INTRODUCTION

Calorimetry is the field of science to measuring quantities of heat. The basic instrument
used in determination of heat is called calorimeters. In this process the concerned only focus on
boys gas calorimeter. The Boys gas calorimeter is a simple and effective means of measuring
gases calorific values. The Boys gas Calorimeter is named after an English physicist called Sir
Charles Boys (1855-1944). It is the standard piece of equipment used to calculate the Higher
Calorific (HCV) and the Lower Calorific (LCV) of gases. Calorimetry is the name given to the
measurement of heat. When a fuel is burnt at constant pressure the energy transferred as heat to
the surroundings per unit quantity of fuel is called the calorific value. The products of
combustion will be at the same temperature as the fuel and air (reactants). If condensation occurs
in the water on the products side then the Higher Calorific value is determined, However if the
water remains in the vapour phase then the Lower Calorific value is sought.

There are two types of calorific values as stated earlier.

1. Higher calorific value(HCV)
- It is the total heat liberated by the complete combustion of 1kg of fuel.
This is determined by bringing all the products of combustion back to
pre combustion temperature. (Means condensing any water vapor
produced.) In higher calorific value we assume that water is in a liquid
state after combustion and it absorbs some amount of heat to make that
liquid water into vapor water. This heat is known as the latent heat of
2.

vaporization.
Lower calorific value (LCV)
It is the difference of higher calorific value and heat absorbed by
water vapors. This treats as any H2O formed as vapor. The energy
required to vaporize water is therefore not released as heat.

The inside of the calorimeter contain special design of cooling coil with flowing water.
The rotameter is provided to measured flow of cooling water. Thermometer is install in inlet and
outlet between water flowing through the coil. The calorimeter is designed to ensure the

maximum heat transfer to the cooling liquid and hence accurate measurement of calorific value
of gas.

In this experiment, the fluid use is gaseous fuel. There is many way to determine the
calorific value of gaseous fuel in this advanced technology era. One of them is by using boys
gas calorimeter. A steady supply of gas is burned inside with steady supply of water. The
temperature rise is measured to calculate the calorific value of burning gaseous fuel.
.
But in this century, Boys gas calorimeter is used to determine the calorific value of
gaseous fuel. It consists of a burner, a chimney and radiator coils. A regulator is used in the gas
supply line to damp down any pressure fluctuations which would affect the result. The cooling
water is supplied to the cooling coil from a tank located at the top of the container. The steam
formed due to the combustion of hydrogen in the fuel condenses around the cooling coil. The
overflow of the condensate is taken out.

5.0 PROCEDURES

5.1 Start-Up Procedures

1 All the water lines were checked.
2 The supply water was opened.
3 Gas supply was switched on.
4 Fire adjuster was adjusted about 0.3 L/s.
5 Light up the burner.
6 Open the water supply.
7 Gas calorimeter was inserted into the gas calorimeter box.
5.2 Experimental Procedures
1. The apparatus were set-up correctly by following the start-up procedures.
2. The current reading of atmospheric pressure was recorded from the Aneroid Barometer.
3. The calorimeter water outlet spout was positioned over the section of the changeover
funnel that drains into the sink.
4. The collecting beaker was completely emptied and drained.
5. When the meter pointer was approached the top of the dial on the gas meter, reading from
gas inlet temperature was recorded.
6. When the meter pointer approached the top of the dial, the calorimeter water outlet spout
was moved to the section of changeover funnel that was directed to the collecting beaker.
At the same time, stopwatch was started simultaneously.
7. After complete revolution of the gas meter reading, the water inlet and outlet temperature
on calorimeter and time taken from stopwatch were recorded.
8. When revolution of gas meter completed, the calorimeter outlet spout was move back to
the section of the changeover funnel that is directed to the sink and stop the stopwatch.
9. The experiment was repeated four times.
10. Shut-down procedures were conducted.
5.3. Shut-Down Procedures
1. Gas supply was switched off.
2. Water supply was closed off.