This document outlines a procedure to determine the void volume, solid density, and porosity of a catalyst particle. A weighed sample of silica gel is placed in a beaker of water and boiled to displace air from the pores. The increase in weight and decrease in water volume after boiling are used to calculate the pore volume. From the pore volume and weight, the density of the solid material and porosity can be determined. Key measurements include the weight and volume changes before and after boiling the sample.
This document outlines a procedure to determine the void volume, solid density, and porosity of a catalyst particle. A weighed sample of silica gel is placed in a beaker of water and boiled to displace air from the pores. The increase in weight and decrease in water volume after boiling are used to calculate the pore volume. From the pore volume and weight, the density of the solid material and porosity can be determined. Key measurements include the weight and volume changes before and after boiling the sample.
This document outlines a procedure to determine the void volume, solid density, and porosity of a catalyst particle. A weighed sample of silica gel is placed in a beaker of water and boiled to displace air from the pores. The increase in weight and decrease in water volume after boiling are used to calculate the pore volume. From the pore volume and weight, the density of the solid material and porosity can be determined. Key measurements include the weight and volume changes before and after boiling the sample.
Aim: To determine void volume, solid density and porosity of a catalyst particle.
Apparatus: 100 ml beaker, measuring cylinder, weighing balance.
Theory: The void volume or pore volume of a catalyst particle can be estimated by boiling a weighed sample immersed in a liquid such as water. After the air in the pores has been displaced, the sample is superficially dried and weighed. The increase in weight divided by the density of the liquid gives the pore volume. The volume of water displaced is a measure of the volume occupied by the solid material. From this volume & weight of the sample, the density of the solid can be obtained. Void fraction or porosity of the particle, Ɛ𝑝 = void volume of the particle⁄total volume of particle Procedure: Take a measured quantity of silica gel. Put in a 100 ml measuring cylinder, pour measured volume of water. Wait for 5 min or so to see the change in volume of water. Note down the change in water volume at steady state. Boil the water & catalyst. Cool it, remove the catalyst & dry it superficially on filter paper. Take the weight; find the change in the weight of the catalyst. Observations: Weight of the catalyst before boiling in water= 𝑤1 𝑔𝑚 = Weight of the catalyst after boiling in water= 𝑤2 𝑔𝑚 = Volume of water before putting catalyst in water= 𝑣1 𝑚𝑙 = Volume of water after putting catalyst in water = 𝑣2 𝑚𝑙 = Change in volume of water after putting cat in water = (𝑣2 − 𝑣1 ) = 𝑣 𝑚𝑙 = Change in weight of cat after boiling = (𝑤2 − 𝑤1 ) = 𝑤 𝑔𝑚 = Density of water 𝜌𝑤 gm/cc Calculations: 𝑤 𝑚𝑙⁄ Pore volume, 𝑣𝑔 = = 𝑔𝑚 𝑤1 𝜌𝑤 Void fraction or porosity of the particle, 𝑤1 𝑣𝑔 Ɛ𝑝 = 𝑤1 𝑣𝑔 + 𝑤1 /𝜌𝑠 𝑣𝑔 𝜌𝑠 = 𝑣𝑔 𝜌𝑠 + 1 Where the true density of solid catalyst is 𝜌𝑠 , 𝑤1 𝜌𝑠 = ; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣𝑔′ = 𝑤1 𝑣𝑔 (𝑣 − 𝑣𝑔′ ) Result: Pore volume 𝑣𝑔 = ; True density of solid 𝜌𝑠 = Porosity of solid Ɛp =