Determination-of-Specific-Gravity

Experiment No.
1
SPECIFIC GRAVITY AND VISCOCITY OF FLUID FUELS
Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Agricultural
Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)
OBJECTIVES:
1. To determine the specific gravity of sample liquids, and fuels by pycnometer and
hydrometer method.
2. To be able to determine the viscosity of any liquid.
THEORY/HYPOTHESIS:
The specific gravity of a substance is defined as the ratio of the weight of that substance
to the weight of the water having equal volume. This is merely a ratio or an abstract number.
Actually, it is quantitatively the same as density as in the case of metric system since the
standard unit, a cubic centimeter of water, weighs exactly one gram.
Specific gravity of a liquid is determined most accurately in most cases where a
sensitive chemist balance is available by the use of a specific gravity bottle. The bottle is
provided with a small ground-glass stopper having a capillary tube or hole drilled through it,
so that when the bottle is filled to the top of capillary tube it will always hold the same volume
of liquid.
In the determining the specific gravity, the bottle is filled with the liquid to be tested
with care being taken to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
In commercial practice, the specific gravity of liquids is usually determined by an
instrument called a hydrometer. The hydrometer is made usually of glass and consists of three
parts:
(1) the upper part, a graduated stem or fine tube of uniform diameter
(2) bulb, an enlargement of the tube containing air
(3) a small bulb at the bottom, containing shot of mercury which causes the instrument to float
in a vertical position.
The graduations are figures representing either specific gravities or the numbers of
arbitrary scale as Baume, API, Twadell or Beck.
Fuels are all combustible substances obtained in bulb which may be burned in
atmospheric air in such a manner that the heat evolve is capable of being automatically applied
to domestic and industrial uses for heating and the production of power. Fuels may be primary
(natural occurring) or secondary. Both categories include solid, liquid, and gases.
The different liquid fuels used in these experiments in determining specific gravity are
gasoline, diesel, alcohol, oil for gasoline and diesel engine, and kerosene.
Commercial Falling-Sphere Viscometers are non-available. One type of which is shown in
the sketch. The one available is not of the commercial type. This viscometer makes use of the
principles in case of flow around a small sphere.
For Laminar Flow in which d is the diameter of the sphere.
The friction or the deformation drag Fa of the sphere moving at a constant velocity V
through a fluid of infinite extend is given by Stoke's Law with the following assumptions:
1. The particle must be a sphere.
2. The surface of the particle must be smooth.
3. The resistance to fall or drag force Fais due to the viscosity of the fluid.
4. The terminal velocity must be constant.
A free-body diagram of the sphere after it has acquired constant velocity or terminal
velocity is shown in the sketch where W is the weight of the sphere. Fois the buoyant force and
Fa, the deformation drag.
or
solving for μ:
Equation (4) has to be corrected in actual practice because the extent of the fluid is not
infinite and the influence of boundary proximity on the sphere is large. The correction is usually
affected by multiplying the observed velocity of fall Vs by a certain constant “K” which is a
function of d / Dm the diameter of the sphere and medium ratio, such that
where:
The equation for viscosity then becomes
for which the viscosity can be computed.
From the data obtained in the laboratory, compute for each run
1. (a) Ratio of sphere diameter to diameter of medium d / Dm
(b) Correction constant K
(c) The observed velocity of fall Vs
(d) Dynamic viscosity μ
2. Using the computed value of dynamic viscosity “μ” compute for the kinematic
viscosity “ ”.
3. Plotted Vs versus d/Dm.
LIST OF APPARATUS:
1) Pycnometer
2) Hydrometer
3) Set of Weights
4) Table Balance
5) Falling Sphere Viscometer
6) Stop Watches
7) Thermometer
8) Caliper
9) Steel Bars
10) Meter Stick
SET – UP OF APPARATUS:
PROCEDURES:
A) By Hydrometer Method
1) Clean hydrometer and graduated cylinder.
2) Pour liquid to be tested inside the graduated cylinder SAE 10 and SAE 50.
3) Drop slowly the hydrometer inside the graduated cylinder.
4) Read value in hydrometer.
B) By Pycnometer Method
1) Clean the pycnometer bottle and weigh it with the table balance and call the weight
as Wp.
2) Pour water inside the pycnometer up to the level of air outlet, weigh it and call it
Wpw.
3) Clean the pycnometer bottle, pour the liquid to be tested: SAE 10 and 50 alcohol,
diesel, gasoline, kerosene in the pycnometer bottle and call it Wpo.
4) Compute for the specific gravity by:
𝑾𝒑𝒐−𝑾𝒑
Specific Gravity = 𝑾𝒑𝒘−𝑾𝒑
C) By Falling Sphere Viscometer
1) Determine the temperature and specific gravity of the liquid whose viscosity is
desired.
2) Drop cautiously one of the spheres noting whether the sphere is guided correctly or
is off-center.
3) Determine the time required for the sphere to travel a certain distance
4) Repeat the procedure for each sphere.
DATA AND RESULTS:
I. Determination of Specific Gravity
Pycnometer Method
Liquid Specific Gravity Viscosity
Wp Wpw Wpo
SAE 10 - 30 0.8 g 76.54 g 68.04 g 0.8878 32° Baume
SAE 50 0.8 g 76.54 g 60.87 g 0.7931 32° Baume
Alcohol 0.8 g 76.54 g 70.87 g 0.9251 -
Diesel 0.8 g 76.54 g 65.20 g 0.8503 -
Gasoline 0.8 g 76.54 g 62.37 g 0.8129 -
Kerosene 0.8 g 76.54 g 65.20 g 0.8503 -
Water 0.8 g 76.54 g 68.04 g 0.8843 -
II. Determination of Viscosity by Falling Sphere Viscometer

