DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Doornfontein Campus

Title: Marcet Boiler Lab Report 2

By

Your Names
SHONGWE HN
(219000179)

A Semester Lab Report submitted

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module

THERMOFLUIDS (THFMIB1)

B. ENG TECH (BENG(TECH))

Engineering: Industrial

LECTURER: …………………………
Date: 21 October 2022
Statement of originality
I claim that this lab report is my own work. All the secondary sources I’ve used, whether from
print or electronic sources, have been recognized and referenced appropriately, in accordance
with the Mechanical and Industrial Technology Department’s referencing style at the university
of Johannesburg. I am aware that plagiarism is a serious offence, and that appropriate
disciplinary measures will be applied. I thoroughly understand all the plagiarism and policies
regarding references described in the Thermodynamics 3A Learner Guide.

Signature: Date: 21/10/2022

Acknowledgments
I am grateful for my module tutors, Mahlake R.M and Chimedza K.T for helping me during the
entire experiment and also assisting me in understanding the theory of the experiment before
having to perform it. Additionally, I am also thankful for the assistance they offered in correcting
some of the errors I made during the experiment.
Table of Contents
Statement of originality ............................................................................................................................... 2
Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Objective ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Theory/ Background .................................................................................................................................... 5
Apparatus ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Procedure ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Observation .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Analysis of results........................................................................................................................................ 8
Calculations ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Objective
The objective of the experiment is to study the relationship between temperature and pressure of
saturated steam at all pressure levels between atmospheric pressure and 10 bars (150 lb/in2).
Aside from that, this experiment was also done to demonstrate the pressure level curve. This was
achieved by collecting the reading of temperature when pressure increases as well as when
pressure decreases. Then, the experimental value for the slope of the graph (dT/dP)SAT is
compared to the theoretical value found in the steam table.

Theory/ Background
Thermodynamics is defined as a study associated with the transfer of heat and work between a
system and its surroundings, undergoing a method causing any of the properties of the system to
change.
Thermodynamics mainly works with large-scale system, which can be measured by experiment
study of liquid or gas. The properties of fluids are also a part of thermodynamics.
An ideal gas obeys the equation of the state that relates the pressure, specific volume or density,
and temperature with the mass of the molecule and the constant, R.
!"#
!" = $

However, real gas doesn’t completely adapt to the equation of state. A few changes in the ideal
gas equation of state enable its application within the properties of real gases.
When water is boiled, the energy will increase, the increasing of activities among the molecules
permits the rise within the range of molecules escaping 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 whereas less energy is
required in reaching the state of equilibrium (boiling point). The temperature wherever
equilibrium happens at a given physical phenomenon is called saturated temperature.
The Marcet Boiler is used to research the connection between the pressure and temperature of
saturated steam in equilibrium with water at all temperature levels between the atmospheric
pressure and 10 bars.
%& &('(
( )%&# =
%! ℎ'(
%& &((' − (( )
( )%&# =
%! ℎ' − ℎ(
+,% ℎ' + ℎ'( ≈ ℎ'( = ℎ( − ℎ'
%& &((' − (( ) &((
( )%&# = = +0 "( ≫ "'
%! ℎ'( ℎ'(

In which,
v) = specific volume of saturated liquid

v* = specific volume of saturated vapor

h) = enthalpy of saturated liquid

h* = enthalpy of saturated vapor

h)* = latent heat of vaporization

Apparatus
Fluid: Water
Apparatus: Marcet Boiler apparatus

Ø Pressure transducer
Ø Pressure indicator
Ø Temperature controller/ indicator
Ø Control panel
Ø Bench
Ø Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge
 Ø Temperature Sensor
Ø Pressure Relief Valve
Ø Heater
Ø Water Inlet Port & Valve

Procedure
1. The power supply was connected to the unit to provide a heating rate of 2kW to the
electrical heater.
2. The level valve was opened and switched on the power supply.
3. The temperature ‘setpoint’ was set to 1800C.
4. To ensure that there is no air trapped in the boiler, wait for the steam output through the
level value.
5. The level valve was then closed and continued heating until the maximum gauge pressure
reached 8 bars.
6. Warning: Don’t remove filler plug or open level valve when the device is pressurized.
7. The temperature ‘setpoint’ was decreased to room temperature in which the electrical
heater will be off.
8. All temperature readings at different pressure settings of the boiler are recorded when the
boiler is heated and cooled.

