FLUE GAS ANALYSIS

ORSAT
APPARATUS
 CONTENT
This presentation involves the following:
o Introduction
o Construction
o Working
• Includes three steps.
o Significance
o Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

• The mixture of gases (like CO2, CO, N2, O2 etc)

coming out from the combustion chamber is called
flue gas. The analysis of a flue gas would give an
idea whether the combustion process is complete
or incomplete. The analysis of flue gases is carried
out by Orsat’s apparatus.
• If the gases contain considerable amount of
carbon monoxide, it indicates that incomplete
combustion is occurring (i.e. considerable wastage
of fuel is taking place).
 INTRODUCTION CONTD..

• It also indicates that there is a shortage in the supply

of oxygen for combustion
• If the flue gases contain a considerable amount of
oxygen, it indicates the oxygen supply is in excess,
though the combustion may be complete.
ORSAT APPARATUS
 CONSTRUCTION
•Consists of a water-jacketed measuring burette, connected in
series to a set of three absorption bulbs, each through a stop-
cock.
•The other end is provided with a three-way stop-cock, the free
end of which is further connected to a U-tube packed with glass
wool (for avoiding the incoming of any smoke particles, etc.).
• The graduated burette is surrounded by a water-jacket to keep
the temperature of the gas constant during the experiment.
•The lower end of the burette is connected to a water reservoir
by means of a long rubber tubing.
•The absorption bulbs are made with glass tubes, so that the
surface area of contact between the gas and the solution is
increased.
 CONSTRUCTION
CONTD..
• The absorption bulbs have solutions for the absorption of
CO2, O2 and CO respectively.
• First bulb has ‘potassium hydroxide’ solution and it absorbs
only CO2.
• Second bulb has a solution of ‘alkaline pyrogallic and it can
absorb CO2 and O2.
• Third bulb contains ‘ammonical cuprous chloride’ and it can
absorb CO2, O2 and CO.
• Hence, it is necessary that the flue gas is passed first
through potassium hydroxide bulb, where CO2 is absorbed,
then through alkaline pyrogallic acid bulb, where only O2
will be absorbed ( because CO2 has already been
removed) and finally through ammonical cuprous chloride
bulb, where only CO will be absorbed.
 WORKING
• STEP 1
• The whole apparatus is thoroughly cleaned, stoppers
greased and then tested for air-tightness.
• The absorption bulbs are filled with their respective
solutions to level just below their rubber connections.
• Their stop-cocks are then closed. The jacket and
leveling reservoir are filled with water.
• The three-way stop-cock is opened to the atmosphere
and reservoir is raised, till the burette is completely
filled with water and air is excluded from the burette.
• The three-way stop-cock is now connected to the flue
gas supply and the reservoir is lowered to draw in the
gas, to be analyzed, in the burette.
 WORKING CONTD..
• STEP 1 Contd..
• The sample gas mixed with some air is present in the
apparatus. So the three-way stop-cock is opened to the
atmosphere, and the gas expelled out by raising the
reservoir.
• This process of sucking and exhausting of gas is repeated
3-4 times, so as to expel the air from the capillary
connecting tubes, etc.
• Finally, gas is sucked in the burette and the volume of the
flue gas is adjusted to 100 mL at atmospheric pressure.
• For adjusting final volume, the three-way stop-cock is
opened to atmosphere and the reservoir is carefully
raised, till the level ofwater in it is the same as in the
burette, which stands at 100 mL mark.
• The three-way stop-cock is then closed.
 WORKING CONTD..
• STEP 2
• The stopper of the absorption bulb, containing caustic
potash solution, is opened and all the gas is forced into
this bulb by raising the water reservoir.
• The gas is again sent to the burette.
• This process is repeated several times to ensure
complete absorption of CO2 [by KOH solution].
 WORKING CONTD..
• STEP 2 Contd..
• The unabsorbed gas is finally taken back to the burette, till
the level of solution in the CO2 absorption bulb stands at
the constant mark and then, its stop-cock is closed.
• The levels of water in the burette and reservoir are
equalised and the volume of residual gas is noted.
• The decrease in volume-gives the volume of CO2 in 100
mL of the flue gas sample.
• STEP 3
• The volumes of O2 and CO are similarly determined by
passing the remaining gas through alkaline pyrogallic acid
bulb and ammonical cuprous chloride bulb respectively.
• The gas remaining in burette after absorption of CO 2, O2
and CO is taken as nitrogen.
 SIGNIFICANCE

•  Flue gas analysis gives an idea about the complete

or incomplete combustion process.
•  If the flue gas contains considerable amount of CO, it
indicates that incomplete combustion is occurring
and it also indicates the short supply of O2.  
• If the flue gases contain considerable amount of O2, it
indicates that complete combustion is occurring and
also it indicates that excess of O2 is supplied.
 CONCLUSION
• Since flue gases consist of the end products of a
combustion process, their composition is of interest and
important from the view point of: 1.safety 2.efficiency and
3.computation of specific values which might affect the
continuity of a process. In combustion process the
common personnel hazard is carbon monoxide which can
result from incomplete combustion.
• An operational hazard can be the formation of an
explosive mixture. This hazard can be present wherever
combustible gases or vapors are in contact with a
substance which will support combustion and the
properties are in the explosive range. Flue gas analysis
can be used to detect and to confirm and locate suspected
condition of this nature.