ME LABORATORY 1 EXPERIMENT NO.

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BOMB CALORIMETER
NAME 1. ADAM, JAMAL MOHAMMED DATE PERFORMED SCORE
2. BALLADOS, JHON PAOLO OCTOBER 24, 2019
3. CASTILLO, CHRISTOPHER DATE SUBMITTED
4. EUGENIO, ADRIAN OCTOBER 29, 2019
INSTRUCTOR
SECTION 57029
Engr. Eisley John S. Tiongson
GROUP 1

I. OBJECTIVES:

 to determine the heat capacity of a specific mass of a combustible fuel and from this
determine the specific heat capacity of the fuel.

II. LEARNING OUTCOME:

The students shall be able to:

 Discuss the principle of measurement of heating value using Bomb Calorimeter.

 Compute the HHV value of different given fuels.
 Interpret data and relate result to governing scientific principle.
 Develop professional work ethics, including precision, neatness, safety and ability to
follow instruction.

III. DISCUSSION

The heating value of a fuel sample is an empirical measurement that describes the energy
produced by a given type of fuel. The bomb calorimeter is a device that burns a fuel sample
and transfers the heat into a known mass of water, allowing a precise way to calculate the
heating value from the weight of the fuel used and the change in the temperature of the water.
This experiment also demonstrates the First Law of Thermodynamics for control mass.

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 Refer to figure 7.1 and 7.2. the apparatus consists of a precision scale for weighing fuse
and fuel samples, and oxygen bottle with suitable valves, and the bomb calorimeter. Inner
most in the calorimeter is the fuel cup is held in a wire cradle, which hangs from the top of the
vessel. A fuse wire is attached between the two arms of the cradle. This fuse wire dips into
the fuel but does not touch the sides of the fuel cup. This assembly is placed inside the bomb,
a rigid constant volume steel vessel. The bomb is placed inside a stainless steel bucket with
1900g of water and ignition leads are attached to the bomb. This bucket is placed down inside
the beige, insulated calorimeter box and makes contact with pegs on the floor of the box. The
calorimeter cover is closed. The cover has a hole that allows a precision thermometer and
thermocouple to be lowered into the 1900g of water to measure the temperature in addition,
a small, electrically driven paddle wheel can be engaged by a drive belt to stir the water and
homogenize its temperature.

Figure 7.1 schematic of a complete Bomb Calorimeter

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 Figure 7.2 schematic of Bomb Vessel

The sensible way to evaluate a fuel’s heating value (HV) is in terms of the energy it will produce
per unit mass of fuel. Ideally, in a calorimeter, a carefully weighed liquid or solid fuel sample would
be completely burned. All of the heat released would be conducted into a known mass of water.
From the resulting rise in water temperature the amount of energy released (and therefore, the
heating value) can be determined by using the equation:
∆𝑉𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 (𝑚𝐶𝑉 ∆𝑇)𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝐻𝐻𝑉𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 = =
𝑚𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙 𝑚𝑓𝑢𝑒𝑙

Percent Difference of Digital and Measured Speed

𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟏 − 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟐
𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ⌊ ⌋ 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟏 + 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟐
𝟐
Where,
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟏 − 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑏𝑜𝑚𝑏 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝟐 − 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

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IV. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
Table 7.1 List of Equipment
Equipment Quantity Unit
Bomb Calorimeter set for testing 1 Pc
Calorific value of Fuels, TBCF
Different kinds of fuels 4 Pcs
Weighing scale 1 Pc
Gram scale 1 Pc
Graduated Cylinder 1 Pc
Optimal firing Computer 1 Pc
Digital thermometer 1 Pc
Oxygen Tank 1 Pc
Nicrome Wire 15 cm
Cotton Thread 15 cm
Agitator 1 Pc

Table 7.2 list of raw materials

Raw materials Quantity Unit
80:20 WH-CS 1.61 grams
80:20 WH-B 1.13 grams
80:20 WH-CH 1.75 grams
60:40 WH-B 1.42 grams
water 1900 ml
Zip lock 1 Pc

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V. PROCEDURE:

1. Prepare the fuel sample by placing it in crucible and weighting it on a balance. Ensure that the
weight of the fuel does not exceed 2 g. Note down the weight of the fuel sample (mf) and place
the crucible containing the fuel gently in the loop holder. When starting tests with new or
unfamiliar materials, it is always best to use samples of less than 0.7 of a gram, with the
possibility of the increasing the amount if a preliminary test indicates no abnormal behavior.

