1.

0 ABSTRACT / SUMMARY
The objective of this experiment is to determine the calorific values of natural gas and
gas volume factor. In this experiment, to find the calorific values and gas volume
factor, the value of water inlet temperature, the amount of water collected, barometric
pressure, gas temperature, and gas volume factor must be find from experiment. All
apparatus is set up based on start-up procedure. The calorimeter water outlet spout is
moved, at the same time stop watch is started. The reading of gas inlet temperature is
taken when meter point is approaching the top on the dial on the gas meter. Then
water inlet and outlet temperature are recorded at every each of revolution of the gas
meter is complete. After that, the calorimeter water outlet spout is moved to the
changeover funnel that is directed the drain/sink. The all values that needed to find the
CV and gas volume factor are recorded. After the calculation, the calorific value was
22.798 MJ / m3 and gas volume factor was 1.089. The experiment is achieved because
the objectives of experiment are determined.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
A calorimeter is the apparatus used to measure the heat produced from chemical
reactions. It works by checking the heat of a chemical reaction against a change in
water temperature. It has a combustion chamber surrounded by water. Whenever
matter is placed into the chamber and changed physically or chemically, the
surrounding water changes temperature. The temperature change is then measured to
determine the energy content of the sample. Boys Calorimeter is a simple but
accurate equipment used to determine the calorific value of large range of gaseous
fuels.
During the process, gas is fed to the burners and burnt in air. The gas liberated
from the process is measured with a thermometer for its temperature. the exhaust gas
may formed condensate. The head overflow is used to deliver coolant water through
the coils of the calorimeter. The water outlet from the calorimeter is fed into a
changeover funnel. This funnel is used to divert the outlet water from waste into a
measuring vessel. The temperature of both the inlet and outlet water is monitored by
mercury in glass thermometers. The coils of the calorimeter are always immersed in
an alkaline solution when it is not in used during short period of time. the purpose of
this action is to neutralise any acidic products deposited on the coils by the
combustion of the gas.

3.0 AIMS / OBJECTIVES

To determine the calorific values of natural gas and gas volume factor.

4.0 THEORY

A calorie technically is the amount of energy it takes to heat water by 1 degree.

Calorific value of natural gas is the amount of energy released when the natural gas
undergoes a complete combustion process under specified conditions. It is measured
in

units

of energy per

unit

of

the

substance,

usually mass,

such

as:

kJ/kg, kJ/mol, kcal/kg, Btu/lb.

The formula used to calculate the calorific value is;
Caloric value = A x B x C x D, where
A = The average difference in water temperature in degrees celcius, oC
B = The amount of water collected in millilitre,ml
C = 4.187 factor when converting Calories to Joules or (x3 x4 factor to bring
gas used to 1 cubic feet)
D = The Gas Volume Factor
Gas volume factor is the gas volume at reservoir conditions divided by gas
volume at standard conditions. It is a very strong function of pressure, and a weak
function of temperature and gas composition.
The formula used to calculate the gas volume factor is;
Gas Volume Factor(GVF) = [(1+0.00367t) x 755.43]/-a, where
t = Ambient temperature in degrees celcius, oC
= Ambient barometric pressure in mmHg
a = Vapour pressure in mmHg at temperature t

5.0 APPARATUS
Apparatus and Materials
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Gas calorimeter
Gas cylinder (small)
Digital weighing balance
Rotameter
Control valves
Pipe connections
Temperature indicator with Thermocouples (RTD)

6.0 PROCEDURES
a. The current reading of the local barometric pressure was recorded.
b. The apparatus was set up correctly according to the start-up procedure.
c. The calorimeter was positioned over the section the changeover funnel that drains
in to the sink.
d. The collecting beaker was completely emptied and drained.
e. The gas inlet temperature on thermometer was recorded when the meter pointer
was approaching the top of the dial on the gas meter.
f. The calorimeter water outlet spout was moved when the meter pointer reached the
top of dial to the section of the changeover gunnel that was directed to the
collecting beaker.
g. The stop watch was started at the same time
h. The water inlet and outlet temperature on the calorimeter was recorded at the end
of each complete revolution of the gas meter.
i. The calorimeter water outlet spout was moved to the changeover funnel that was
directed to the drain/sink. On completion of the requisite number of revolutions.
j. The amount of water collected, barometric pressure, gas temperature, gas volume
factor was recorded.
4