SAE 10 - 30 @ 30oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
1 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
6
2 0.25 0.4 0.625 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2
3 0.25 0.3 0.83 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
8
SAE 50 @ 30.2oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
1 0.25 0.7 0.357 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
6
2 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2
3 0.25 0.47 0.532 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
8
Alcohol @ 30oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
0.25 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
1 0.28 0.893
6
0.25 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2 0.14 1.786
2
0.25 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
3 0.12 2.083
8
Diesel @ 29.2 oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
1 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
6
2 0.25 0.27 0.926 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2
3 0.25 0.26 0.962 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
8
Gasoline @ 29.5oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
1 0.25 0.28 0.893 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
6
2 0.25 0.24 1.042 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2
3 0.25 0.19 1.316 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
8
Kerosene @ 29.5oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
0.25 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
1 0.28 0.893
6
0.25 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2 0.27 0.926
2
0.25 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
3 0.26 0.962
8
Water @ 29.3oC
Ball Y t Vo d Dm Vt
d/Dm K μ v
No. (m) (sec) (m/s) (m) (m) (m/s)
0.25 0.004 0.036 0.128 1.299
1 0.42 0.595 6
0.25 0.006 0.036 0.172 1.409
2 0.33 0.751
2
0.25 0.007 0.036 0.217 1.522
3 0.26 0.962
8
SAMPLE COMPUTATION:
For Vo:
Let:
h = 250 mm = 0.25 m
Dm = 36 mm = 0.036 m
For SAE 10 – 30: For SAE 50:
ℎ ℎ
Vo = Vo =
𝑡 𝑡
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
Ball 1: Vo = 𝑡 = = 0.5 m/sec Ball 1: Vo = 𝑡 = = 0.357 m/sec
0.5 𝑠 0.7 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.4 𝑠 0.5 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.3 𝑠 0.47 𝑠
For Alcohol: For Diesel:
ℎ ℎ
Vo = Vo =
𝑡 𝑡
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
Ball 1: Vo = = = 0.893 m/sec Ball 1: Vo = = = 0.5 m/sec
𝑡 0.28 𝑠 𝑡 0.5 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.14 𝑠 0.27 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.12 𝑠 0.26 𝑠
For Gasoline: For Kerosene:
ℎ ℎ
Vo = Vo =
𝑡 𝑡
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.28 𝑠 0.28 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.24 𝑠 0.27 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚 ℎ 0.25 𝑚
0.19 𝑠 0.26 𝑠
For Water:
ℎ
Vo = 𝑡
ℎ 0.25 𝑚
Ball 1: Vo = 𝑡 = = 0.595 m/sec
0.42 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚
Ball 2: Vo = 𝑡 = = 0.751 m/sec
0.33 𝑠
ℎ 0.25 𝑚
Ball 3: Vo = 𝑡 = = 0.962 m/sec
0.26 𝑠
For K:
9𝑑 (9𝑑)2
K = 1 + 4𝐷𝑚 + ; Let dball1 = 0.0046 m, dball2 = 0.0062 m, dball3 = 0.0078 m, Dm = 0.036 m
4𝐷𝑚
9(0.0046 𝑚) (9[0.0046 𝑚])2

