Thermodynamics Experiment

Title:
Thermodynamics properties using Armfield TH3 apparatus

Objective:
1. To study the relation between liquid and vapor state, by observing the relation between
temperature and vapor pressure of the fluid, water.
2. To learn about the concepts of absolute and gauge pressure.

Summary:

In this experiment, it was studied the effect of one thermodynamic property on other. And phase
change and phase properties are studied. In this experiment, when temperature is changed the
pressure also change and keep changing temperature result in changing of pressure. Armfield
apparatus is helpful in understanding how temperature of fluid, water, behaves at its boiling point
by variation in absolute pressure. It also helps in understanding the making of steam table and
quality of wet steam can also be found by this apparatus. Saturation curve between liquid and
vapor phase can be made by this apparatus that help in understanding of different
thermodynamic properties.

Introduction:

Armfield apparatus comprises of a boiler that is used for heating of water. This apparatus has
large applications. It is helpful in defining pressure variation on different levels and temperature
changing with it. It has great industrial application as the boilers used at industrial scale for
production of steam are based on this concept. It help in understanding the behavior of different
phases of fluid at different temperature.

Apparatus:

Armfield apparatus is helpful in understanding

followings:

1. Understanding saturation curves and the

characteristics of a two-phase fluid.
2. Understanding the origin and use of steam
tables.
3. Using a throttling calorimeter to determine the
quality of wet steam.
Following are the main parts of Armfield apparatus:

1. Pressure relief valve

2. Throttling calorimeter
3. Boiler
4. Heating element
5. Filling point
6. Water as fluid

Safety:

Follow all instructions carefully

The equipment is fitted with pressure relief valve, as essential safety feature. Heating liquid and
vapor in a close system raises the pressure and stores a considerable amount of energy. Without a
mean of excessive pressure, either the vessel could burst, or a week point, perhaps the sight glass
could fail. This would result in emission of superheated water, at 170​o​C or higher. Hot fluid
could cause injuries and safety screen also fitted for backup measure.

Symbol:

P = pressure
T = temperature
A, B = constants
Ω is temperature measured in o​​ C
P​a​ = absolute pressure
P​g = gauge pressure

Theory:

temperature and pressure are two important parameters that can change many physical properties
of a pure substance. As we know that Armfield TH3 apparatus help in making steam table. from
TP diagram we can study the phase change of a substance. We can also read saturation line by
drawing PV diagram for water using Armfield TH3 apparatus. In which we can study the change
of phase with changing pressure and by viewing change in volume. So we can say that if liquid
and gas are allowed to heat, there would be a certain relation between temperature and pressure.

we observe that water boils at different temperature at different places. like at height it boils
earlier at 97C while on ground it boils at 100C. therefore the boiling temperature and pressures
are not constant but they change depending upon each other. this relationship between pressure
and temperature is very important for different substance to design different unit operations. This
data is accurately found in the form of steam table.
The simplest relation at saturation between absolute temperature and absolute pressure is given
as follow:
B
​
ln p* = A + T

Where A and B are constants. Thus plot graph between ln p* and 1/T should give a straight line,
allowing estimation of A and B.

The pressure measured on system is gauge pressure. Relation between gauge pressure and
absolute pressure is as:
Gauge pressure ​ = absolute pressure – atmospheric pressure

Units of pressure are Nm​-2​, while atmospheric pressure is 101.325 Nm​-2​.

Units of temperature are K. on system temperature is indicated as Ω measured in o​​ C which is
converted to K.

Procedure:

Pre-check: students checked the apparatus which is about half full of water, with filling cap and
drain valve closed. the blowdown valve must be closed. Then they Recorded the initial values of
T1 and pressure.

Heating: they turned the heat on and allow to heat until 7 bars. They Observed the digital
indicator shows the pressure of 700 Nm​-2​.

Setting at high pressure: they opened the blowdown valve for 30 seconds, then closed and wait
for 30 seconds. They Repeated this twice more. This will bring vapor in contact with T1. Then
turned the heat down to ​half.