2. The bomb head has been pre-attached with a 15 cm long fuse wire between the two electrodes.
Bend the fuse wire down just above the liquid fuel sample. The wire must not make contact with
the fuel crucible. To attach that the fuse to quick-grip electrodes, insert the ends of the wire in
to the eyelet at the end of each stem and push the cap downward to pinch the wire into place.
No further threading or twisting is required.

3. It is not necessary to submerge the wire in a powdered sample. In fact, better combustions will
usually be obtained if the loop of the fuse is set slightly above the surface. When using pelleted
samples, bend the wire so that the loop bears against the top of the pellet firmly enough to keep
it from slide of capsule.

4. Care must be taken no to disturb the sample when moving the bomb head from to the
calorimeter bomb. Check the sealing ring to be sure that it is in a good condition and moisten it
with a bit of water so that it will slide freely into the body of the calorimeter bomb, then slide the
head into the bomb and push it down as far as it will go. Set the screw cap on the bomb and
turn it down firmly by hand to a solid stop. When probably closed, no threads on the bomb
should be exposed.

5. Oxygen for the bomb can be drawn from a standard commercial oxygen cylinder. Connect the
regulator to the cylinder, keeping the 0-55 atm. In the upright position.

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 The purpose connection to the bomb is made with a slip connector on the oxygen hose
which slides over the gas inlet fitting on the bomb head. Slide the connector onto the inlet valve
body and push it down as far as it will go.

Close the outlet valve on the bomb head; then open or “crack” the oxygen tank valve not
more than one-quarter turn. Open the filling connection control valve slowly and watch the gage
as the bomb pressure rises to the desired filling pressure (20-25 atm.) 30 atm. Maximum; then
close the control valve. The bomb inlet check valve will close automatically when the oxygen
supply is shut off, leaving the bomb filled to the highest pressure indicated on the 0-55 atm.
Release the residual pressure in the filling hose by pushing downward on the lever attached to
the relief valve. The gage should now return to zero.

6. Fill the calorimeter vessel by first taring the empty vessel; then add 1900 grams of water. Note
the exact mass of water.

7. Introduce the bomb calorimeter inside the calorimeter vessel. Handle the bomb carefully during
this operation so that the sample will not be disturbed.

8. Check the bomb for leaks before firing. If any gas leakage is indicated, no matter how slight,
DO NOT FIRE THE BOMB. Instead remove it from the water bath; release the pressure and
eliminate the leak before proceeding with combustion test.

9. Fill the jacket with water.

10. Put the cover on the jacket. Turn the stirrer by hand to be sure that it runs freely and start the
motor. Install the Beckman thermometer; this thermometer should be immersed in water and
not close to the bomb.

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11. Let the stirrer run for at least 2-5 minutes to reach equilibrium before starting a measure run
(steady temperature).

12. The scanning of the temperature data is pre-set to be done once a minute. At the start of the
5th minute, fire the charge by pressing the firing button on the control unit, keeping the circuit
closed for about 5 seconds.
13. The vessel temperature will start to rise within 20-30 seconds after firing. This rise will be rapid
during the first few minutes; the it will become slower as the temperature approaches a stable
maximum as shown by the typical rise curve shown in the figure below. Accurate time and
temperature observations must be recorded to identify certain points needed to calculate the
calorific value of the sample.

Figure 7.3 Typical temperature-time curve of a bomb calorimetric process.

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14. Usually the temperature will reach a maximum; then it will drop very slowly. But this is not always
true since a low starting temperature may result in a slow continuous rise without reaching a
maximum. As a stated above, the difference between successive readings must be noted and
the readings continued until the rate of the temperature change becomes constant over a period
of 5 minutes.

15. After the last temperature reading, stop the stirrer. Let the bomb stand in the calorimeter vessel
for at least 3 minutes. Then, remove the jacket cover and extract the bomb calorimeter. Wipe the
bomb with a clean towel.

