THOMSPSONS CALLORIMETER

Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics

ME1053

Semester 2
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Moratuwa
Sri Lanka

Name : A.K.I.Alwis
Index no : 200020N
Date of submission : 30/09/2022
Due date of submission : 30/09/2022
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Contents

Abstract .....................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................3

Theory ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Apparatus................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Procedure ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Calculations ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Results ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Discussion .................................................................................................................................................9

Conclusion ............................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

References ...............................................................................................................................................11

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Abstract

Here, determining a solid fuel's calorific value is the goal, and coal is used as an example. The calorific
value of coal is calculated using the Thompsons calorimeter, which measures time and temperature
while also taking into account heat exchanges. Additionally, a graph between time and temperature is
created here and examined. Radiative heat loss can be accounted for using Dickinson's approach.
While discussing appropriate alternative methods to ascertain the calorific value of various fuel types,
other methods of heat losses are further analyzed and causes for discrepancies are resolved.
Applications of thermodynamic engineering require a general understanding of heat transmission.

Introduction

The amount of energy in a fuel or food is measured by the amount of heat produced when a specific
amount, usually one kilogram, is completely burned. Typically, it is stated in terms of joules per
kilogram. Also known as the calorific power.

Understanding the importance of this concept of calorific value is essential for both daily living and
several industrial applications. What we eat on a daily basis is directly related to this idea. To maintain
a healthy weight and be disease-free, we must consume the recommended daily calorific value based
on our height and weight. A suitable quantity will give us the energy we need to carry out our daily
chores without becoming overly exhausted or uncomfortable. The number of calories burned during
exercise and sports is a major factor, and the majority of the time, the timetable is based on it.

The concept of calorific value can be used in industrial settings to determine how much fuel is required
to produce a given amount of energy. Material engineers can select the best component for industrial
applications by taking into account the quantity, cost, and time factors. Therefore, this has anything to
do with the idea of efficiency. Since they are related, a high calorific value corresponds to a higher
efficiency and vice versa.

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Theory

The term "heating value" or "calorific value" refers to the amount of energy produced when a specific
amount of a substance, frequently a fuel, is burned. Common ways to express a substance's calorific
value in terms of its mass include (Cal/kg), (kJ/kg), (J/mol), etc. The quantity of heat created during
the combustion of a substance can be calculated by measuring the rise in temperature of the
calorimeter, which is how calorific value is often evaluated.

( Heat released by coal ) = ( Heat absorbed by calorimeter ) + ( Heat absorbed by water )

m × cv = mcal × Scal × ∆T + mw × Sw × ∆T
Heat released by coal = m × cv
Heat absorbed by calorimeter = mcal × Scal × ∆T
Heat absorbed by water = mw × Sw × ∆T
Where ,
m = mass of coal
mcal = mass of calorimeter
mw = mass of water
cv = calorific value of coal
Scal = specific heat capacity of calorimeter
Sw = specific heat capacity of water
∆T = temperature difference (T2 – T1)
T2 = maximum temperature occurred during the experiment observed from the graph
T1 = initial temperature of the system

So,

Calorific value of the coal ( cv ) = ( ( mcal × Scal × ∆T ) + ( mw × Sw × ∆T )) / m

Units of calorific value – kJkg-1

For combustion to occur properly, oxygen is needed. Therefore, oxygen is produced via the burning
reactions of KNO3 and KClO3.

KNO3 2KNO2 + O2

KClO3 2KClO2 + O2

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Apparatus

• Coal
• Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)
• Potassium Chlorate (KClO3)
• Water
• Measuring Cylinder
• Thompson Calorimeter
• Nitrate Paper
• Furnace tube
• Thermometer
• Stopwatch
• Stopcock

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Procedure

1. The 2g of coal that is provided must be finely powdered.

2. Potassium Nitrate (6.5g) and Potassium Chlorate (19.5g) must then be added and ground with a
pestle and mortar as needed. To grade the mixture and make sure it is thoroughly
homogeneous, it should take around 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Next, the mixture was carefully inserted into the furnace tube after the nitrate paper had been
carefully inserted into it. The mixture must be inserted such that it completely surrounds the
nitrate paper in all directions. (Keep the nitrate paper at the middle and add the mixture to the
both sides)
4. A thermometer and 2000ml of water were added to the measuring cylinder. Once the reading is
stable, the thermometer is used to measure the water's initial temperature.
5. Following the ignition of the nitrate paper fuse, the cover was fastened with the stopcock closed
before being swiftly submerged in the 200ml of water. The stopwatch was then immediately
started.
6. The thermometer reading was then taken and recorded every 30 seconds. The data were taken
for a period of time (about 30 minutes) until the temperature dropped a bit.
7. The calorimeter was moved up and down while readings were being taken in order to mix the
water.
8. Once the bubbles ended, the stopwatch was also paused. The bubbles stopping is a sign that the
combustion has finished.
9. Using the given wire metal, the tube was cleaned.