Ball 1: K = 1 + + = 1.299
4(0.036 𝑚) 4(0.036 𝑚)
9(0.0062 𝑚) (9[0.0062 𝑚])2

Ball 2: K = 1 + + = 1.409
4(0.036 𝑚) 4(0.036 𝑚)
9(0.0078 𝑚) (9[0.0078 𝑚])2

Ball 3: K = 1 + + = 1.522
4(0.036 𝑚) 4(0.036 𝑚)
𝑑
For :
𝐷𝑚
0.0046 𝑚
Ball 1: = 0.128
0.036 𝑚
0.0062 𝑚
Ball 2: = 0.172
0.036 𝑚
0.0078 𝑚
Ball 3: = 0.217
0.036 𝑚
For Specific Gravity:

𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝
SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 68.04−0.8
For SAE 10: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.8878
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 60.87−0.8
For SAE 50: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.7931
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 70.87−0.8
For ALCOHOL: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.9251
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 65.20−0.8
For DIESEL: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.8503
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 62.37−0.8
For GASOLINE: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.8129
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 65.20−0.8
For KEROSENE: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = 76.54−0.8 = 0.8503
𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 68.04 −0.8

For WATER: SG = 𝑊𝑝𝑤−𝑊𝑝 = = 0.8843
76.54−0.8
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
1. According to the PSME code, what are the SAE numbers?
SAE number is a code for specifying the viscosity of lubricating oil, established
by the U.S. Society of Automotive Engineers. The numbers for crankcase lubricants
range from 5 to 50 for transmission and axle lubricants they range from 75 to 250; lower
the number, the more readily the oil flows.
2. How is specific gravity measured in an experimental setting?
Specific gravity can be measured using a hydrometer or a pycnometer. In a
hydrometer method, the device is floated in the fluid, and the level at which it floats
corresponds to the specific gravity. In a pycnometer method, the weight of a known
volume of fluid is compared to the weight of the same volume of water at a specific
temperature.
DISCUSSION:
In this experiment, we aimed to determine the specific gravity and viscosity of various
fluid fuel as these properties are critical indicators of fuel quality and performance. Specific
gravity provides insights into the fuel density relative to water which is essential for
understanding its energy content.
The data presents specific gravity and viscosity measurements using the hydrometer
and pycnometer method for various liquids offering better understanding into their physical
properties. Particularly, alcohol exhibits the highest specific gravity (0.9251), indicating its
density relative to water, while SAE 50 oil displays the lowest specific gravity (0.7931) despite
sharing the same viscosity (32° Baume) as SAE 10-30 oil. These findings have significant
implications guiding decisions in industries ranging from automotive lubrication to fuel
selection and industrial processes. Understanding these properties allows for informed choices
regarding material suitability, ensuring efficiency, safety, and optimal performance in field
applications.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION:
