Engineering Thermodynamics Sessional

Expt. No: 01

Expt. Name:
Study of determination of Calorific Value
of Fuels by using Bomb Calorimeter
 Aim

To study determination of Calorific Value of

Fuels by using Bomb calorimeter.
Apparatus
 Theory

calorific value or heating value:

calorific value or heating value of the fuel is defined as
the energy liberated by the complete combustion of a
unit mass or volume of a fuel. It is expressed in kJ/kg
for solid and liquid fuels and kJ/m3 for gases.
Higher or Gross Calorific Value (HCV):

If a fuel contains hydrogen as content in it and if it reacts with

oxygen during the combustion process, the product
of combustion also contain water vapor. If this water vapor if
condensed at the temperature at which fuel and oxygen are
supplied, vapor will be condensed in water form and gives off its
latent energy. This is addition to the energy liberated by unit
mass fuel. Thus this is called gross or higher calorific value. 

Lower or Net Calorific Value (LCV):

If water vapor as product of combustion is not condensed in
water form, the net energy obtained by complete combustion of
unit quantity of fuel is called lower calorific or net calorific
value. 
 Bomb calorimeter:
The calorific value of
solid and liquid fuels is
determined in the
laboratory by ‘Bomb
calorimeter’. It is so
named because its
shape resembles that
of a bomb. Fig. shows
the schematic sketch
of a bomb calorimeter.

The heat released by the fuel on combustion is absorbed

by the surrounding water and the calorimeter.
 RESULT

Hence we study the Boys gas calorimeter for

determination of calorific value of gaseous fuel.