University of Cebu

College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

EXPERIMENT # 1
Flash and Fire Point of Lubricating Oil

Name: Benz Andrew R. Regis Course & Year: BSME – 5

Subject: ME 412 MECHANICAL LAB 2 Date: Feb. 13, 2021

I. OBJECTIVE

To study and determine the flash and fire point of lubricating

oil.

II. DISCUSSION

There are two kinds that are used for flash and fire point
determination of oil, namely, (1) the open type and (2) the close type.
The close type is generally considered as standard but the open type
tester gives sufficient accurate results for more particular work. In the
open type of tester, which is used to a great deal in commercial testing
of lubricating oil, heat is applied to the cup by the use of Bunsen
burner which should be protected from air drop by suitable shield. It
is necessary to be careful in making this test to be sure that the
temperature of the oil is continuously rising as any reaction at about
the flash point or the fire point would invalidate the result of the work.
Temperature of oil must be kept steadily increasing at the specified
rate.

The temperature at which the first flash of vapour combustion

takes place near the surface the oil is to be noted and recorded as the
flash temperature. By continuing the application of heat, the vapour
temperature will be raised and distilled from the surface of oil.

III. APPARATUS

2 Thermometers
Evaporating Dish
Bunsen Burner
Tripod
Wire Gauze
Iron Stand with Clamp
Oil Sample
IV. SKETCH

Draw the actual set-up of the experiment neatly and label each
apparatus.
V. PROCEDURE

1. Set up oil tester a nd fill the cup up to a standardized mark at

the inside of the cup which is about 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) below its
upper edge.
2. Place the cup on the tripod then immerses the thermometer
bulb completely in the oil but not touching the bottom of the
cup.
3. Apply the test flame. This flame should be about 3 inches in
length and should not be drawn across. The test flame should
be applied at 50 deg F interval throughout the test.
4. Record the temperature reading as the flash point at which fire
flash or vapour combustion takes place near the surface of the
oil.
5. Repeat the procedure using another type of soil.

VI. TABULATED DATA

Trial Time (seconds) Temperature (deg F)

1 0 96.8F
2 9.62s 104F
3 39.17s 140F
4 65.71s 158F
5 80.38s 176F
6 112.86s 230F
7 134.16s 248F
8 161.16s 284F
9 184.57s 320F
10 226.57s 356F
VII. GRAPH

Make a graph of temperature (deg C) versus time (seconds).

Note: Use a separate sheet of graphing paper for the graph.

VIII. OBSERVATION

When the Bunsen burner heat touch the wire gauze the evaporating
dish starting to heat and the oil temperature inside the evaporating
dish staring to rise, I have observe that the flash point will show
depending on the oil temperature. The flash point of an oil is the
temperature to which it must be heated to emit sufficient flammable
vapor to flash when brought into contact with a flame. The fire point
at 284C of the oil is the higher temperature at which the oil vapors
will continue to burn when ignited. The temperature at which there is
a flash/ignition is recorded as the flash point.
IX. CONCLUSION

By all counts, and with proven results, The flash point of an oil is the
temperature to which it must be heated to emit sufficient flammable
vapor to flash when brought into contact with a flame. The fire point
at 284C of the oil is the higher temperature at which the oil vapors
will continue to burn when ignited. The temperature at which there is
a flash/ignition is recorded as the flash point.