16. Open the valve knob on the bomb head slightly to release all residual gas pressure before
attempting to remove the screw cap. This release should proceed slowly over a period of not less
than one minute to avoid entrainment losses. After all the pressure have been released, unscrew
the cup; lift the head out of the cylinder. Do not twist the head during removal. Pull it straight out
to avoid sticking. Examine the interior of the bomb for soot or other evidence of incomplete
combustion. If such evidence is found, the test will have to be discarded.

17. Remove all unburned pieces of fuse wire from the bomb electrodes.

18. On completion of experiment, wash all inner surfaces of the bomb and the combustion crucible
with a jet of distilled water and collect the washings keep the bomb set dry and clean with some
wiping tissue.

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 VI. DATA AND RESULTS:
𝑲𝑱
Table 7.3 Results of fuels 𝑪𝒑(𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓) = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝒈−°𝑲

Fuels mf (g) mw (g) Qwater(KJ) ∆𝑻 (⁰K) HHV (digital) HHV (computed) %

(cal/gms) (cal/gms) Difference

80:20 WH-CS 1.61 1900 20.45 2.57 3614.46 3035.02 17.43

80:20 WH-B 1.13 1900 14.00 1.76 3523.59 2961.34 17.34
80:20 WH-CH 1.75 1900 20.76 2.61 3368.6 2835.69 17.18
60:40 WH-B 1.42 1900 17.42 2.19 3487.79 2932.31 17.30

NOTE:
B: bagasse
CH: corn husk
CS: corn Stover
WH: Water Hyacinth

VII. COMPUTATIONS:
FOR Qwater:
𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝒎𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝑪𝒑(𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓) )(∆°𝑻)

𝑲𝑱
𝟏. 𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = (𝟏. 𝟗 𝑲𝒈) (𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 ) (𝟐. 𝟓𝟕 °𝑲)
𝑲𝒈 − °𝑲
𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟒𝟓 𝑲𝑱

𝑲𝑱
𝟐. 𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = (𝟏. 𝟗 𝑲𝒈) (𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 ) (𝟏. 𝟕𝟔 °𝑲)
𝑲𝒈 − °𝑲
𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟎𝟎 𝑲𝑱

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 𝑲𝑱
𝟑. 𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = (𝟏. 𝟗 𝑲𝒈) (𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 ) (𝟐. 𝟔𝟏 °𝑲)
𝑲𝒈 − °𝑲
𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟕𝟔 𝑲𝑱

𝑲𝑱
𝟒. 𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = (𝟏. 𝟗 𝑲𝒈) (𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 ) (𝟐. 𝟏𝟗 °𝑲)
𝑲𝒈 − °𝑲
𝑸𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟐 𝑲𝑱

FOR HHV:

∆𝑽𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 (𝒎𝑪𝑽 ∆𝑻)𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓

𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = =
𝒎𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 𝒎𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍

𝑲𝑱
(𝟏. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 × 𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝒈 − 𝑲 × 𝟐. 𝟓𝟕𝑲)
𝟏. 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = × 𝟐𝟑𝟗 𝒄𝒂𝒍.
𝟏. 𝟔𝟏𝒈
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = 𝟑𝟎𝟑𝟓. 𝟎𝟐 𝐜𝐚𝐥/𝐠𝐦𝐬

𝑲𝑱
(𝟏. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 × 𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝒈 − 𝑲 × 𝟏. 𝟕𝟔𝑲)
𝟐. 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = × 𝟐𝟑𝟗 𝒄𝒂𝒍
𝟏. 𝟏𝟑𝒈
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = 𝟐𝟗𝟔𝟏. 𝟑𝟒 𝐜𝐚𝐥/𝐠𝐦𝐬

𝑲𝑱
(𝟏. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 × 𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝒈 − 𝑲 × 𝟐. 𝟔𝟏𝑲)
𝟑. 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = × 𝟐𝟑𝟗 𝒄𝒂𝒍.
𝟏. 𝟕𝟓𝒈
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = 𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟓. 𝟔𝟗 𝐜𝐚𝐥/𝐠𝐦𝐬

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 𝑲𝑱
(𝟏. 𝟗𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒈 × 𝟒. 𝟏𝟖𝟕 𝑲𝒈 − 𝑲 × 𝟐. 𝟏𝟗𝑲)
𝟒. 𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = × 𝟐𝟑𝟗 𝒄𝒂𝒍.
𝟏. 𝟒𝟐𝒈
𝑯𝑯𝑽𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍 = 𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟐. 𝟑𝟏𝐜𝐚𝐥/𝐠𝐦𝐬