Observation

Atmospheric pressure: 0.986586 bar

Atmospheric temperature: 14 (°C)

Pressure, P (bar) Temperature T ( ͦ C)

Gauge Absolute Increase decrease Average Average Measured Calculated
T T Slope Slope,
(°C) (K) dT/dP Tvg/hfg
1 1,986586 121 120 120,5 393,5 - 0,152
1,5 2,486586 126 127 126,5 399,5 0,120 0,135
2 2,986586 133 133 133 406 0,130 0,115
2,5 3,486586 138 138 138 411 0,100 0,102
3 3,986586 143 143 143 416 0,100 0,091
3,5 4,486586 148 147 147,5 420,5 0,090 0,083
 4 4,986586 151 151 151 424 0,070 0,07667
4,5 5,486586 155 155 155 428 0,080 0,070
5 5,986586 158 158 158 431 0,060 0,066
5,5 6,486586 161 161 161 434 0,060 0,062
6 6,986586 164 164 164 437 0,060 0,059
6,5 7,486586 166 166 166 439 0,040 0,056
7 7,986586 169 169 169 442 0,060 0,053
7,5 8,486586 171 171 171 444 0,040 0,051
8 8,986586 174 174 174 447 0,060 0,048

Table 1: Observations

Analysis of results
Graph of Average Temperature (Tave), against Absolute Pressure (Pabs)

GRAPH OF AVERAGE TEMPERATURE, T AGAINST

ABSOLUTE PRESSURE, P
200

180

160
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE , T (°C)

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ABSOLUTE PRSSURE, P (BAR)

Calculations for measured slope

 Pressure, P abs (kpa) dP (kPa) Average T dT (K) (dT/dP)(K/kPa)
Pabs(bar)
ave
(K)
1,986586 198,65860 - 393,5 - -
2,486586 248,65860 50,00000 399,5 6 0,120
2,986586 298,65860 50,00000 406 6,5 0,130
3,486586 348,65860 50,00000 411 5 0,100
3,986586 398,65860 50,00000 416 5 0,100
4,486586 448,65860 50,00000 420,5 4,5 0,090
4,986586 498,65860 50,00000 424 3,5 0,070
5,486586 548,65860 50,00000 428 4 0,080
5,986586 598,65860 50,00000 431 3 0,060
6,486586 648,65860 50,00000 434 3 0,060
6,986586 698,65860 50,00000 437 3 0,060
7,486586 748,65860 50,00000 439 2 0,040
7,986586 798,65860 50,00000 442 3 0,060
8,486586 848,65860 50,00000 444 2 0,040
8,986586 898,65860 50,00000 447 3 0,060

Calculations for the Calculated slope

Pressure P, (bar) Temperature Specific Volume, v (m3/kg) Enthalpy, Calculated
Slope
,T h
(K) (kJ/kg)
Guag Absolut Average T vf vg vfg hfg
e e ave
1,98658 0,00106 0,85269 0,851639 0,152
1 6 393,5 00 9 00 2 197,94
2,48658 0,00106 0,73766 0,736595 0,135
1,5 6 399,5 64 2 65 2 183,77
2,98658 0,00107 0,61461 0,613541 0,115
2 6 406 27 4 35 2 164,97
3,48658 0,00107 0,53642 0,535347 2 150,22 0,102
2,5 6 411 77 5 30
3,98658 0,00108 0,46984 0,468766 2 135,19 0,091
3 6 416 29 9 09
4,48658 0,00108 0,41823 0,417148 2 121,42 0,083
3,5 6 420,5 78 6 25
4,98658 0,00109 0,38274 0,381651 2 110,54 0,077
4 6 424 2 3 38
5,48658 0,00109 0,34650 0,345406 0,070
4,5 6 428 62 3 85 2 097,92
 5,98658 0,00109 0,32200 0,320902 0,066
5 6 431 96 2 37 2 088,32
6,48658 0,00110 0,29954 0,298445 2 078,60 0,062
5,5 6 434 32 9 82
6,98658 0,00110 0,27894 0,277841 2 068,76 0,059
6 6 437 68 8 20
7,48658 0,00110 0,26615 0,265045 2 062,13 0,056
6,5 6 439 93 5 75
7,98658 0,00111 0,24825 0,247145 0,053
7 6 442 30 8 00 2 052,07
8,48658 0,00111 0,23712 0,236010 2 045,29 0,051
7,5 6 444 55 6 46
8,98658 0,00111 0,22152 0,220408 0,048
8 6 447 94 8 59 2 035,01

Graph of dT/dP and Tvg/hfg against Absolute Pressure, P

Graph of dT/dP and Tvg/hfg against Absolute Pressure, P
0,180

0,160

0,140

0,120
dT/dP and Tvg/hfg

0,100

0,080

0,060

0,040

0,020

0,000
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Absolute Pressure, P bar
Calculations
Sample calculations for Average Temperature Tave
Tinc = 128℃ Tdec = 127℃
&./01-+2- + &3-01-+2-
&+,- =
2
126 + 127
=
2
= 126.5℃

Sample of calculations for dP

!+42 = 4,986586 +,% !+42 = 4,486586
%!5.789759 = 4.986586 − 4.486586
100C!+
= 0.5@+A ×
1@+A
= 50kPa

Sample of calculations for Dt

&+,-5,79;<9; = 424D , &+,-5,59;<9; = 420.5D
%&5,79;<9; = &5,79;<9; − &5,59;<9;
= 424 − 420.5
= 3,5K

Sample of calculations for (dT/ dP)

%& %&5,79;<9;
( )5,79;<9; =
%! %!5,79;<9;
3,5
=
50
= 0.07D/C!+
Sample of calculations for Vf
&+,-5,79;<9; = 151℃
"G =0,001092H= /CI