This experiment aimed to determine the specific gravity of liquid fuels using the
pycnometer and hydrometer methods, and to measure viscosity using the falling sphere
method. While specific gravity values were successfully obtained factors such as temperature
changes and improper cleaning of materials which could affect the results were overlooked.
The same issues were neglected in measuring viscosity.
Accurate timing was essential for finding the velocity of the steel balls but errors in
starting and stopping the stopwatch led to high error percentages. Additionally, conducting only
one trial per liquid made the results less reliable. To improve accuracy, it is recommended not
to overlook factors like temperature, to use separate equipment for each liquid to avoid
contamination, and to perform multiple trials for each experiment.
Experiment No. 2
FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF LIQUID FUELS
AND GREASE DROP TEST
OBJECTIVES:
1. To be able to determine the flash and fire points of liquid fuels and
fire points of liquid fuels and lubricating oils by open cup method.
2. To be able to determine the melting point of greases.
THEORY/HYPOTHESIS:
Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which an oil gives
off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable condition. The flash point can be
determined by passing a flame or a quantity of oil. It is observable due to
the ignition of the gas. Greases are classified according to the kind of soap as the base or
lime-base greases. The lime-soap base greases are an emulsion of mineral oils
and water, stabilized by the soap base. The presence of an amount of water
in a lime-based grease will cause a dull or cloudy appearance. If the water
content is not sufficient, the grease will exhibit a granular composition. A
lime base grease should be bright and water resistant and should be dense so
as to permit no oil to separate from the grease while in storage.
LIST OF APPARATUS:
1) Open Cup Tester
2) Bunsen Burner
3) Thermometer
4) Graduated Cylinder
5) Tripod
6) Test Tube
7) Grease Cup
8) Beaker
9) Test Tube Holder
10) Wire Gauze
SET-UP OF APPARATUS:
PROCEDURES:
1) Place the oil to be tested inside the cup.
2) Heat oil to about 280 °F.
3) Pass a flame at about half an inch over the oil.
4) Upon doing so, the greenish vapor is emitted. Get the temperature and
record it as the flash point.
5) Continue heating oil until it burns. Get the temperature when it burns
and this is the fire point.
Note:
The test flame is ignited for each 2 °F. Use up to 220 °F. Record the temperature as the
flash point when a greenish thing flashes. The true flash should not be confused with
the hollow flash that sometimes surrounds the test flame. When the oil reaches a flash
point, it will burn spontaneously.
6) Place the thermometer inside the apparatus.
7) Place the oil to be tested on the sides of the metallic cup.
8) Heat with 5 °F / min in an oil bath.
9) When the grease meets, get the temperature.
DATA AND RESULTS:
I. FOR FLASH AND FIRE POINTS OF LIQUID FUELS
Oil Measured in 10 ml Graduated Cylinder
SAE 10 - 30
Trial Before Temperature Flash Point Fire Point
1 29.1°C 221°C 450°C
SAE 40
Trial Before Temperature Flash Point Fire Point
1 29.1°C 220°C 440°C
II. FOR GREASE DROP TEST
Type of Grease Before Temperature Melting Point