FOR PERCENTAGE DIFFERENCE:

𝟑𝟎𝟑𝟓. 𝟎𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔𝟏𝟒. 𝟒𝟔
𝟏. 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ⌊ ⌋ 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎% = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟒𝟑%
𝟑𝟎𝟑𝟓. 𝟎𝟐 + 𝟑𝟔𝟏𝟒. 𝟒𝟔
𝟐

𝟐𝟗𝟔𝟏. 𝟑𝟒 − 𝟑𝟓𝟐𝟑. 𝟓𝟗
𝟐. 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ⌊ ⌋ 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎% = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟑𝟒%
𝟐𝟗𝟔𝟏. 𝟑𝟒 + 𝟑𝟓𝟐𝟑. 𝟓𝟗
𝟐

𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟓. 𝟔𝟗 − 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟖. 𝟔
𝟑. 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ⌊ ⌋ 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎% = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟏𝟖%
𝟐𝟖𝟑𝟓. 𝟔𝟗 + 𝟑𝟑𝟔𝟖. 𝟔
𝟐

𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟐. 𝟑𝟏 − 𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟕. 𝟕𝟗
𝟒. 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 = ⌊ ⌋ 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟎% = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟑𝟎%
𝟐𝟗𝟑𝟐. 𝟑𝟏 + 𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟕. 𝟕𝟗
𝟐

VIII. DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS:

this experiment was about bomb calorimeter. first we prepared our fuel sample (60:40 WH-B)
by compressing it and making pellets and weighting it on a balance. The mass of our fuel was 1.42g.
Then we pre-attached the bomb head with a 15 cm long fuse wire between the two electrodes without
contact the fuel pellet. Also we put 15cm of cotton around the pelleted fuel to help in burning. Then we
put it in the bomb cylinder. And we added oxygen on it after we closed it. then we fill the calorimeter
with 1.9 liters of water and we introduced the bomb calorimeter inside the calorimeter vessel. After that
we set up the calorimeter. After all the set-up had been done its time for the bomb calorimeter to
function. You’ll know that the bomb calorimeter function of the temperature in the digital becomes
constant then start for the ignition of bomb calorimeter where the temperature should rise.

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IX. DOCUMENTATION:

Figure 7.4 Preparing the fuel sample by placing it in crucible

Figure 7. 5 weighting fuel sample on a balance

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 Figure 7.6 Fixing the fuse wire between the two electrodes

Figure 7.7 The bomb head has been attached with a 15 cm long fuse wire between the two electrodes

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Figure 7.8 Closing the Bomb Vessel properly after we put the Fuel on it

figure 7.9 Transferring Oxygen to the Bomb Vessel

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Figure 7.10 The sample is closed in the Bomb Vessel and moved to the Calorimeter Bomb.

Figure 7.11 Covering the Bomb Calorimeter and Installing the Thermometer

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 Figure 7.12 Setting up the Microprocessor Automatic Bomb Calorimeter

Figure 7.13 Turning on and fixing the units of the Microprocessor Automatic Bomb Calorimeter.

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Figure 7.14 Releasing all Residual Gas Pressure before attempting to remove the Screw Cap.

Figure 7.15 Burned Fuel, Fuse Wire and Cotton Thread

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 X. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:

We therefore conclude that in this experiment in order for the bomb calorimeter to function normally
the specific step by step procedure should be done. The compact of the pellets to burn much easier
than the specific liters of water and the proper set up of the wire and string to the pellet where they
should touch each other. The temperature should remain constant for us to ignite the firing of the bomb
calorimeter. After the temperature becomes constant start for the ignition and the temperature should
rise up so that the bomb calorimeter should function normally.

From the results obtained from the bomb calorimeter practical the results were comparable to the
measure values. The percentage error for two of the four tests yielded accurate results, the four tests
showed an error ranging from 17.18 – 17.43%. This error was justified by experimental errors from the
mass entered into the bomb calorimeter as well as differences in atmospheric temperature between the
practical results and the measure results. In addition, the use of a high-pressure oxygen bomb is not
limited to calorimetry, and is useful in elemental analysis. Truly, this lab is a wonder of multidisciplinary
technique with a broad range of applicability across various fields

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