 𝑆𝑂2 + 𝑂2 + 2 𝐻2 𝑂 ⟶ 2 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 + 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐸𝑞. (𝑏)
2 𝑁 + 2 𝐻 + 3 𝑂2 ⟶ 2 𝐻𝑁𝑂3 + 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝐸𝑞. (𝑐)
Equations (b) and (c) are exothermic reactions, processes that releases energy to the
surroundings in the form of heat or light. And since the heat liberated from these exothermic
reactions is not obtained by the use of fuel, the correction must be made in order to calculate
for the heat liberated in the bomb minus the formation of these acids.

(d) Cooling correction, 𝑪𝒄 : It is the correction due to the rate and time taken for cooling of
water in calorimeter from maximum temperature attained to the room temperature. If the
rate of cooling is degree per minute and the actual time taken for cooling is 𝑡 then cooling
correction (𝐶𝑐 = 𝑡 × 𝑑𝑡) must be added to the rise in temperature (𝑡2 − 𝑡1 ).

Considering the correction factors, Eq. 9 becomes

(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 + 𝐶𝑐 ) − (𝐶𝐴 + 𝐶𝐹 + 𝐶𝐶𝑇 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔𝑚 𝑬𝒒 . (𝟐𝒃. 𝟓. 𝟐)
𝑚

Example 2.5.1 Upon burning 0.83 𝑔 of a solid fuel in a bomb calorimeter, the temperature of
3500 𝑔 of water was increased from 26.5 °𝐶 to 29.2 °𝐶; water equivalent of calorimeter and
latent heat of steam are 385 and 587 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔, respectively. If the fuel contains 0.7% 𝐻, calculate
HCV and NCV.
Solution:
(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑚
(385 + 3500)(29.2 − 26.5)
=
0.83
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 12,638 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 0.09𝐻 × 𝐿

= 12,638 − [(0.09 × 0.7) × 587]
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 12,601 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

Example 2.5.2 0.85 g of a fuel is burnt completely in excess supply of oxygen. The increase
in temperature of water in the calorimeter containing 1800 g of water was found to be 3 °C.
Calculate the higher calorific value of the fuel. Given that the water equivalent of calorimeter,
etc. is 180 g.
Solution:
(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑚
(1800 + 180)(3)
=
0.85
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 6988.23 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

Example 2.5.3 The following data is obtained in a Bomb calorimeter experiment:

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 = 3.649 𝑔
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 + 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 = 4.687 𝑔

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 3 of 7

 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 570 𝑔
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 2200 𝑔
𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 2.3 °𝐶
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.047 °𝐶
𝐴𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 62.6 𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐹𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 3.8 𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐶𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 1.6 𝑐𝑎𝑙

Calculate the gross calorific value of the fuel sample. If the fuel contains 6.5% hydrogen,
determine the net calorific value.

Solution:
(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 + 𝐶𝑐 ) − (𝐶𝐴 + 𝐶𝐹 + 𝐶𝐶𝑇 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑚
(2200 + 570)(2.3 + 0.047) − (62.6 + 3.8 + 1.6)
=
(4.687 − 3.649)
(2770 × 2.347) − 68
=
1.038
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 6197 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

Since the fuel contains 6.5% hydrogen

𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 0.09𝐻 × 587
= 6197 − [(0.09 × 6.5) × 587]
= 6197 − 343.4
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 5853.6 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔
Example 2.5.4 A sample of coal containing 80% C, 15% H, and 5% ash is tested in bomb
calorimeter. The following results were obtained.
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑡 = 0.98 𝑔
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 = 1000 𝑔
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 2500 𝑔
𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 2.5 °𝐶
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.02 °𝐶
𝐹𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 8.0 𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐴𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 50.0 𝑐𝑎𝑙

Assuming the latent heat of condensation of steam as 580 cal/g, calculate the (i) Higher and
(ii) Lower calorific value of the fuel.

Solution:
(𝑊 + 𝑤)(𝑡2 − 𝑡1 + 𝐶𝑐 ) − (𝐶𝐴 + 𝐶𝐹 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑚
(1000 + 2500)(2.5 + 0.02) − (50 + 8)
=
0.98
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 8940.82 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 4 of 7

 𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 0.09𝐻 × 587
= 8940.82 − [(0.09 × 15) × 580]
= 8940.82 − 783
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 8157.82 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

(2) Boy’s Gas Calorimeter

This calorimeter is used to determine the calorific values of gaseous fuels and volatile
liquid fuels. Its design is based on counterflow heat exchangers where gaseous fuel is burnt at a
constant rate along with water circulating in the copper coil. The rate of combustion and water
circulation are adjusted based on the outgoing temperature at atmospheric pressure. The heat
produced from combustion is absorbed by the cooling water and the increase in its temperature
is recorded. The steam formed is condensed back into water and its mass is recorded after
collection under steady condition.

