FIRE AND FLASH POINT

DETERMINATION OF A FUEL
GROUP: 1 - R.SURYA
TEJA
VAIBHAV
SINGH
ANSHUMAN P

AIM:
To determine the flash and fire points of a given fuel.

APPARATUS:
Fire and flash point apparatus, fuel for determining flash and fire point,
Gas (oxygen) supply, source for ignition.

THEORY:
The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which
it can vaporise to form an ignitable mixture in air. Measuring a flash point
requires an ignition source. At the flash point, the vapour may cease to
burn when the ignition source is removed.

The fire point of a fuel is the temperature at which the vapour produced
by that given fuel will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition
by an open flame. At the flash point, a lower temperature, a substance will

ignite briefly, but vapour might not be produced at a rate to sustain the
fire.

For any flammable liquid, its vapour pressure maximizes with

increase in temperature.

Flash point is the lower point at which the vapours of a liquid ignite
but stops on removal of an ignition source.

Fire Point is basically a point above the flash point on which burning
continues on removal of the ignition source.

PROCEDURE:

Take the fuel (servo gear oil. HP-90) into the cup.

When the apparatus is ready, it displays the auxiliary value (heater

temp) and present value (oil temp) with the help of a thermocouple.

When the apparatus gives a message to on the gas, open the gas
supply and light the gas opening on the ramp.

When the temperature of the oil on the heater reaches the flash
point, the oil ignites, gives a flash but ceases as soon as the source
of ignition is removed.

The U.V ray box setup at the other end gives a reading of the flash
point.

Similarly, when the oil reaches the fire point, it ignites and continues
to burn even when the source of ignition is removed.

The U.V ray box gives the reading of the fire point.

OBSERVATIONS:

SERVO gear oil. HP-90 was used fuel.

Following were the values noted.

a) Flash point = 235.5 degree Celsius
b) Fire point = 241.3 degree Celsius

PRECAUTIONS:

Make sure the apparatus is clean without any spills of the fuel on it
while adjusting the cup filled with fuel, any carelessness may result
in the spills catching fire when the ignition takes place.

Make sure the gas supply is on, and light the gas opening on the
ramp when the apparatus gives an alert message.

Once the experiment is complete, dispose the oil in a safe place far
away.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

We are grateful to our T.A - Mr. P Venkata Prakash for explaining the
concepts behind and guiding us in doing the experiment and Mr.
Chandrasekhar Sharma Sir and giving us the opportunity to do the
experiment ourselves. We are really thankful to all of you.