INTRODUCTION

Boys gas calorimeter is a simple apparatus that is suitable for

determining calorific value of gaseous fuels. This apparatus was named
after an English physicist and inventor Sir Charles Vernon boys (1918).

From this, we can calculate both the lower calorific value as well
as the higher calorific value of gases.
Calorimetry is the science of measuring heat. Calorific value is
defined as the amount of energy released after burning 1kg of fuel.
There are two types of calorific values as I 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 vaporization.
2. 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.

If the condensation part of the boys gas colorimeter works properly we

can find the higher calorific value. If water remains in the vapor phase
then the lower calorific value is sought.

Apparatus

Calorimeter

Rotameter

Manometer

Flow control device

Procedure
Apparatus was set up and necessary properties and constants were
noted down.
After setting rotameter value for 1(for steady combustion) we open
the gas flow and ignite the burner
Calorimeter was placed properly and water circulation process was
started.
We kept the apparatus for about 30 minutes to ensure steady
conditions.
After that inlet temperature, outlet temperature and exhaust gas
temperature was noted down.
Gas pressure was read by the manometer.
Water circulated was collected to bucket for 5 minutes and
measured.
Repeat this procedure for 3 minutes.

Equations for calculation

Volume of gas = Gas flow rate

time

10-6 m3

Absolute pressure = Gauge pressure + Atmospheric pressure (101325

pa)
Converting gas volume into standard conditions

P1 V 1 P 2 V 2
=
T1
T2

Temperature difference = outlet temperature inlet temperature

m C p temperature difference=calorific value standard volume

Calorific value=

m C p temperature difference
standard volume

Calculations
Cp

Of water 4.186 J/gk

Conversion of gas volume into standard conditions

Pgauge = 7 x 10-3 x 0.826 x 1000 x 9.81 = 56.72 pa
Pabsolute = 101325 + 56.72 = 101381.72 pa
Fuel volume = 1.125 x 5 x 10-6
P1 V 1 P2 V 2
=
T1
T2
5
101381.72 1.125 5 x 106 1.023 X 10 V 2
=
31+273
300

V2 = 5.5012 x 10-6

Similarly,
Pabsolute

101381.72

101406

101446

Volume
(standard)

5.5012 x 10-6

8.3539 x 10-6

11.6895 x 10-6

Calculation of calorific value

1970 [g] x 4.186 [J/gk] x3k =
Cv = 4497 MJ/m3
Similarly

Cv

x5.5012 x 10-6[m3]

Weight of
water(g)

Temperatur
e
difference(K
)

Standard
volume(m3)

Calorific
value(MJ/m3
)

1970
1740

3
6

4497
5231.31

2140

5.5012 x 10-6
8.3539 x 10-6
11.6895 x 106

3831.6

Discussion
Practical errors
When we are calculating the calorific value, we assumed that
energy released by burning fuel is all absorbed by the water to increase
its temperature. But it is not the case here. If the difference between
the exhaust temperature and room temperature is so high, the amount
of heat loss through exhaust is not negligible. We can only assume that
exhaust gas temperature is almost equal to ambient temperature. If it is
the case since exhaust and atmosphere are in thermal equilibrium, we
can state that there is no heat loss. But this is not the case in our
practical. But we neglect exhaust heat loss. It was an error in our
practical.
Even though we did our calculations assuming fuel is burning
completely it is not true. While were doing the practical we saw black
smokes or fumes coming out of the exhaust, indicating that it is an
incomplete burning process. This is also a practical error.
As I stated in the introduction, in order to state that the value we
obtain is the higher calorific value, we need to make sure that all the
water vapor is condensed inside. But in our apparatus the condensing
part was broken and we cannot guarantee full condensation, which
results our data deviate from theoretical values.

Other methods of finding calorific value

1. For solid or liquid fuel
Calorific values of solid and liquid fuels are generally
determined using a Bomb calorimeter. It resembles the shape
of bomb and thus known as the bomb calorimeter.

Here fuel is burnt in a strong steel chamber which is

immersed in a known mass of water. The fuel sample is ignited
by an electrically heated platinum wire. Then temperature
readings should be taken for every 10 seconds.
The heat released by combustion is absorbed by
surrounding water. Thus by balancing energy we can find the
calorific value.

Another apparatus to find the calorific value of solid fuel is

the Thompson calorimeter.
2. For gaseous fuel
Calorific value of gaseous fuel is determined by junkers or
boys calorimeter.

The metered gaseous fuel is continuously supply to the

calorimeter at constant pressure where it burns in the
presence of air. Circulating water through the apparatus
absorbs the heat generated by burning fuel. Thus by energy
balance calorific value of fuel is obtained.

Energy balance for the system

Qfuel = Heat from burned fuel

Qwater = heat absorbed by circulating water
Qloss through walls = heat transferred through the walls of calorimeter by
conduction, convection and radiation

Qloss,exhaust = Heat loss to atmosphere through exhaust gas

Qfuel = Qwater + Qloss through walls + Qloss,exhaust
Energy
Heat energy
added (J)
Heat energy
absorbed by
cooling water (J)
Losses

1
37730.35

2
57295.8

3
80173.25

24739

43701

44790

12991.35

13594.8

35383.25