Flash point apparatus
8 likes4,707 views
This document describes an experiment to determine the flash points of diesel and coconut oil using a flash point apparatus. Key findings include: - The flash point of diesel was 175°F and coconut oil was 265°F, indicating coconut oil has a higher flash point. - Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a fuel produces enough vapor to ignite, and is important for determining fire hazards, evaporation losses, safe storage and transport temperatures. - Methods to minimize errors in the experiment include properly stirring, adjusting flames, limiting handle rotations, and filling the oil cup to the proper level.
Flash point apparatus
- 1. Flash Point Apparatus NAME : Dilshan K.M.G.L. COURSE : BSc. Engineering INDEX NO. : 150**** GROUP : DATE OF PER. : DATE OF SUB. :
- 2. Abstract In combustion processes, there are several theories and relations that help to improve the efficiency of the combustion process. And also, there are some definitions and other related things that are related with the combustion temperature. Here in this practical, ‘Flash Point Apparatus’ is used to get the flash point that is the most important temperature point in combustion process, especially in fuel burning process. With the help of this practical we are going to find the flash point of diesel and coconut oil. And also discuss the important of the flash point and how the flash point varies with the temperature and with the type of fuel. In detail we trying to get the idea of optimizing the flash point apparatus results to apply day to day practical applications. Introduction Combustion is a process that deals with the chemical reaction, that release heat when reacts with oxygen. First of all, we have to know what is the combustion because, flash point, the key element that we are subjected to our practical is interrelated with combustion. When we consider about combustion, we have to pay our attention, what we are trying to get by combustion. Simply we get answer that heat, or energy. In combustion process, definitely we can get the heat as outcome of the chemical reaction. But we have to know how to optimize the combustion process. In that case we have to go to the deep of the process. By searching that process, we can say that for the beginning of the combustion, there must be flame source, that cause to start the combustion, and also vaporized chemical mixture of fuel, in the case of fuel burning processes. If there is a flame, that will not cause to start the fire. Because the temperature will not cause to produce vapour of the fuel. We come to know that there is a temperature that is the fuel can produce enough vapour of fuel in order to make fire. Simply that temperature is named as flash point temperature. This temperature is varying with the fuel type and state of the fuel. In this practical we are going to get an idea of importance of the flash point and its’ uses. Theory In this practical, we use relatively simple theory to get the flash point temperature. That is after applying the fuel in to the apparatus, we increase the temperature of the fuel and get the flash point temperature as described in the procedure in heating and cooling. Then get the average as the flash point of the fuel. 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝐹. 𝑃. 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝐹. 𝑃. 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 2 Equipment • Pensky Martin Flash Pint Tester completely with Bunsen burner • Thermometer – thermos couple • Gas connection • Sample of oil to be tested
- 3. Procedure • The upper part of the apparatus, that use to hold the testing fuel, was separated • Fuel is filled until the mark on the cup • The fuel container is placed in the apparatus and locked the device. • Ignition and stirring part is fixed to the apparatus. • Gas flowing valve is opened and lit the Bunsen burner and upper part of the flash point apparatus • Then thermocouple is set to the apparatus. • Fuel is stirred while observing the temperature increment • When the temperature comes at about 140F, rotate the upper part of the apparatus and check whether there is a sound or flash with the 10F parts • If there is noticeable flash, then recorded • Then minimum temperature the flash point is recorded while cooling • Average flash temperature is calculated using the given theory Calculation and Results 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 = 180 + 170 2 = 175 𝐹 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 270 + 260 2 = 265 𝐹 Discussion Define how many degrees would you except those temperatures to differ in the case of typical lubrication oil. Flash point – Lowest temperature at which vapour of the material will ignite, when given an ignition source Fire point – temperature at which the vapour produced by the given fuel will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition by an open flame We can see that fire point temperature is higher than the flash point temperature, because fire point temperature cause to continuous burning process, and flash point is not. When we compare these two temperature points, at the fire point temperature the fuel or burning material ignite briefly. But vapour might not be produced at a rate to sustain the fire. In generally fire point temperatures is about 10℃ higher than the flash point temperature. Describe why the above two temperatures are important There are some key points, what are the points that importance of the flash and fire points • This is an indication of fire hazard of petroleum products. • Give an idea of the evaporation of the fuel and reduce the evaporation losses at high temperatures • Give an idea about maximum temperature which these fuels and oils can use without cause to fire. • This temperature values cause to get an idea about highest temperature values that fuel can stored and transport • Get an idea of the contaminants that dissolve inside the oil, because the contaminant concentration is cause to vary the flash point temperature.
