Liquid fuels have an important place among the substances used in energy production. Liquid fuels are frequently preferred because they offer high energy efficiency per unit gram, the chemical energy they contain quickly turns into heat energy, and their portability and ease of storage. Examples of liquid fuels used extensively in production stages include diesel oil, kerosene and gasoline.
Determining the energy values of liquid fuels is one of the most important parameters for cost analysis of businesses and determination of damage to the environment.
Energy value analyzes of liquid fuels should be carried out with a bomb calorimeter device in accordance with international standards (For example, ASTM D 240: 'Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter').
Liquid fuel analyzes include similar processes to calorific value analyzes of other fuels (e.g. solid fuel; coal, biofuel, etc.). Similar processes in calorific value analysis of fuels;
The sample is weighed as close to 1 gram as possible in a metal/quartz crucible, then the sample is placed in the decomposition vessel (calorimeter bomb).
The ignition wire or ignitiopn rope is used as a fuse and is connected to the ignition legs in contact with the sample.
The combustion process is carried out in an oxygenated environment. For this process, pure oxygen is filled into the decomposition vessel at a temperature of 30-40 bar.
The decomposition vessel (calorimeter bomb) is placed inside the calorimeter device and the analysis is started.
After the analysis is completed, the gas in the vessel (calorimeter bomb) is slowly discharged with exhaust.
After each analysis, the decomposition vessel, ignition legs and crucible are cleaned with pure water.
The net and gross calorific values of liquid fuels are calculated by determining the effect of different parameters. According to ASTM D 240 standard, the amount of sulfur in liquid fuel is divided into net and gross calorific value; The amount of hydrogen affects the lower calorific value. Net/gross calorific value calculation for liquid fuels is applied similarly to other alternative fuels (coal, biomass, RDF, etc.). For accurate and precise analysis results, the relevant parameters must be entered into the calorimeter system during or after the analysis.
In liquid fuel analyses, fuel volatility should be taken into consideration and analysis preparation procedures should be carried out in accordance with the sample. Analysis of liquid fuels with high volatile content; It should be carried out in a gelatin capsule of known energy value or after covering the crucible in which the sample is placed with a tape of known energy value.
Another point to consider is that complete combustion of the sample can be ensured. In liquid fuels that are difficult to burn or cannot fully burn, the use of catalysts is recommended to perform the combustion process. For these liquid fuel samples, mineral oil (combustion aid, catalyst) with known energy value and amount should be added to the sample. With the applied approach, controlled and efficient combustion of the sample is ensured. Thus, the energy value of liquid fuels can be determined accurately and precisely.
Liquid fuels are generally obtained by mixing various components in different proportions. For this reason, it may contain solid particles that may affect the homogeneity and therefore the energy value analysis. Since the homogeneity of liquid fuels is one of the important parameters affecting the energy value analysis, it is necessary to ensure that there are no dirty solid particles in the fuels while making them suitable for analysis. This procedure is necessary for accurate calculation of the liquid fuel energy value with the bomb calorimeter.
Debye Technic R&D Engineering Ltd. Ltd. IC 210 Bomb Calorimeter, which we produce, is suitable for liquid fuel analysis. Calorimeter IC210 offers repeatable results in your liquid fuel analysis with its specially designed analysis chamber (bomb) for liquid fuels and its sensitive temperature reading capability. Especially thanks to the Recalculation mode offered with the Calorimeter IC 210 system, the effect of the parameters affecting the upper and lower calorific values on the energy value can be calculated in accordance with the relevant standard.
You can contact our support team to get detailed information about Calorimeter IC210 and the samples you want to analyze. You can get information about alternative fuel analysis by reviewing our other blog posts.