Expriment1

Calorific Value of solid Fuel

Overview
The burning of fuel in presence of air is known as combustion. It is a chemical reaction taking place between fuel and
oxygen at temperature above ignition temperature(ignition temperature is the minimum temperature at which a substance will

.
continue to burn without additional application of external heat). Heat is released during combustion process The amount of heat

energy produced by combustion of unit mass or volume of fuel is called its calorific value (CV). For the solid and liquid fuels,
unit mass is considered and unit of CV will be kJ/kg. For gaseous fuel, unit volume is considered under STP (standard
temperature and pressure) and the unit of CV will be kJ/m3. Most of the fuels contain hydrogen. During combustion process H2
combines with O2 and forms steam (water vapor). If this water vapor is condensed at constant temperature, large amount of heat
is released. On account of this, two types of calorific values are defined.
1- Higher Calorific Value (HCV) :
The higher calorific value is defined as the total heat liberated by combustion of unit mass of fuel when the water vapor
formed by combustion is completely condensed at constant temperature releasing its latent heat.
2- Lower Calorific Value (LCV) :
The lower calorific value of fuel is defined as the net heat liberated by combustion of unit mass of fuel when the water vapor
Formed by combustion exists completely in vapor phase.
Construction:
The calorimeter C consists of a thick walled bomb B made of stainless steel. It has a capacity of about 650 c.c. and it is designed to with
stand high pressure up to 200 atmospheres. The non-return oxygen valve V and a release valve U are connected to a bomb at the top.
The crucible made of silicon or quartz is carried on support ring R which can slide on insulated pillars P. The fuse wire W is passed
though the slots kept in pillars. The fuse wire is connected to electrical circuit. The sensitive thermometer T is used to measure the
temperature of water filled in the calorimeter. Stirrer is provided in the water to stir the water.
Bomb calorimeter
Theory:
Calorific value of solid and liquid fuels can be determined with the help of bomb calorimeter. The basic principle used for
determination of calorific value of fuel is that the known quantity of fuel is burnt and the heat energy liberated is transferred to a medium
of known mass and sp. heat and rise in temperature of that medium is measured.
Procedure

1. A pellet of solid fuel whose calorific value is to be determined is prepared and 1 gm of this pillet is kept into the
crucible.
2. A known quantity of water (approximately a bout 2500 c.c is filled a
round the bomb inside the calorimeter
3. The oxygen is admitted until a pressure of about 25 atmospheres. The
stirring of water is continued throughout the experiment and the
temperature readings are taken every minute.
4. After five minutes when the equilibrium sets, the fuel is ignited.

The temperature of water rises quickly due to heat energy released by the combustion of fuel.

5. After the temperature has reached its maximum value, it again starts
falling due to heat transfer losses to the surroundings.
6. At the end of experiment, the release valve is opened so that the
pressure inside the bomb reduces to atmospheric pressure.
Calculations
Let,
mf = mass of fuel
CV = calorific value of fuel
mc = mass of calorimeter
CC = sp. heat of calorimeter
mw = mass of water
Cw = sp. heat of water
T = rise in temperature of water and calorimeter
Heat released from combustion of fuel = heat gained by calorimeter
and water
mf x CV = mc CC T + mw Cw T
When other quantities are known, CV of fuel can be calculated.