Grease 1 29°C 250°C
Grease 1 29°C 280°C
DISCUSSION:
Experiment No. 3
CARBON RESIDUE
OBJECTIVES:
1. To be able to determine the carbon residue of a liquid fuel.
2. To be able to know the definition of a carbon residue test.
3. To be able to have knowledge about carbon residue of a liquid fuel.
THEORY AND HYPOTHESIS:
When an oil is heated to a high temperature in the absence of sufficient air a portion of
the oil will distill, thus leaving a carbon residue. The amount of this residue is an index to the
extent the oil is likely to decompose in service. Under engine-operating conditions, the amount
and type of the carbon formed has an important effect upon the performance of the engine.
While no maximum residue specifications for lubricating oils are commonly given, a relatively
smaller amount in one oil compared with another should be favorable.
Apparatus known as the Conradson carbon-residue tester is widely used in this country.
It consist of a mortar kettle with a Skidmore iron crucible resting upon a layer of sand in a
second larger iron crucible, all of which are supported upon a wire triangle on a metal stand of
specified dimensions. The assembled tester is shown in the figure. The crucibles are surrounded
by an asbestos block and covered by a sheet-iron hood and chimney. Heat is applied by a Meker
burner. An analytical balance is used to weigh the sample of oil and the residue.
A clean porcelain crucible is weighed to the nearest 5mg, then filled with a 10g sample
of oil and weighed to the same accuracy. The crucible is then placed in a Skidmore crucible.
The sand in the large iron crucible is leveled, and the Skidmore crucibles are covered, and the
assembly of crucibles is centered on a wire triangle with the asbestos
insulation on a suitable ring stand. The whole is covered with the sheet-iron hood, and heat is
applied with a strong flame from the Meker burner so that the preignition period will be from
8.5 to 11.5 min. When smoke appears from the chimney, the burner is moved or tilted so that
the flame passes up one side of the crucible and ignites the oil vapor. The burner is momentarily
removed and the gas flame adjusted so that the vapors burn uniformly with the high flame
above the chimney but not above the bridge on top of the chimney. The burning period should
be from 12 to 14 min.
When the burning and smoking have ceased, the burner is adjusted so that the bottom
of the iron crucible is heated to a cherry red for exactly 7 min. The total period of heating
should be 28 to 32 min. The burner is then removed and the apparatus is allowed to cool for
about 15 min. The porcelain crucible and contents are reweighed, and the percentage of carbon
residue is calculated on the basis of the original sample weight.
The Conradson Test for the amount of carbon in oil is accurate if test is properly
performed. Also through the experiment it was found out that Carison residue is very small
compared to the amount of other components in oil. Carbon residue test determine the
percentage of carbon that remains in a sample after the volatile vapors had been driven off by
heat.
LIST OF APPARATUS:
1) Meker Bunsen Burner
2) Hold Porcelain Crucible
3) Tripod
4) Wire Mesh
5) Chimney
SET-UP OF APPARATUS:
PROCEDURES:
1) Place the two glass bends provided which are about 1" diameter in the mortar kettle and
include their weight in the net weight of the crucible. Then, add 20.3 grams of the oil
to be tested accurately weighed and free from impurities.
2) Apply the covers to both the Skidmore and the iron crucible, the one to the later fitting
loosely to allow exit of vapors that are formed.
3) Place the bare nichrome wire triangle on the metal tripod on the asbestos block as
hollow sheet metal box. Center the short iron crucible into the block with its bottom
resting on top of the triangle and cover the whole with the sheet iron hood in order to
distribute the heat during the process.
4) Apply heat with a highly strong flame from a Meker type gas burner so that the
preignition period will be 10 and 1 12 minutes. When some smoke appear above the
chimney, immediately move or tilt the burner so that the gas flame plays on the sides
of the crucible for the purpose of igniting the vapors. Then, remove the heat temporarily
and before replacing adjust the gas flame so that the ignited vapors burn uniformly with
the flame above the chimney, but not above the wire bridge. Heat may be increased if
necessary, when the flame does not show above the chimney. The period of burning the
vapors shall be 13 and 1 minutes.
5) When the vapors cease to burn and no further blue smoke can be seen, readjust the
burner to hold the heat as in the beginning so as to make the bottom, and the cover part
of the sheet-iron crucible, red and maintain for exactly 7 minutes. The total
6) period of heating should be 2 to 30 minutes, which constitute an additional limitation
on the tolerances for the preignition and burning periods.
7) There should be no difficulty in carrying out the test exactly or directed with the gas
burner provided, using city gas with the top of the burner about 2" below the bottom of
the crucible. The time periods should be observed with whatever burner or gas used.
8) Remove the burner and allow the apparatus to cool until no smoke appears, then remove
the cover of the Skidmore crucible. Remove the porcelain crucible with heated tongs,
place in the desiccator, cool and weigh.
9) The total weight of the crucible plus beads and 10 grams of oil at start minus the weight
of the crucible plus beads and carbon residue at finish equals loss of oil on grams. The
10 grams of oil minus loss in weight of oil equals carbon residue in grams, divided by
10 grams equals % of carbon residue.
weight of carbon residue

