Experimental Determination

of the Higher Calorific Value

 Experimental Determination of
the Higher Calorific Value
The analytical method for determining the
Higher Calorific Value gives approximate results
only.

The most satisfactory method for obtaining the

calorific value of the fuel is by actual experiment.

A known mass of the fuel is burnt into suitable

calorimeter, and the heat so evolved is found by
measuring the rise in temperature of the
surrounding water.
 Experimental Determination of
the Higher Calorific Value
The calorimeters used for finding there
calorific value of the fuel is known as fuel
calorimeter.

The following two calorific meters are

important from the subject point of view.

Bomb Calorimeter
Boys Calorimeter
Bomb Calorimeter
 Bomb Calorimeter-Introduction
It is used for the
higher calorific value
of the solid and Non-
Volatile liquid fuels.

In this calorimeter fuel

is burnt at a constant
volume and under a
high pressure in a
closed vessel called
bomb.
 The bomb is made of acid
resisting stainless steel,
machined from solid metals,
which is capable of
withstanding high pressures (up
to 100 bar) heat and corrosion.

The cover or the head of the

bomb carries the oxygen value
for admitting the oxygen and a
release value for the release of
the exhaust gases.
 A cradle or carrier ring carried
by the ignition rod, supports the
silica crucible, which in turn
hold the sample of the fuel
under the test.

There is an ignition wire of

platinum or nichrome which
dips into the crucible.
 The wire is connected to a
battery, kept outside and can be
sufficiently heated by passing
current through it so as to ignite
the fuel.

The bomb is completely

immersed in a measured
quantity of the water.
 The heat liberated by the
combustion of the fuel is
absorbed by this water, the
bomb and copper vessel.

The rise in the temperature of

the water is measured by a
precise thermometer know as
Beck mann thermometer which
reads up to 0.01oC
Bomb Calorimeter-Procedure
A sample of the fuel which is
weighted carefully (usually
one gram or so on) is placed
in the crucible.

About 10ml of distilled water

is introduced into the bomb
to absorb the sulfuric and
nitric acid formed during the
combustion
 The pure oxygen is then
admitted through the oxygen
valve, till the pressure inside
the bomb rises to 30
atmospheres.

The bomb is then completely

submerged in known
quantity of the water
contained in large copper
vessel.
 This vessel is placed into large
insulated copper vessel (not shown into
figure) to reduce the loss of heat by
radiation.

When the bomb and its content have

reached the steady temperature (this
temperature being noted), fuse wire is
heated up electrically. Almost after five
minutes and then more reading are
taken with a gap of one minute. A 6-12
volts battery is used for producing
current.
 The fuel ignites and continuous to burn till whole of it
is burnt.

The heat released during the combustion is absorbed

by the surrounding water and apparatus itself.

The rise of temperature of the water is noted.

After allowing half an hour for settlement of the acid

mist, the content of the bomb is washed and amount
of H2SO4 and HNO3 is determined.
Let

mf = Mass of the fuel sample burnt into the the

bomb in kg

H.C.V= Higher Calorific Value of the fuel

sample in KJ/kg

mw = Mass of water filled in the calorimeter in

kg

me = Mass of water equivalent of the

apparatus in kg
t1 = Initial temperature of the water and
apparatus in oC or oK

t2 = Final temperature of the water and

apparatus in oC or oK

Cw = Specific Heat of the water

We know that the heat liberated by the fuel

Heat liberated by the fuel=mf x H.C.V----------(1)

And the Heat absorbed by the water and

Apparatus

Heat absorbed=(mw+me) x Cw x (t2 t1)-------(2)

Since the heat liberated is equal to the heat
absorbed (Neglecting Losses) therefore
by comparing equation (1) and (2)
To compensate with for the loss of heat by
radiation (which can not be totally eliminated), a
cooling correction is added to observed
temperature rise. This corrected temperature
rise is used in above expression.

This calorimeter gives H.C.V of the fuel as any

steam formed is condensed and heat is
recovered as no escape to steam is available.
Boys Calorimeter
 Boys Calorimeter
It is primarily used for the gaseous fuels,
though it can be modified for the liquid
fuels which are volatile in nature.

It gives higher calorific value only.

Lower calorific value may be determined,

since the amount of water produced may
be collected and measured.
 It consist of a suitable gas
burner at B, in which a
known volume of gas is at
known pressure is burnt.

The hot gases produced by

the combustion rise up in the
copper chimney, or
combustion chamber, which
is surrounded by a double
metal tubing a continuous
flow of water under a
constant head is maintained.
 From the top of the inner
chamber , hot gases are
deflected downward
thorough the space
containing the inner
water tubes M.

From here gases are

deflected upward
through the tubes
containing outer water
tubes N.
 Then the gases escapes
into the atmosphere from
the top and their
temperature is recorded
just before their exit.

During this process of

playing up and down the
water tubes, the gases
gives out, practically,
whole of their heat so
that any steam formed
during the combustion is
condensed back into the
water.
 The temperature of the circulating water is
measured at inlet and outlet by
thermometers T1 and T2 respectively.
After an initial warming up period during
which conditions are established,
simultaneous reading are taken of:
The volume of gas burnt into certain time
The quantity of water passing through the tube
during the same time, and
The rise in temperature of the water.
 The volume of gas consumed is reduced
to some standard condition of pressure
and temperature (15oC and 760 mm of
Hg), the normal temperature of the gas
and pressure being 0oC and 760 mm of
Hg
 Let,
V=Volume of gas burn at standard temperature
and pressure (STP) in m3.
Mw = Mass of cooling water used in kg
H.C.V= Higher Calorific Value of the fuel sample
in KJ/ m3
t1 = Temperature of the water at inlet in oC or
oK

t2 = Temperature of the water at outlet in oC or

oK

Cw = Specific Heat of the water

 We know that the heat produce by the
combustion of fuel
Heat liberated by the fuel=v x H.C.V-----(1)

And the Heat absorbed by the circulating

water
Heat absorbed=mw Cw x (t2 t1)--------(2)
 Since the heat produced by the combustion of
fuel is equal to the heat absorbed by the
circulating water (Neglecting Losses) therefore
by comparing equation (1) and (2)
 The lower calorific value may be calculated if
the water produced during the combustion is
drained off from there bottom of the
calorimeter, collected, and weighted. If this
mass is m, then
LCV= H.C.V mx2466 KJ/Kg

The modification this gas calorimeter is known

as Junkers calorimeter.
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