Sample of calculations for Vg

"I = 0,382743 H= /CI

Sample of calculations for Vfg

"GI = "I − "G
"GI = 0.382743 − 0.001092 = 0.381651H= /CI

Sample of calculations of Enthalpy hfg

ℎGI = 2110.54CJ/CI
sample of calculations for the calculated slope
%&5,79;<9; &,'( 424 × 0.381651
( )= = = 0.077D/C!+
%!5,79;<9; ℎ'( 2110.54

Percentage Error
Sample of calculations for percentage error
!-+2>1-3 2@AB-C0+@0>@+D-3
%5,79;<9;4+1 = !-+2>1-3
× 100
E.E8ECE.E88
= E.E8E
= -9,5320122%

Calculations for Percentage error

Measured Calculated
Slope Slope, Percantage error
dT/dP Tvg/hfg (%)
- 0,152 -
0,120 0,135 -12,29432059
0,130 0,115 11,49360815
0,100 0,102 -2,328013087
0,100 0,091 8,670098005
0,090 0,083 8,127135428
0,070 0,077 -9,5320122
0,080 0,070 11,91624812
0,060 0,066 -10,38292461
0,060 0,062 -3,856350332
0,060 0,059 2,182463247
0,040 0,056 -41,06177138
0,060 0,053 11,27813216
0,040 0,051 -28,08531338
0,060 0,048 19,31027388

Discussion
When the water in the Marcet Boiler is heated, it absorbs energy in the form of heat, causing the
water temperature to rise. As the water in the control volume (Marcet boiler) increases, so does
the pressure inside the Marcet boiler, which obeys the ideal gas equation of PV=mRT. As a
result, the pressure of water vapor rises.

The slope of the graph of average temperature versus absolute pressure decreases as the pressure
increases. He is demonstrating that at one point, increasing pressure does not affect temperature
rise.

According to the second graph, the dT/dP vs. P(pressure) is higher than the graph of Tvg/hfg vs.
P. Meanwhile, the average temperature is increasing. However, during the experiment, there may
be some errors that affect the results. The first mistake could be a machine error. This is most
likely to occur when the machine is used by multiple groups of students on the same day,
followed by no post-use inspections. The second type of error is human error, which occurs
when procedures are not followed while using the machine, resulting in machine damage. Since
the readings that we get are by observing the number that is displayed on the machine's screen,
so the parallax error does not occur. Because the readings are obtained by observing the number
displayed on the machine's screen, the parallax error does not occur.

If not all of the air is removed during the experiment, it will affect the results when air is present.
Thus, to overcome this condition, we must allow steam to come out for more than 30 seconds so
that mostly air(steam) is successfully removed from the value.
The valve at the level sight tube did not close tightly before turning on the heater. Thus, a small
amount of pressure for the experiment values will be lower. We must check the valve before
turning on the heater to overcome this situation.

If not all of the air is removed during the experiment, the results will be affected when air is
present. To overcome this condition, we must allow steam to escape for more than 30 seconds,
allowing most of the air (steam) to be successfully removed from the value.
Before turning on the heater, the valve at the level sight tube did not close tightly. As a result, a
small amount of pressure will result in lower experiment values. To remedy this situation, we
must double-check the valve before turning on the heater.

Conclusion
Pressure rises as temperature rises, according to the experimental results. The resultant graph of
average temperature vs absolute pressure showed that they are directly proportional. The vapor
pressure curve calculated was somewhat wrong due to data issues.
Based on the findings of the experiment, we may deduce that certain errors occurred during the
experiment, including the observed slope, dT/dP, and computed slope values. At some point,
raising pressure will have no effect on the temperature of the water in the Marcet boiler. This
experiment is deemed to be successful if the results are distributed at temperature changes of all
the air-conditions, as well as by continuing this experiment and obtaining the average value. The
experiment could be more accurate if some insulation was kept on the Marcet boiler to decrease
heat loss.

With the exception of a few small shortcomings, this experiment is regarded a success. To
improve the experiment's results, it should be distributed at temperature changes in all air
conditions, as well as by continuing the experiment and calculating the average value. The
experiment could have been more precise if the Marcet boiler had been insulated to decrease heat
loss.

Reference:
• Syahiirah, N. (2015, April 8). CHE144 - Lab Report : Marcet Boiler (2015). Retrieved
October 21, 2022,
from https://www.academia.edu/11843064/CHE144_Lab_Report_Marcet_Boiler_2015_
• University of Technology Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Skudai (Universiti Teknologi

Malaysia). (2021). Experiment 1 - Marcet Boiler.doc - 1.0 TITLE Marcet Boiler. .

. Course Hero. Retrieved October 21, 2022,
from https://www.coursehero.com/file/30362013/Experiment-1-Marcet-Boilerdoc/
• Zan, M. F. M. (2017, March 14). Lab Report Thermodynamic Marcet Boiler. Retrieved
October 21, 2022,
from https://www.academia.edu/31859057/Lab_Report_Thermodynamic_Marcet_Boiler