- 4. • Flash point temperature can use as classification method of lubrication oil as well as fuels. o Generally, if the flash point < 140 F, the liquid is flammable liquid o If flash point > 140 F, the liquid is combustible liquid Describe the importance flash point for engine lubrication oil We know that engine lubrication oil is used to lubricate the engine parts to reduce frictional forces and reduce wear of them. So that there is temperature increment of the lubrication oil as well as the parts. The main importance of the flash point is that it gives the idea of the ignition temperature. When lubrication oil has high flash point, that means lubrication oil can withstand high temperatures without ignition. That is indicated as fire resistance. As mentioned above, that will help to determine the transportation and storing temperature of a lubricant. Also, we come to know that volatility of the oil also small compared to the higher flash point lubrication oil. By comparing the same sample of lubricants’ flash point, we can get an idea of the contaminates that dissolve in that oil. Because the flash point of the oil is completely based on the dissolves chemicals inside it. With the help of the contaminants dissolving, can change the flashpoint as the application changes, so that same lubricant can use for various practical scenarios without changing chemical composition, but changing dissolving particles. Comment on the suitability of coconut oil an engine lubricant When we consider about the flash point of the coconut oil, it has high temperature. So that for some special applications, that not undergoes with higher temperatures, can use coconut oils. As an example, for small machines, that use human power to translate or rotate parts, that not undergoes high torsions, vibrations, forces, can use coconut oils. But there are some limitations. There is a restriction of using the coconut oil is high power transmitting application, because that generates higher temperatures. That cause for the self-ignition. In typical lubrications oil can be purchased in low-price than the coconut oil, and for economical point of view, coconut oil will not provide much benefits. In some of the applications there are some contaminants that can solidify on the machine components, when we use coconut oil. So that the parts have to be replaces in short period of time. Sometimes the performance of the coconut oil has low performance rather than conventional lubrication oils, because these oils have been produced after more testing. But with some experiments and improvements, that means adding some contaminates to the coconut oil will cause to increase the efficiency of it. Researchers have found that Coconut oil can be used is two strokes and four strokes vehicles. The applications are engine lubricant, transmission oil, gear oil and break oil. The most important characteristics that use to give such results are high flash point, high viscosity index, less evaporative loss, oxidative and thermal stability. But there are some disadvantages also. Coconut oil has high pour point, poor friction and wear characteristics in high temperature. Because of that most industrial cases researcher are trying to develop to use in low thermal applications. (G., 2003) Suggest the method to minimize the errors of the experiment
- 5. • To get accurate temperature readings, stirring must be done correctly throughout the process. • Flames have to be adjusted in complete burning area • To get the flash point observation, don not rotate the handle frequently. Must wait some times to produce enough vapour. • Rotate handle one or two times only per time at the temperature points. • Do not open the flash point checking orifice for longer time. That will cause to remove the vapour of the fuel. • To get the exact point temperature, can blow out the flame before reaching the observation temperature and get the readings when temperature at the correct position. Otherwise temperature increment cannot be controlled. • Oils have to fill up to the mark that show on the cup. Less oil will cause to make high vapour region and get low temperatures to produce vapour. High volume of oil will cause to for high temperatures. Conclusion • Flash point is varying with the type of fuel • Diesel has lower flash point than the Coconut oil References Analytical Instrumentation. (2014, June). Retrieved from PETRO industry news: https://www.petro- online.com/news/analytical-instrumentation/11/breaking-news/what-is-the-difference-between- flash-point-and-ignition-temperature/30656 Autoignition temperature and flash point of different hydrocarbons. (n.d.). Retrieved from The engineering text book: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/flash-point-autoignition-temperature- kindling-hydrocarbons-alkane-alkene-d_1941.html G., K. (2003, dec 09). Coconur oil as lubricant. Retrieved from The hundu: www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/12/09/stories/2003120900660200.htm Michael J. Moran, H. N. (2006). Fundamentals of Engineering thermodynamics. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.