FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

“In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful”

Lab 06 : Marcet Boiler

BMM 3531 Eng. Thermodynamics Lab
Lab Instructors

Muhamad Zuhairi Sulaiman

Idris Bin Mat Sahat
Prof. Dr. K. V. Sharma
Amir Bin Abdul Razak
Mohd Razali Bin Hanipah

Lab Location
Thermodynamics Laboratory, FKM

Lab Outcomes

By the end of this lab, students should be able to:

1. Analyze the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated
steam in equilibrium with water.
2. Analyze the vapor pressure curve.

20 Student Name Student ID Section

100

Due Date: Delivered Date:

 Page 2 of 6

1.0 Introduction

Marcet Boiler is a bench top unit designed to study the basic principal in Thermodynamics which
associated with boiling phenomenon. Students will be able to study the relationship between the
pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium with water. The saturation pressure
curve can be determined at the pressure within 10 bar (150 lb/in2).

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics, which deals with the energy, and work of a system.
Thermodynamics deals only with the large-scale response of a system that we can observe and
measure in experiments. Small-scale gas interactions are described by the kinetic theory of gasses,
which is a compliment to thermodynamics.

An ideal gas can be characterized by three state variables: absolute pressure (P), volume (V), and
absolute temperature (T). The relationship between them may be deduced from kinetic theory and is
called the Ideal Gas Law. The ideal gas law was originally determined empirically and is simply.

PV=nRT [Equation 1.0]

Where:

P = Absolute pressure
V = Volume
n = Amount of substance (moles)
R = Ideal gas constant
T = Absolute temperature (K)

If a gas behaves exactly as the ideal gas laws would predict it to behave in terms of volume, pressure,
moles, and temperature, then the gas is said to be an ideal gas. On the other hand, the gas deviates
from Ideal Gas behavior, then the gas is said to be acting like a "real gas".

When energy increases within water, the increasing of activities among the molecules enables the
increase in the number of molecule escape from the surface until an equilibrium state is reached.
The state of equilibrium depends on the pressure between the water surface and steam. At lower
pressure, the molecules become easier leaving the water surface while less energy required in
achieving the state of equilibrium (boiling point). The temperature where equilibrium occurs at a
given pressure level is called saturated temperature.
Marcet Boiler has been developed for investigating the relationship between the pressure and
temperature of saturated steam, in equilibrium with water, at all pressures between atmospheric and
10 bar(abs) (147 lb/in²).

The measured value of the slope of the graph (dT/dP) SAT obtained from the practical results can be
compared with corresponding values calculated from the data in steam tables. Clausius-Clapeyron
states:
 Page 3 of 6

 dT  Tv fg
   [Equation 2.0]
 dP  SAT h fg

 dT  T (v f  v g )
   [Equation 3.0]
 dP  SAT h f  hg

And hf + hfg = hg [Equation 4.0]

Hence, hfg = hg - hf [Equation 5.0]

 dT  T (v f  v g ) T (v g )
    [Equation 6.0]
 dP  SAT h fg h fg

As vg >> vf

In which:

vf = specific volume of saturated liquid

vg = specific volume of saturated vapor
hf = enthalpy of saturated liquid
hg = enthalpy of saturated vapor
hfg = latent heat of vaporization

2.0 Unit Design

The unit consists of a stainless steel pressure vessel fitted with high pressure immersion electrical
heater. The unit also comes together with a safety relief valve, temperature and pressure measuring
devices. Water inlet valve is installed to allow water charging.

The unit comes with temperature and pressure transducers so that students will be able to read the
respective values on the digital indicator easily. The water heater is protected from burnout by
setting the maximum operating temperature with a temperature controller.

