Fixed Carbon

Objective:
Determine the amount of fixed carbon in the given sample of coal, and report
the proximate analysis of coal.
Apparatus and Materials:

• Hot surface ignitor. …

• Flame sensor. …
• Gas valve. …
• Burners. …
• Heat exchanger. …
 • Draft inducer motor

Procedure:
1. Obtain the sample that contains the carbon material you want to analyze.
2. Grind the sample into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle to ensure
uniformity.
3. Weigh an empty crucible and record its mass accurately.
4. Transfer a known amount of the powdered sample into the crucible.
5. Place the crucible in a muffle furnace set at a high temperature (typically
around 550-600°C) for a sufficient time to completely burn off the
organic material. This process converts all the carbon in the sample to
ash.
6. Allow the crucible to cool down in a desiccator to prevent moisture
absorption.
7. Weigh the crucible containing the ashed sample and record its mass.
8. The fixed carbon content obtained from the calculation represents the
percentage of carbon in the sample that remains after ashing. This value
is useful for characterizing the carbon content of the material being
analyzed.
9. Clean the crucible thoroughly before reuse to avoid contamination in
subsequent analyses.
10. By following these steps carefully, you can accurately determine the fixed
carbon content of your sample in the laboratory
Theory:
The theory of fixed carbon refers to the concept in chemistry where carbon atoms are
bonded together in a stable structure, typically forming long chains or rings. This theory
explains the behavior of carbon compounds, particularly in organic chemistry, where carbon
serves as the backbone of molecules. Fixed carbon is central to the understanding of organic
chemistry and is essential for studying reactions, structures, and properties of organic
compounds.

Observation and Calculation

Calculate the fixed carbon content using the
Fixed Carbon (%) = [(Mass of ashed sample – Mass of empty crucible) / Mass
of sample] x 100
%Moiture
%fixed carbon
%Ash
%Volatile matter

Result and Discussion: