Practical Training Lab Instructions

Laboratory

Technology and Bionics

Thermodynamics

Version 06_2016

Instructors

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Gebel

Dr. Nicholas Mockus

Tutors

Karolin Beckmann

Marian Rogge

Description 1.1 Measurement of Pressure and Temperature

Purpose
There are numerous ways of measuring pressure and temperature. These utilize
various physical processes to acquire pressure and temperature values. Current pressure
and temperature sensors are either analog or digital. Different types of gauges,
thermometers and electronic sensors will be discussed.

Significance
The underlying theories and significance of this experiment are described in detail by
the corresponding lab presentation.

Equipment
GUNT WL 202 Fundamentals of temperature measurement (incl. 6 thermometers)
GUNT WL 203 Fundamentals of pressure measurement
Water/Ice
Ink
Tubing and Syringe
Hot plate
Dewar

Safety Precautions

Danger of electric shock!

Prior to opening the switch cupboard, unplug the mains power plug.
Protect the electrical system from damp, splashing water and condensation.

Risk of burns on the hot plate and immersion heater!

Do not touch the hot plate and immersion heater during operation. At the end of the
experiment, allow the heater to cool down before it is packed away.

Risk of poisoning due to mercury escaping from destroyed mercury thermometer!

If a thermometer filled with mercury is destroyed: Observe the generally applicable safety
regulations for handling mercury.

Procedure
1. Using the syringe and tubing provided, attach the syringe to one side of the Utube manometer.
2. Depress the syringe by 10mL. Note the change in water height on both sides of
the manometer. Return the syringe plunger to its original position. Repeat the
experiment, this time withdrawing the syringe plunger by 10mL
3. Repeat this procedure for the inclined U-tube manometer.
4. Using the syringe, test the positive and negative pressure Bourdon tubes by
depressing the plunger and retracting the plunger, respectively. Be careful, not to
exceed the scale of the Bourdon tube, thereby risking damage to the gage.
5. Using the Bourdon tube calibration unit, observe the pressure reading as the
weights are added to the oil column. Be sure to adjust the oil level so the weights
float on the oil.
6. For temperature experiments, heat a metal container of water using the hot plate
to boiling. Concurrently add ice water to the Dewar.
7. Using the boiling water and ice water test the following thermometers;
-Mercury thermometer
-Gas pressure thermometer
-Bimetallic thermometer
-Pt 100 sensor
-NTC thermistor
-Type K thermocouple

Description 1.2 Marcet Boiler, Measurement of Boiling Curve

Purpose
The Marcet boiler demonstrates the
correlation between steam pressure and heating
temperature. An insulated steel vessel is filled with
a defined quantity of water and sealed pressuretight. The water is heated by an electric heater and
brought to the boil. To record the heating and
steam temperature the unit has a temperature
sensor element with an electronic evaluation unit
and a digital display. The steam pressure occurring
in the boiler during the experiments is calculated
and indicated by a mechanical manometer. A
safety valve prevents excess pressure build-up in
the boiler.

Significance
The underlying theories and significance of this experiment are described in detail by
the corresponding pre-lab presentation.

Equipment
GUNT WL 204 Marcet Boiler
~2L Deionized Water
High temperature and pressure rated tubing
Tubing clamps
1 large container filled with cooling water

Safety Precautions

Danger of explosion!
Only remove the seal plug of the filler opening when the boiler is fully depressurized!
Removing the seal plug under pressure will result in uncontrolled explosive emission of hot
steam.

Hot steam may be emitted!

Do not touch surfaces during operation!
The safety valve may activate suddenly.
Loud noise!
Large quantities of hot steam will then be emitted.
Never lean over the boiler while the experiment is in progress. Keep away from the boiler lid
and the safety valve drain pipe.
Exposed boiler surfaces and fittings become hot during operation!

Danger of electric shock!

Prior to opening the switch cupboard, unplug the mains power plug.
Work on the electrical system is only to be performed by suitably qualified personnel.
Protect the electrical system from damp, splashing water and condensation.

Danger of fire!
Do not place combustible materials in the vicinity of the boiler.

Procedure
1. The bench-top unit will be prepared as per the instruction manual by the
supervising instructor. For reference, this includes the following:

The boiler unit is filled to the fill line with deionized water.

The head space inside the boiler is purged of air my boiling the water inside at 100C
with the purge valve opened.

The system is then sealed and allowed to cool to room temperature.

2. Switch on the unit at the master switch.

3. Switch on the heater and record the pressure and temperature up to 15bar.

Description 2.1 Change of State of Gases

Purpose
The WL 102 table unit is for demonstrating Boyles law and
checking the state equation for ideal gases. It clearly shows the
relationship between change in volume and the associated change
in pressure of an enclosed gas. In another vessel, a fixed volume
of air can be heated to check the state equation and the
corresponding pressure change observed.

Significance
The underlying theories and significance of this experiment
are described in detail by the corresponding lab presentation.

Equipment
GUNT WL 102 Change of States of Gases
~3L Compressor Oil

Safety Precautions

Risk of bursting due to overpressure!

Do not compress the air inside the cylinder to less than 1L volume.

Risk of burns at hot surfaces!

Do not remove safety devices such as the guard.

Danger of electric shock!

Reaching into the open control cabinet can result in electric shocks.
Disconnect from the mains supply before opening.

NOTICE!

Prior to compressing the air in the pressure cylinder, it is imperative to ensure that the
air discharge valve on the top of the pressure cylinder is closed.
Risk of the escape and loss of sealing liquid.
Fill in 3 to 3,5 liters oil max.

Procedure
Isothermal Compression and Expansion
1. Turn on the unit at the main switch.
2. Open the air discharge valve on the lid of the cylinder to ensure the chamber is at
ambient pressure. Reclose the valve.
3. Move the compressor selector switch to position A. Turn on the compressor for
~30seconds using the switch. Open the needle valve and allow the oil to fill the
chamber until the oil level reaches the 1L mark on the vessel scale. Record the
pressure every 200mL. See Data table C1.
4. On graph C1, plot the pressure verses volume. On the data table, calculate pressure
times the volume.
5. Carefully open the air discharge valve on the lid of the pressure cylinder and release
the compressed air until ambient pressure is reached. Close the air discharge valve
again.
6. Move the selector switch to position B. Turn on the compressor for approximately
30seconds. Open the needle valve and expand the gas volume until the 3L mark on
the vessel scale is reached. Record the pressure at every 200mL. See Data table C1.
7. Carefully open the air discharge valve on the lid of the pressure cylinder and allow air
to flow into pressure cylinder until ambient pressure is reached.
8. On graph C2, plot the pressure verses volume. On the data table, calculate Pressure
times the Volume.
Isochoric Heating and Cooling
1. Make sure that the cylinder is at ambient temperature.
2. Open air discharge valve on the lid of the heatable cylinder and set the vessel to
ambient pressure. Close air discharge valve again.
3. Set the required final temperature (60C) on the heating regulator using the arrow
keys. Switch on heater and operate as long as necessary until the final temperature is
reached. Record the pressure at approximately every 10. See Table C1.
4. On graph C3, plot the pressure verses temperature. On the data table, calculate
Pressure divided by the Temperature.
5. Open air discharge valve on the lid of the heatable cylinder and set the vessel to
ambient pressure. Close air discharge valve again. Switch off the heater.
6. Leave the vessel to cool to ambient temperature. Record the pressure at
approximately every 10. See Table C1.
7. On graph C3, plot the pressure verses temperature. On the data table, calculate
Pressure divided by the Temperature.

Description 2.2 Air Compressor

Purpose
The MT 140 Piston Compressor has one piston
cylinder assembly connected to a fly wheel. In order to
operate the fly wheel it is connected to an electric motor. In
this setup, the piston is also connected to a storage tank,
where pressurized air is stored.

Significance
The underlying theories and significance of this
experiment are described in detail by the corresponding
lab presentation.

Equipment
GUNT MT 140 Piston Compressor assembly
Compressor Oil

Safety Precautions

Danger of electric shock!

Caution: high voltage
Prior to opening the switch cupboard, unplug the mains power plug.

Danger of fire!
Do not have open flame in the vicinity of the compressor oil.

Danger of entanglement!
Do not touch the motor belt or fly wheel while the machine is plugged in.

Procedure
1. The piston assembly, motor, fly wheel, and storage tank will havbe been previously
assembled. This will be discussed in depth by the instructor.
2. Connect the testing stage to the power supply.
3. Turn on the compressor. During intake vacuum is achieved in the piston assembly by
changing the piston head position with the fly wheel until the intake valve is open.
4. Afterward, intake air is compressed until the discharge valve is opened.
5. This process is repeated for the duration of the experiment.
6. To release the pressure in the storage tank, open the safety valve.
7. Students will record the pressure verses time for both a good installation of the piston
as well as a poor installation of the piston assembly.
8. Graph these values in the graph provided.
9. Concurrently, students will record the current consumption over time of the setup.
10. Graph these values in the graph provided
11. Once the experiment is concluded, the storage tank will be relieved of overpressure
and the assembly will be disconnected from the power supply.

Description 3.1 Steam Engine

Purpose
The ET 810 Single cylinder
Steam Engine demonstrates in a
clear manner the function of a steam
power plant using a scale model.
The system contains all the key
components of a steam power plant:
- Gas-heated boiler
- Piston steam engine with generator
- Condenser
- Feed water tank and feed pump

Significance
The underlying theories and significance of this experiment are described in detail by
the corresponding lab presentation.

Equipment
GUNT ET 810 Single cylinder Steam Engine
Deionized water
Lubricating oil
Graduated cylinder
Stopwatch

Safety Precautions

Risk of bursting due of overpressure!

Do not allow the pressure inside the steam boiler to exceed 4 bar.

Risk of burns at hot surfaces.

Do not remove safety devices or touch hot surfaces such as the propane flame or the
chimney.

Danger of fire!
Do not have open flame in the vicinity of the propane tank. Do not have flammable materials
in the vicinity of the steam boiler or flue gases.

Danger of electric shock!

Caution: high voltage
Prior to opening the switch cupboard, unplug the mains power plug.
Protect the electrical system from damp, splashing water and condensation.

Procedure
1. Adjust gas flow rate to 60 L/h.
2. Adjust cooling water flow rate to 60 l/h (This may change to maintain the
temperature difference of cooling water inlet and outlet to 5-10C).
3. Manually start steam engine and leave to run at low speed without load.
4. Adjust steam valve such that a pressure of 1.2 bar is maintained.
5. Wait until the system has reached a steady state
6. Open condensate valve V5, pour away condensate collected and place
measuring container underneath and run the system for 5 minutes
7. Read and note all measured value.
8. Repeat reading every 5 min and ensure that the measured values change as little
as possible
9. End experiment after 10 - 20 min.
10. Determine amount of condensate using the measuring container.

Description 3.2 Stirling Motor

Purpose
In addition to the semester project, we
present a larger scale version of a functioning
Stirling motor. This model is heated via heating coil
and equipped with a pressure sensor and wheel
sensor for measuring the volume inside the motor.

Significance
The Stilring Motor is an engine that outputs
work by transfering heat into mechanical work. The
basic principle of the Stirling Motor is the Stirling
cycle. Heat is introduced at the top of the Motor.
The gas inside the cylinder is heated up and by
isothermal expansion the piston is driven down
performing the first stroke of the motor. As the position of the piston changes, the cylinder
comes into contact with the cooling zone where the gas is cooled down and by isothermal
compression the piston is driven upwards in a counterstroke. By the up- and down movment
of the piston the fly wheel is rotated.

Equipment
LD Didactic Hot Gas Motor
Power supply for heat source
3L cooling water/ Bucket/ Pump with Power supply
LD data collection unit w/ laptop

Safety Precautions

Danger of entanglement!
Be careful of the fly wheel and the volume measuring chord during operation.

Risk of burns at hot surfaces!

Do not remove safety devices or touch hot surfaces such as the heating coil or its
surrounding casing.

Danger of electric shock!

Disconnect from the main supply before opening any voltage control unit. Be aware of
exposed connections to the heating unit or the pump.

Procedure
1. Fill the bucket with approx. 3L cooling water. Connect the water pump to the motor as
described and place the water pump inside the bucket. Adjust the power supply to
control the flow rate of cooling water.
2. Connect all measuring points to the data unit as per the instructions manual. Connect
the unit to a computer with the appropriate data collection software (CASSY Lab 2)
3. Turn on the power supply to the heating coil and adjust the voltage and current so
that the heating coil becomes glowing hot.
4. Manually kick start the motor by turning the fly wheel in the appropriate direction.
5. Wait until the system has reached a steady state
6. Run the Cassy lab software to collect a P-v Diagram of one cycle of the motor.
7. Integrate the area inside the graph.
8. Using the metal wheel magnetically attached to the fly wheel and a laser counter.
Measure the frequency of the motor.