2.1 Description and Assembly

Marcet Boiler (Model: HE169) consists of mainly the following items:

2.1.1 Pressure Vessel

Capacity : 5 Liter
Material : Stainless Steel 304
Design Pressure : 30 bar
Operating Pressure : 10 bar
Certification : DOSH Certified
 Page 4 of 6

2.1.2 Pressure Gauge

Type : Bourdon Tube

Range : 0 – 25 Bar(g)

Pressure Transducer

Wetted Material : Stainless Steel

Case Material : Stainless Steel
Range : 0 – 16 Bar(g)

2.1.4 Temperature Sensor

Type : RTD (Class A)

Range : 0 – 200°C

Safety Features!!

** Pressure Relief Valve (Set at 10 bar), Temperature Controller (Set at 179.0°C)

2.2 Equipment and unit construction

1 6
2
7
3 8

4 9

10
5

Figure 1: Unit Construction for Marcet Boiler (Model: HE169)

 Page 5 of 6

Table 1: Components of HE169 Marcet Boiler

1. Pressure Transducer 6. Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge

2. Temperature Controller/Indicator 7. Temperature Sensor
3. Pressure Indicator 8. Pressure Relief Valve
4. Control Panel 9. Water Inlet Port & Valve
5. Bench 10. Heater

3.0 Experimental Procedure

3.1 General Start-up Procedures

i) Perform a quick inspection to ensure that the unit is in proper operating condition.
ii) Connect the unit to the nearest power supply.
iii) Open the valve at the water inlet port and fill the boiler with 3 liters of deionized water
if there is no water in the boiler. Then, close the valve.
iv) Turn on the power supply switch.
v) Now you are ready to carry on the experiment.

3.2 General Shut-down Procedures

i) Switch off the heater switch and allow the boiler temperature to drop to around 50°C.

Note: Do not open the valve at the water inlet port as high pressure steam may cause severe injury.

ii) Switch off the main switch and power supply.

iii) Retain the water next use.

3.3 Experimental Set-up

i) Check with the lab technician and make sure that the boiler is filled with water.
ii) Set the temperature 'set point' to 1790C.
iii) Open the valve at the water inlet port and switch on the heater switch.
iv) Wait for the steam output through the valve to ensure that there is no air trapped in
the boiler. Then, close the valve immediately.
v) Continue heating until the maximum gauge pressure reaches 9 bars(g).

Note: Do not open the valve at the water inlet port as when the boiler is heated.

vi) Then, let the boiler to cool down until room temperature.
vii) Record all temperature readings at different pressure settings of the boiler when the
boiler is heated and cooled.
 Page 6 of 6

3.4 Precaution Steps

a) All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and understood
before attempting to operate the unit.
b) Always check and rectify any leak.
c) Always make sure that the boiler vessel is filled with sufficient water to cover the
heater element (3 liters of water). It is not necessary to top up the water after this.
d) Do not touch the hot components of the unit. Be extremely careful when handling
liquid at high temperature.
e) If the unit is not to be run for long period, drain all water from the heater flange, then
clean the heater element with cloth.
f) Restore the system to operating conditions after any repair job; replace a new gasket if
necessary.
g) The unit requires no major maintenance. To prevent unnecessary damage to the unit,
always consult the manufacturer for any maintenance or repair work. Maintenance and
repair must be done by a well trained technician. Consult the manufacturer for any
replacement parts.

4.0 Results

Record required data for analysis

5.0 Discussions

List the results in the form of statements and numerical values.

a) Discuss the relation between temperature, T and absolute pressure, P.

b) Discuss and elaborate the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated
steam in equilibrium with water.

6.0 Question

i. State and briefly explain 3 of the applications of the boiler in industry

7.0 Conclusion

Based on the experiment, draw your own conclusion.

8.0 References

Write down your references accordingly with appropriate format.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to the following staffs for their contributions in preparing the laboratory sheet:
ii. Mohd Fairusham bin Ghazali - fairusham@ump.edu.my
iii. Mohd Yusof bin Taib - myusof@ump.edu.my
iv. Muhamad Zuhairi Bin Sulaiman – zuhairi@ump.edu..my