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Calculations

Mass of calorimeter(mc) = 450.48 g

Mass of mixture = 27.62 g
Actual mass of coal = 1.973 g
Initial temperature of water (Tmin) = 31.02 oC
Specific heat capacity of water (water) = 4200 Jkg-1K -1
Specific heat capacity of Copper (cu) =450 Jkg-1K -1
Density of water = 1000 kgm-3
Mass of water (mw) = 2 kg
Mass of water (mw) = 2 kg
ϴ = Tmax - Tmin = 36.77 – 31.02 oC
= 5.75 oC
Calorific Value of coal = [( 2x 4200) + (0.45048 x 450) ] x 5.75 / 1.973 x 10-3
= 25071.27 kJkg-1

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Results

Temperature
37

36

35

34

33

32

31
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Temperature 2 per. Mov. Avg. (Temperature)

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Discussion

When performing this practical, we made the assumption that the heat emitted by coal combustion is
equal to the total of the heats absorbed by water and the calorimeter. But in reality, it is incorrect. Heat
may somehow escape to the surroundings. In order to confirm that our assumption was accurate, we
must reduce that heat loss.

We polished the calorimeter's outside to reduce heat loss from radiation. We can lessen the heat loss by
conduction by insulating the calorimeter with an insulating substance. We can lessen the heat loss via
convection by covering the entire apparatus with a lid made of an insulating material.

To ensure proper coal combustion, the sample must be given oxygen. To get the necessary oxygen, we
therefore combined coal with potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate. The reaction of potassium
nitrate inside the tube releases heat into the environment. Inside the tube, a reaction involving
potassium chlorate absorbs heat from the environment. Because of this, we assumed that the heat
produced by the reaction between potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate was absorbed. Therefore,
these reactions have no impact on the assumptions we used when calculating the solid's calorific value.

Coal should have a calorific value of 30500–30800 kJ/kg. However, this experiment yielded a different
result. There may be a few causes for this discrepancy. The heat loss to the surroundings is the primary
cause. When we sift the mixture and combine the chemicals with the coal, mistakes can happen. When
we obtain chemical weights, there may also be inaccuracies. We may have utilized tainted chemicals.
Additionally, coal may not burn completely. These mistakes also had an impact on our experiment.

Finding the calorific value of firewood :-

To begin, use a pestle and mortar to ground the sample of firewood. Next, mix in the
appropriate amounts of potassium chlorate and nitrate. Sift it after that, and then add a piece of nitrate
paper to the mixture before packing it into the furnace tube. Fill a measuring cylinder with 2 liters of
water, insert a thermometer, and record the initial temperature as we did in the experiment. The rest
of the process is then carried out just as before. The computations can be completed as follows

Energy released by m g of wood = Q kJ

Mass of water = mw

Mass of calorimeter = mcal

Specific heat of water = Sw

Specific heat of calorimeter = Scal

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Energy released by firewood(Q) = energy absorbed by water + energy absorbed by calorimeter

m*c = (mw × Sw + mcal × Scal) * ∆θ

Calorific value of wood (c) = (Q / m) * 1000

(mw ×Sw + mcal × Scal) ∆θ × 1000

= kJkg-1
m

There are some other important methods to determine the calorific value of a given solid fuel.

1. Bomb Calorimeter.
2. Marcet’s Boiler.
3. Separation & Throttling.
4. Boy’s Calorimeter.
Dickinson method
The Dickson's approach was developed to increase the accuracy of the experiment's findings by
accounting for the heat losses to the surrounding environment in the calorimetric data.

T1 – Maximum value of the graph

T2 – Value acquired by extending the gradient of heat transfer (Temperature Change) to intersect the Y-
axis.

Tmax = (T1 + T2)/2

Tmin – Minimum Temperature

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Conclusion

• The actual calorific value of a particular solid fuel may differ from its theoretical calorific
value. It is possible to reduce heat loss and determine precise values for various solid fuels
by taking specific precautions to prevent heat loss to the environment and by employing
techniques like the Dickinson's approach.
• There are numerous approaches to calculate the calorific value, and the most effective one
depends on the type of solid fuel being used.
• We also distinguish between two different calorific values for the same solid fuel: the gross
calorific value, which is higher, and the net calorific value, which is lower.
• If we use extra compounds, their addition or removal must also be taken into account in any
thermodynamic process that considers heat exchanges, or another suitable compound must
be added to the mixture in order to neutralize the net heat transfer through these
components.
• Calorific value is very important characteristic of a fuel.

References

• Anon, 2013. Thomson Calorimeter. THOMSON CALORIMETER. Available at:

http://engipractical.blogspot.com/2013/01/thomson-calorimeter-experiment-thomson.html
[Accessed September 29, 2022].
• Man, W., 1970. Thompson's calorimeter. THOMPSON'S CALORIMETER. Available at:
http://mechanical-student.blogspot.com/2012/10/thompsons-calorimeter.html [Accessed
September 29, 2022].

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