THOMSPSON’S CALLORIMETER

Fundamentals of engineering thermodynamics

ME1053

Semester 2
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
University of Moratuwa
Sri Lanka

Name : Kalubowila K.D.C.S

Index no : 200281M
Date of submission : 30/09/2022
Due date of submission : 30/09/2022
 Contents

Abstract .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Equipment ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Procedure ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
Calculations .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Results ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Discussion ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
References .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Abstract

The objective of this practical was to determine the calorific value of a given solid fuel. The coal was used
as solid fuel and used Thompson’s calorimeter to determine the calorific value of it. Temperature was
plotted against time and the Dickson’s method was used as od correction for the radiation loses.

Introduction

Amount of heat energy presented in food or fuel which is determined at constant pressure and normal
conditions by complete combustion, is the calorific value or calorific power. Calorific value is measured
as kilojoule per kilogram (kJ/kg). when considering fuel(solid, liquid, or gaseous) the calorific value is
defined as the heat value developed by the complete combustion of unit mass or unit volume of a given
fuel.
Theory

Heating value is the amount of energy generated during the combustion of a specific amount of a
substance. This value can be measured as kCal/kg, J/mol, kJ/kg, etc. usually the calorific value is obtained
using a calorimeter. The heat energy produced can be calculated using the temperature rise of the
calorimeter during the combustion of that substance.

Assuming the heat lose is negligible.

Heat energy released by Heat energy absorbed by Heat energy absorbed by

fuel = water + calorimeter

Heat released by fuel = mf x cv

Heat absorbed by calorimeter = mcal x scal x d𝜃𝑐𝑎𝑙
Heat absorbed by water = mw x sw x d𝜃𝑤

Where,
mf - mass of fuel
mcal - mass of calorimeter
mw - mass of water
cv - calorific value of fuel

for the proper combustion oxygen must be supplied to the furnace tube. That required oxygen was
obtained using the reactions of KNO3 (Exothermic reaction) and KClO3 (Endothermic reaction).
KNO3(s) KNO2(s) + O2(g)
KClO3(s) KClO3(s) + O2(g)
∆𝜃 = Tmax - Tmin

Where,
Tmax – Mean value of the maximum temperature observed in the practical and value obtained from
temperature vs time.
Tmin – Initial temperature
Equipment

• Coal (2g)
• Potassium Nitrate (KNO3)
• Potassium Chlorate (KClO3)
• Nitrate paper
• Furnace tube
• Thompson calorimeter
• Stopwatch
• Water (2l)
• Measuring cylinder

Procedure

• First, we measured 2g of coal 6.5g of potassium nitrate and 19.5 of potassium chlorate and grinded
the mixture into a fine powder.
• Then a nitrate paper was placed at the center of the furnace tube and the mixture was packed
evenly such that the nitrate paper always on the center.
• Then 2l of water was added and the initial temperature of the water was measured using electronic
thermocouple.
• After that, we ignited the nitrate paper-fuse and fix the cover with stopcock closed and quickly
lowered into 2l of water and at the same moment the stopwatch was started.
• Temperature readings were taken every half a minute until the temperature drops by several
degrees.
• Water was stirred while taking readings to keep same temperature everywhere.
• Stop of bubbles indicate the end of combustion so after that we opened the stopcock and clear the
tube using the metal wire given.
Calculations

Mass of coal (Mc ) = 1.954 g (2g)

Mass of the calorimeter (Mcal) = 451.4 g
Mass of the water (Mw ) = 2 kg
Specific heat capacity of water (Sw ) = 4200 J/Ckg
Specific heat capacity of copper (Scu ) = 450 J/Ckg
Tmax from the graph = 32.88 0C
Tmin = 30.57 0C
Temperature obtained from Dickinson method = 32.908 0C
32.88+32.923
Average maximum temperature from Dickinson method = = 32.893 0C
2
Q = ( MwSw + Mcal Scu) ∆𝜃
= (2 x 4200 + 0.4514 x 450) x (32.893-30.57)
= 19985.071 J

𝑄
Calorific value = x 103
𝑚
19985.071
= x 103
0.001954
= 10.227774 MJ/kg
Results

Temperature Vs time
33.5

y = -0.006x + 32.905
33

32.5
Temperature(0C)

32

31.5

31

30.5

30
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time(minutes)
Discussion

• Methods used for correcting the heat loss

1. Radiation – The outer surface of the calorimeter should be polished to reduce the heat loss by
radiation.
2. Conduction – This can be minimized by covering the calorimeter with thermal insulating
material
3. Convection – Minimizing the heat loss by convection requires covering whole material with
insulating material.

• Dickinson’s method of correcting for radiation losses

We start the practical with a initial temperature slightly less than environment and finish the
practical with a temperature slightly higher than environment temperature. Logic behind this is that
when the system’s temperature is lower than environment then heat transfer is to the system and
when temperature is higher than environment then, heat transfer is from system to environment,
and the net heat transfer is approximately zero. Temperature change per minute is determined over
5 5-minutr period before and after the highest temperature reached.

• Heat reactions of KNO3 and KClO3

Both components provide the necessary O2(g) for the combustion of coal. But the reaction of KNO3
is exothermic which means heat is generated by the reaction and the reaction of KClO3 is
Endothermic which mean heat is absorbed when reaction going on. So, by balancing the ratio
between those two components results zero net heat transfer and provides the O2 for the
combustion of coal.

• Expected calorific value of coal –

o The range of calorific value for coal is in between 30500-30800 kJ/kg
• Observed calorific value of coal – 10232.177 kJ/kg
• Reasons for the discrepancy in between observed and expected calorific values –
o All of coal did not burn during the practical.
o There was undesirable heat loses during the practical.
o There could be some errors when measuring the mass of the components.
o The heat capacity value used for the calorimeter is different than the actual value.
o Contaminated chemicals may have been utilized during the combustion.
 • Different methods of obtaining calorific values for solid fuels
o Bomb calorimeter
o Boy’s calorimeter
o Market’s boiler
o Separation and throttling
• Finding the calorific value of a sample of firewood
o Grind the suitable amount of sample and dry it.
o Mix KNO3 and KClO3 like we did in the above practical.
o Rest of the practical is same as what we did before.
o Calculations are as follows,
▪ Mass of firewood = Mf
▪ Mass of the calorimeter = Mca
▪ Mass of the water = Mw
▪ Specific heat capacity of water = Sw
▪ Specific heat capacity of copper = Scu

Heat released form wood (Qf) = ( MwSw + Mcal Scu) ∆𝜃

𝑄𝑓
Calorific value of wood = x 103 kJ/kg
𝑚𝑓

Conclusion

• Practically the calorific values can be differed from what we obtained theoretically due to various
reasons. By taking certain measures to prevent heat loss to the environment and using Dickinson’s
method the heat loss can be minimized
• We should neutralize the heat transfer occurred by the additional compounds used in the practical.
• Fuels could have two different calorific values. Gross calorific value which is larger and net
calorific value which is lower.
• We must use several methods depending on the nature of the fuel used.
References

• CALORIMETER, T. and CALORIMETER, T., 2022. THOMSON CALORIMETER. [online]

Engipractical.blogspot.com. Available at: <http://engipractical.blogspot.com/2013/01/thomson-
calorimeter-experiment-thomson.html> [Accessed 28 September 2022].
• Lett, R. and Ruppel, T., 2022. Coal, Chemical and Physical Properties. [online] Available at:
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/calorific-value> [Accessed 28 September
2022].