THERMAL FLUID ENGINEERING LAB

LAB REPORT

EXPERIMENT: Introduction to Marcet Boiler

1.0 Introduction The unit consists of a stainless steel pressure vessel fitted with high pressure immersion electrical heater. The unit also comes together with a safety relief valve, temperature and pressure measuring device. Water feed port is installed to allow water charging. The unit comes with temperature and pressure transducers so that students will be able to read the respective values on the digital indicators easily. The water heater is protected from burnout by setting the maximum operating temperature with a temperature controller. 2.0 Theory

Marcet Boiler (Model: HE169) has been developed for investigating the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated steam, in equilibrium with water, at all pressures between atmospheric and 10 bar (abs) (150 lb/in). Thermodynamics is a branch of physics, which deals with the energy, and work of a system. Thermodynamics deals only with the large-scale response of a system that we can observe and measure in experiments. Small-scale gas interactions are described by the kinetic theory of gases, which is a compliment to thermodynamics. An ideal gas can be characterized by three state variables: absolute pressure (P), volume (V), and absolute temperature (T). The relationship between them may be deduced from kinetic theory and is called the Ideal Gas Law. The ideal gas law was originally determined empirically and simply.

Where, P = Absolute pressure V = Volume n = Amount of substance (moles) R = Ideal gas constant T = Absolute temperature (K) If a gas behaves exactly as the ideal gas laws would predict it to behave in terms of volumes, pressure, moles, and temperature, then the gas is said to be an ideal gas. On the other hand, the gas deviates from Ideal Gas behavior, then the gas is said to be acting like a real gas. When energy increases within water, the increasing of activities among the molecules enables the increase in the number of molecules escape from the surface until an equilibrium state is reached. The state of equilibrium depends on the pressure between the water surface and steam. At lower pressure, the molecules become easier leaving the water surface while less energy required in achieving the state of equilibrium (boiling point). The temperature where equilibrium occurs at a given pressure level is called saturated temperature. The measured value of the slope of the graph obtained from the practical results can be compared with corresponding values calculated from the data in steam tables. Clausius-Clapeyron states:

And Hence,

As

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In which, = specific volume of saturated liquid = specific volume of saturated vapor = enthalpy of saturated liquid = enthalpy of saturated vapor = latent heat of vaporization 3.0 Objective To demonstrate the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium. To demonstrate of the vapour curve. 4.0 Procedure 1. A quick inspection is performed in order to ensure that the unit is in proper operating condition. 2. The unit is connected to the nearest power supply. 3. The valves at the feed port and the level sight tube (V1, V2, & V3) are opened. 4. The boiler is filled with distilled water through the feed port and the water level is ensured at about the half of the boilers height. Then, the valves, V1 & V2 at the level sight tube are closed. 5. The power supply switch is turned on. 6. The temperature controller is set to 185.0 C which is slightly above the expected boiling point of the water at 10.0 bar (abs). 7. The vent valve, V3 is opened and the heater is turned on. 8. The steam temperature rise is observed as the water boils. 9. Steam is allowed to come out from the valve, V3 for about 30 seconds, and then the valve is closed. 10. The steam temperature and pressure is recorded when the boiler is heated until the steam pressure reaches 10.0 bar (abs).

11. The heater is turned off. The steam temperature drop is recorded until the steam pressure reaches atmospheric pressure. 12. The boiler is allowed to cool down to room temperature. 13. The steam temperatures are recorded at different pressure readings when the boiler is heated and cooled. 5.0 Data & calculation At absolute pressure 1.2, Measured slope, dT/dP =

= 0.2270 Specific volume, = (0.8856 1.694)(1.2 1.0) + 1.694 (extrapolate) = 1.5323 Latent heat of vapourisation, = (2202 - 2258)(1.2 1.0) + 2258 (extrapolate) = 2246.8 Calculated slope, T / = = 0.2570