Figure 2b.5.2 Boy’s calorimeter components

Let
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑁𝑇𝑃 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡 = 𝑉
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡 = 𝑊
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡/𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑇1
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑇2
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡 (𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚) = 𝑀
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 = 𝑉 × 𝐻𝐶𝑉
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑊(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )

The same assumptions made in the previous type of calorimeter can be considered true here,
thus,
𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 = 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒆𝒅
𝑉 × 𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 𝑊(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 𝑊(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
𝑬𝒒. (𝟐𝒃. 𝟓. 𝟑)
𝑉
Considering,
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 1 𝑚3 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠 = 𝑀 𝑘𝑔
,
𝑉 𝑚3

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 5 of 7

 𝐿𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚3 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠, 𝐿 = 𝑀
× 587, 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝑉
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 𝐿
𝑀 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑬𝒒. (𝟐𝒃. 𝟓. 𝟒)
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − [ × 587] ( 3 )
𝑉 𝑚

Example 2.5.5 The following were obtained in a Boy’s gas calorimeter experiment:

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑉 = 0.1 𝑚3 𝑎𝑡 𝑆𝑇𝑃

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑, 𝑊 = 50 𝑘𝑔
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑇1 = 20 °𝐶
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑇2 = 30 °𝐶
𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑, 𝑀 = 0.15 𝑘𝑔

Calculate the higher and lower calorific value per 𝑚3 at STP. Take the heat liberated in
condensing water vapour and cooling the condensate as 580 kcal/kg.

Solution:
𝑊(𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )
𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑉
50 × (30 − 20)
=
0.1
𝐻𝐶𝑉 = 5, 000 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚3

𝑀
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − ( × 580)
𝑉
0.15
= 5, 000 − ( × 580)
0.10
= 5, 000 − 870
𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 4, 130 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚3
.
Self-Learning Assessment 2.11
1. A sample of coal containing 89% C, 8% H, 3% ash, when tested in the laboratory for its
calorific value in the bomb calorimeter, the following data were obtained:
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑡 = 0.85 𝑔
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 = 650 𝑔
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 2500 𝑔
𝑅𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 2.5 °𝐶
𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 0.03 °𝐶
𝐹𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 10 𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐴𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 50 𝑐𝑎𝑙

Assuming that the latent heat of condensation of steam as 580 cal/g, calculate (i) the
gross and (ii) the net calorific values of the coal in cal/g.

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 6 of 7

 2. The following data were obtained in a Boy’s gas calorimeter equipment.
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑎𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 0.2 𝑚3 𝑎𝑡 𝑆𝑇𝑃
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 = 56 𝑘𝑔
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 25 °𝐶
𝑇𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 35 °𝐶
𝑊𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 0.18𝑘𝑔

Calculate the higher and lower calorific value per 𝑚3 at ATP. Take the heat liberated
in condensing water vapor and cooling the condensate as 580 kcal/kg.

SUMMARY

(1) Bomb calorimeters are used to determine the calorific value of solid fuels and non-volatile
liquid fuels.
(𝑊+𝑤)(𝑡2 −𝑡1 +𝐶𝑐 )−(𝐶𝐴 +𝐶𝐹 +𝐶𝐶𝑇 ) 𝑐𝑎𝑙
i. 𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑚 𝑔

ii. 𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 0.09𝐻 × 587 𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑔

(2) The Boy’s gas calorimeter is used to determine the calorific value of gaseous fuels and liquid
fuels that vaporize easily.

𝑊(𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙

i. 𝐻𝐶𝑉 =
𝑉 𝑚3

𝑀 × 587
ii. 𝐿𝐶𝑉 = 𝐻𝐶𝑉 − 𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑚3
𝑉

References:
1. Goel, N. & Kumar, S. (2006). Concise Engineering Chemistry (2nd Ed). AITBS Publishers and
Distributors, India. ISBN 81-7473-233-2
2. Laurito, E. (1994). Stoichiometry of Fuel Combustion and Related Process Industries.
National Book Store, Inc., Philippines. ISBN 971-08-5782-7
Mukhopadhyay, R. & Datta, S. (2007). Engineering Chemistry. New Age International Limited
Publishers, India. ISBN 978-81-224-2872-8

Module 10_Fuels (Part 2): Page 7 of 7