LAB MANUAL

PETROLEUM CHEMISTRY-102

Experiment Number: 4

 Aishah Nadeem Reg no 2023-PET-7

 Muhammad Fahad Reg no 2023- PET -10
 Ahmad Maarij Reg no 2023- PET -14
 Tehmaan Tariq Reg no 2023- PET -18
 Ahmad Hassan Reg no 2023- PET -28
 Yousaf Waseem Reg no 2023- PET -27

Submitted to:
Ma’am Arjumand

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM & GAS ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY LAHORE

 Lab Manual

Petroleum Chemistry – 102

Experiment no. 3: To calibrate the provided apparatus to minimize systematic error.

Basic Principle:
The basic principle of calibrating an apparatus to minimize systematic error is to align its
measurements with a known reference standard, ensuring accurate and reliable readings across the
instrument's range
Theory:
Systematic error can be difficult to identify and correct. Given a particular experimental procedure
and setup, it doesn't matter how many times you repeat and average your measurements; the error
remains unchanged. No statistical analysis of the data set will eliminate a systematic error, or even
alert you to its presence. Systematic error can be located and minimized with careful analysis and
design of the test conditions and procedure; by comparing your results to other results obtained
independently, using different equipment or techniques; or by trying out an experimental
procedure on a known reference value, and adjusting the procedure until the desired result is
obtained (this is called calibration).
The first step in calibrating the scale, therefore, is to adjust the scale to read zero when there is
nothing on it. The second step is to see what it reads with a known weight on it. This second
calibration point should be as far from the first as feasible, to establish an accurate calibration
curve. This known weight could be obtained by weighing yourself on a scale known to be highly
accurate (in a doctor's office, for example), and then immediately weighing yourself on the
bathroom scale. Suppose that the true weight is known to be 160 pounds, and the scale reading
averages 150 pounds. Some instruments have a range adjustment to correct this error, but
bathroom scales generally don't. Instead, you would note that the true weight is 6.7% higher than
what the scale reads, and the calibration would be complete. If the scale read 75 pounds, you'd
know that the true weight was 80 pounds, and so forth.
If the scale was not linear, you would have to use many different calibration weights to produce a
well-defined calibration curve. Not surprisingly, engineers use linear measurement equipment
whenever possible. Even if the scale were somewhat nonlinear, you could still get good accuracy
in the region of your weight with only two calibration points. For example, if you weigh 160
pounds, you could calibrate the scale at 155 and 165 pounds, and be reasonably certain that the
slope of the calibration curve would not change significantly over a 10 lb. interval. Far outside
that interval, though, the scale could be quite inaccurate.
Application:
1. Scientific Research:
 In scientific experiments, calibrated instruments are crucial for obtaining accurate
data. Whether in physics, chemistry, biology, or any other field, precise
measurements are essential for meaningful research outcomes.
2. Quality Control in Manufacturing:
 Industries heavily rely on calibrated instruments for quality control purposes.
Calibration ensures that manufacturing processes meet specified standards, leading
to the production of consistent and reliable products.
3. Medical Instruments:
 Medical equipment, such as thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and imaging
devices, must be accurately calibrated to provide reliable diagnostics and treatment.
Patient safety and effective healthcare depend on accurate measurements.
4. Environmental Monitoring:
 Instruments used for environmental monitoring, such as weather stations, air quality
sensors, and water testing devices, require calibration to ensure the accuracy of data
collected. This is crucial for understanding and mitigating environmental issues.
5. Aviation and Aerospace:
 Instruments used in aviation and aerospace, including altimeters, gyroscopes, and
navigation systems, undergo rigorous calibration to guarantee precision in flight
measurements and ensure the safety of air travel.
6. Metrology and Standards Laboratories:
 Calibration laboratories play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining
measurement standards. These laboratories calibrate reference standards and
instruments used across various industries, providing a basis for traceability and
accuracy.
7. Material Testing and Analysis:
 Instruments used in material testing, such as hardness testers, spectrometers, and
rheometers, require precise calibration to accurately determine material properties.
This is crucial in industries like materials science and engineering.
8. Energy Sector:
 Instruments used for energy measurement, such as power meters and flow meters,
are calibrated to ensure accurate billing, efficient energy distribution, and
compliance with regulatory standards.
 9. Food and Pharmaceutical Industries:
 Instruments in these industries, such as pH meters, spectrophotometers, and
weighing scales, undergo calibration to guarantee the accuracy of production
processes and adherence to quality standards.
10. Automotive Testing and Research:
 Instruments used in automotive testing, such as dynamometers and emission
analyzers, require calibration to ensure accurate measurements for performance
evaluation, emissions testing, and compliance with regulations.
Limitations:
1. Cost and Resources:
 Calibration processes can be resource-intensive and may involve costs associated
with reference standards, calibration equipment, and trained personnel.
2. Frequency of Calibration:
 Instruments may need frequent calibration, especially in dynamic environments,
which can disrupt continuous operations or experiments.
3. External Conditions:
 Changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can affect
instrument performance, requiring regular adjustments and recalibrations.
4. Human Error:
 The calibration process itself can introduce errors, particularly if not performed
carefully. Human errors during calibration can compromise the accuracy of the
instrument.
5. Limited Range of Calibration:
 Some instruments may have a limited range of calibration, and their accuracy
might decline outside this range.
6. Instrument Aging:
 Over time, instruments may undergo wear and tear, affecting their performance
and necessitating more frequent calibration.
7. Calibration Transfer:
 Ensuring the consistency of calibration across different instruments or laboratories,
known as calibration transfer, can be challenging and may introduce additional
uncertainties.
8. Complex Instruments:
 Highly complex instruments may be challenging to calibrate, requiring specialized
knowledge and sophisticated equipment
Apparatus Required:

 Pipette 
 Scale 
 Measuring flask

Chemicals Required:

 Water 

Procedure:

 The empty flask was measure on the scale.

 10ml of water was measured and put in flask.

 The flask was again measured with the 10 ml and the reading was noted.

 This was repeated 4 times to get 5 concordant readings.

 The average and standard deviations were also measured.

Pre Cautions:
1. Follow recommended calibration intervals.
2. Use calibrated reference standards.
3. Allow for stabilization time.
Observations:
Weight of Empty Beaker = 32.4g
1ml of distilled water = 1.0g
Temperature of \water = 17oC

No. of Initial Reading (g) Final Reading (g) Difference (g)

Observations
1 32.4 42.4 10.0
2 32.4 42.1 9.7
3 32.4 42.3 9.9
4 32.4 42.1 9.7
5 32.4 42.2 9.8
Mean = 9.82 g
Calculations:
As 1ml = 1g

Standard Deviation =
= 0.13 g
Result = 9.82 ± 0.13 g , 9.82 ± 0.13 ml
Result:
The pipette was calibrated and the average volume was found to be 9.82 ± 0.13ml
