Determination of the Calorific Value of Ethanol and Paraffin
Determination of the Calorific Value of Fuels
Aim:
To quantify the amount of energy produced by different fuels and to determine which fuel is more efficient (has a higher calorific value).
Introduction:
The easiest way to achieve our aim is by heating a substance with a known specific heat capacity and using the energy released from burning our fuels. This will give us the value of the heat energy released by the combustion of our two fuels.
The chemical reaction for combustion:
FUEL + O2 Heat energy released CO2 + H2O
It is the heat energy released that we are concerned with, the amount released in this reaction will provide us with the calorific value for each fuel.
Materials and Method 1. All materials and equipment was gathered this included; a calorimeter, crucible, candle (Paraffin wax), matches, teat pipette, boss and clamp, stand, tripod stand and ethanol. 2. Set up the apparatus (see diagram) 3. Measure the weight of the candle the empty crucible, the empty calorimeter and record results. 4. Fill the calorimeter ¾ full of water. 5. Measure the calorimeter containing water. 6. Clamp calorimeter. 7. Measure the initial temperature of water and record. 8. Using the pipette put about a pipettes worth of ethanol into the crucible. 9. Place the crucible on top of the tripod and under the calorimeter and light the ethanol. 10. Put the polystyrene cover over the calorimeter and stir the water gently. 11. When all ethanol has burned out record the highest temperature reading on the thermometer. 12. Record the temperature difference. 13. Do not change the water. 14. Set up the experiment to burn the candle. 15. Re-measure the initial temperature of the water. 16. Light the candle and stir the water gently. 17. Once the temperature has increased by the same amount it increased in the first experiment blow out the candle and weigh
Aim:
To quantify the amount of energy produced by different fuels and to determine which fuel is more efficient (has a higher calorific value).
Introduction:
The easiest way to achieve our aim is by heating a substance with a known specific heat capacity and using the energy released from burning our fuels. This will give us the value of the heat energy released by the combustion of our two fuels.
The chemical reaction for combustion:
FUEL + O2 Heat energy released CO2 + H2O
It is the heat energy released that we are concerned with, the amount released in this reaction will provide us with the calorific value for each fuel.
Materials and Method 1. All materials and equipment was gathered this included; a calorimeter, crucible, candle (Paraffin wax), matches, teat pipette, boss and clamp, stand, tripod stand and ethanol. 2. Set up the apparatus (see diagram) 3. Measure the weight of the candle the empty crucible, the empty calorimeter and record results. 4. Fill the calorimeter ¾ full of water. 5. Measure the calorimeter containing water. 6. Clamp calorimeter. 7. Measure the initial temperature of water and record. 8. Using the pipette put about a pipettes worth of ethanol into the crucible. 9. Place the crucible on top of the tripod and under the calorimeter and light the ethanol. 10. Put the polystyrene cover over the calorimeter and stir the water gently. 11. When all ethanol has burned out record the highest temperature reading on the thermometer. 12. Record the temperature difference. 13. Do not change the water. 14. Set up the experiment to burn the candle. 15. Re-measure the initial temperature of the water. 16. Light the candle and stir the water gently. 17. Once the temperature has increased by the same amount it increased in the first experiment blow out the candle and weigh