% of carbon residue = x 100%
weight of oil
wt. of residue = wt. of crucible and carbon residue − wt. of crucible
(wt. of crusible and residue) − wt. of crucible

(wt. of crusible and oil) − wt. of crucible
DATA AND RESULTS:
`Weight of Mortar Kettle: 449.47 g
Weight of Oil: 20.3 g
% of Carbon Residue: 53.69
Weight of Carbon Residue: 10.9 g
SAMPLE COMPUTATION:
For % of carbon residue:
weight of carbon residue

weight of oil
10.9g
% of carbon residue = x 100% = 𝟓𝟑. 𝟔𝟗
20.3g
For wt. of residue:
wt. of residue = wt. of crucible and carbon residue − wt. of crucible
wt. of residue = 449.47g + 10.9g − 449.47 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟗 𝐠
DISCUSSION:
Carbon residue, defined as the tendency of that fuel to form carbon deposits at high
temperature in an inert atmosphere. Carbon residue for a fuel is measured in weight
percentage (wt %) or parts per million by weight (ppm wt). High carbon residue value Is
undesirable for a fuel. The carbon residue test for liquid fuels measures carbon residue as a
weight percentage (wt %) or parts per million by weight (ppm wt). The test is applicable to
petroleum products that partially decompose when distilled at atmospheric pressure, and
carbon residue values can range from 0.10% to 30% (m/m).
Carbon residue is a coked material that forms when lubricating oil is exposed to high
temperatures. The amount of carbon residue increases with the amount of time the oil is used.
For example, virgin oil has a carbon residue of 0.825 wt. %, but after driving 1000, 1500, and
2000 km, the residue increases to 1.590, 1.902, and 4.628 wt. %, respectively. Carbon residue
provides information on the carbonaceous deposits which will result from combustion of the
fuel.
Carbon residue helps predict coke yield and indicate asphaltene content. It can also
indicate the amount of coke that will form under thermal stress in combustion chambers,
burners, reactors, distillation towers, and heat exchangers.
The study was conducted to determine the percentage of carbon residue produced by
SAE 10W-30, SAE 40 inside a mortar kettle, when exposed to highly strong flame from
electric mini stove for 2 mins and 30 seconds.
It is recommended when conduction this experiment, to use a different container in
heating the oil. It is also recommended to use other types of oil and a more efficient way of
producing heat to easily burn the oil and produce a better carbon residue.
EXPERIMENTS
IN
ME 326
(MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 1)
Submitted by: Submitted to:
Blancaflor, Ysabel S. Engr. Fred Mark Dela Torre
Castro, Kimson Joven
Ofalla, Zyrus John
Paclibar, Ephraim Von B.
BSME – 3A

Determination-of-Specific-Gravity

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Experiment No.

2. To be able to determine the viscosity of any liquid.

standard unit, a cubic centimeter of water, weighs exactly one gram.

Specific gravity of a liquid is determined most accurately in most cases where a

with care being taken to avoid the formation of air bubbles.

In commercial practice, the specific gravity of liquids is usually determined by an

arbitrary scale as Baume, API, Twadell or Beck.

Commercial Falling-Sphere Viscometers are non-available. One type of which is shown in

principles in case of flow around a small sphere.

For Laminar Flow in which d is the diameter of the sphere.

1. The particle must be a sphere.

2. The surface of the particle must be smooth.

Fa, the deformation drag.

The equation for viscosity then becomes

1. (a) Ratio of sphere diameter to diameter of medium d / Dm

(b) Correction constant K

(c) The observed velocity of fall Vs

(d) Dynamic viscosity μ

3. Plotted Vs versus d/Dm.

5) Falling Sphere Viscometer

10) Meter Stick

1) Clean hydrometer and graduated cylinder.

3) Drop slowly the hydrometer inside the graduated cylinder.

4) Read value in hydrometer.

diesel, gasoline, kerosene in the pycnometer bottle and call it Wpo.

4) Compute for the specific gravity by:

C) By Falling Sphere Viscometer

4) Repeat the procedure for each sphere.

II. Determination of Viscosity by Falling Sphere Viscometer

For SAE 10 – 30: For SAE 50:

For Alcohol: For Diesel:

9(0.0046 𝑚) (9[0.0046 𝑚])2

9(0.0062 𝑚) (9[0.0062 𝑚])2

9(0.0078 𝑚) (9[0.0078 𝑚])2

For Specific Gravity:

𝑊𝑝𝑜−𝑊𝑝 68.04 −0.8

1. According to the PSME code, what are the SAE numbers?

the number, the more readily the oil flows.

2. How is specific gravity measured in an experimental setting?

Specific gravity can be measured using a hydrometer or a pycnometer. In a

corresponds to the specific gravity. In a pycnometer method, the weight of a known

understanding its energy content.

implications guiding decisions in industries ranging from automotive lubrication to fuel

The same issues were neglected in measuring viscosity.

contamination, and to perform multiple trials for each experiment.

2. To be able to determine the melting point of greases.

Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which an oil gives

determined by passing a flame or a quantity of oil. It is observable due to

in a lime-based grease will cause a dull or cloudy appearance. If the water

content is not sufficient, the grease will exhibit a granular composition. A

as to permit no oil to separate from the grease while in storage.

1) Open Cup Tester

9) Test Tube Holder

10) Wire Gauze

1) Place the oil to be tested inside the cup.

2) Heat oil to about 280 °F.

3) Pass a flame at about half an inch over the oil.

record it as the flash point.

and this is the fire point.

point, it will burn spontaneously.

6) Place the thermometer inside the apparatus.

7) Place the oil to be tested on the sides of the metallic cup.

8) Heat with 5 °F / min in an oil bath.

9) When the grease meets, get the temperature.