Reading off p*/T date​: they opened the blow down valve for 30 seconds. Then closed it.
Recorded the temperature and pressure. Then they Repeated this step until the pressure is 600
Nm​-2​. Then turn down the heat to ​one-quarter.

Again, they opened the blowdown valve for 30 seconds and then close it. Recorded the
temperature and pressure values and repeat this step until the pressure is 300 Nm​-2​. Then they
turn the heat down to ​one-eighth.

Again, they opened the blowdown valve for 30 seconds and then close it. Record the temperature
and pressure values and repeat this step until the pressure is 150 Nm​-2​. Then they turned the heat
off​​.

In the end they left the blowdown valve open and continue to record the temperature and
pressure values until the pressure is 20 Nm​-2​. When finished, they left the blowdown valve open.

Result and calculation:

 P​a​* T1 indicated ln P​a​* T1 1/T
Nm​-2 Ω o​​ C K K​-1
Full heat 698 157.7 6.548 430.7 0.00230
752 158.1 6.622 431.1 0.00232
726 158.1 6.587 431.1 0.00232
Half heat 688 157.8 6.533 430.8 0.00232
643 157.8 6.466 430.8 0/00232
640 157.7 6.461 430.7 0.00232
658 157.5 6.489 430.5 0.00232
652 157.3 6.480 430.3 0.00232
648 157.2 6.473 430.2 0.00232
637 157.1 6.456 430.1 0.00232
627 156.5 6.440 429.5 0.00232
616 156.4 6.423 429.4 0.00232
605 156.3 6.405 429.3 0.00232
580 156.2 6.363 429.2 0.00232
Quarter heat 527 155.3 6.267 428.3 0.00233
476 154.5 6.165 427.5 0.00233
444 154 6.095 427 0.00234
425 153.5 6.052 426.5 0.00234
412 153.1 6.021 426.1 0.00234
380 152.7 5.940 425.7 0.00234
360 152.3 5.886 425.3 0.00235
343 152 5.837 425 0.00235
326 151.6 5.786 424.6 0.00235
310 151.2 5.736 424.1 0.00235
287 150 5.659 423 0.00236
One-eighth 262 150 5.568 423 0.00236
heat 246 149.6 5.488 422.6 0.00236
229 149.2 5.433 422.2 0.00236
218 148.8 5.384 421.8 0.00237
204 148.5 5.318 421.5 0.00237
192 148 5.257 421 0.00237
180 147.7 5.192 420.7 0.00237
167 147.3 5.117 420.3 0.00237
157 146 5.056 419 0.00238
Heat off 133 146 5.030 419 0.00238
117 145 4.762 418 0.00239
102 144 4.624 417 0.00239
90 144 4.499 417 0.00239
78 143 4.356 416 0.00240
67 142 4.204 415 0.00240
57 142 4.043 415 0.00240
 47 142 3.850 415 0.00240
33 141 3.496 414 0.00241
23 140 3.135 413 0.00242

Plot​​ the graph between ln P​a​* and 1/T

Intercep 72.7332
t 1
slope -28535.3

Therefore, the value of constant ​A​ is 72.7

And value of constant ​B​ is -28535.3

Conclusion and discussion:

1. From graph it is concluded that as the 1/T increases the lnp* decreases. Which shows that
as the absolute temperature decreases the pressure also decreases. This is the reason why
water boil at low temperature when pressure is decreased and when pressure is increased
then the boiling point also increased.
2. There were some errors during experiments that can be decreased by increasing
automation and by using more sensitive indicators.
3. The vapor pressure exerted by fluid, water, increased as temperature is increased and vice
versa. Keep increasing the temperature of liquid, water, result in formation of more vapor
until it reaches the point where all liquid convert into vapor phase that temperature is
boiling temperature and we can draw line between liquid and vapor using this instrument.
4. Gauge pressure is the pressure that is exerted by vapor above the surface of liquid while
heating and it increase as temperature is increased.

References
Armfield apparatus, chemical engineering department
Armfield apparatus, Armfield innovators in engineering teaching equipment.