7.0 RESULT

Water Inlet Temperature C

Water Inlet Temperature C

16.5

36.4

16.5

36.5

16.5

36.6

16.5

36.5

Water Collected

2200 ml

Barometric Pressure

754mmHg

Gas Temperature C

17.8

8.0 CALCULATIONS

Average Water Inlet Temperature = 66 / 4 = 16.5C

Average Water Outlet Temperature = (36.4 + 36.5 +36.6 + 36.5) / 4 = 36.5 C
Average Difference in Temperature = 36.5 16.5 = 20 C

Gas Volume Factor (GVF):

At Barometric Pressure 754mmHg and Gas Temperature 17.8 C (Extrapolating from
table)
= 1.085 + (8/10)(1.090 1.085) = 1.089

Therefore,
Calorific Value (CV) = (2.0 kg x 4.187 kg/kg.C x 20 C x 1.089) / (8 x 10-3 m3 )
= 22,798KJ / m3
= 22.798 MJ / m3

9.0 DISCUSSION
At the end of experiment, the amount value of water collected, barometric pressure,
gas temperature, gas volume factor was recorded. Once all the values had determined,
then the calorific values of natural gas and gas volume factor can be determined too.
From the calculation, the calorific value was 22.798 MJ / m3 and gas volume factor
was 1.089.
The calorific value of natural gas supposed to be between 37 and 43.3 MJ / m3. The
gap different between CV from experiment and the theoretical shown that CV from
experiment was lower than supposed to be. By the way, the value still reached the
value range of CV given. Logically, the CV should be lower than theoretical value
because in this experiment, not all energy will release after combustion. There were
three reasons why this can be happened. First, the experiment was not under specific
condition or specifically was not under normal (standard) condition. The room
temperature might be not followed standard condition that what exactly be expected.
It also happened for pressure in the room. If the pressure was higher than normal even
little bit, still affected the result. And this probably followed by less oxygen gas
around the experiment area for second reason. And the third reason was probably a
presence of water vapour in combustion. Water vapour in combustion can give
incomplete combustion product that also decreases calorific value of natural gas. Of
course it must be true because the experiment exactly conducted in air-condition
refrigerant to cool and low the room temperature. The combination of these factors
surely affected CV. However, it was not only because the condition factors that being
discussed. It also human mistakes during experiment could give the errors probably.
The error was probably during reading the thermometer or there could have been a
more serious flaw in that there may have been an equipment malfunction.

10.0

CONCLUSIONS

The experiment is achieved due the calorific value and Gas Volume Factor is
determined. The CV is lower than theoretical value but it is logic by some reasons
after discussed.

11.0

RECOMMENDATIONS

a. Make sure that all equipment is in good condition before the experiment is conducted.
b. Make sure take the reading carefully to obtain good result.
c. Check the surrounding condition and ensure that it is not quite different with standard
condition.

12.0

REFERENCES

Book references
1. Jain P C, and Monica Jain, Engineering Chemistry,DhanpatRai Publishing
Company, New Delhi, 2012.
2. Hydrocarbons for fuel--75 years of materials research at NBS By George
Thomson Armstrong

Journal references
8

1. A Gas Calorimeter. Boys, C. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series

A, Containing Papers of a Mathematical and Physical Character (1905-1934).
1906-02-08. 77 (515):122130

Internet references
1. http://www.npl.co.uk/science-technology/chemical-metrology/research/naturalgas-reference-calorimetry
2. file:///H:/4.%20college%20materials/EH223%20oil%20and%20gas
%20engineering/part%204/CGE617%20-%20reservoir%20and%20gas
%20laboratory/3.%20boy's%20calorimeter/The%20Boys%20Gas
%20Calorimeter.htm
file:///H:/4.%20college%20materials/EH223%20oil%20and%20gas
%20engineering/part%204/CGE617%20-%20reservoir%20and%20gas
%20laboratory/3.%20boy's%20calorimeter/BOYS%20GAS%20CALORIMETER
%20for%20Propulsion%20Laboraory%20Manual%20DSCE%2006AEL68.htm

13.0

APPENDICES

10

11