INTRODUCTION TO BOMB CALORIMETRY

Yosfi Rahmi SGz. MSc. Analisa Zat Gizi Jurusan Gizi FKUB Malang 2011

Definition
Bomb calorimetry: a procedure which determines the heat of combustion or calorific value of materials which are burned as fuels a sealed container capable of holding several atmospheres of gas pressure.

Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Definition
Calorimetry: the science of measuring the amount of heat. calor (Latin) heat metry (Greek) to measure
Heat, may be : generated (exothermic process), consumed (endothermic process) or simply dissipated by a sample.
Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Calorimetry
Two types of calorimetry: measurements based on constant pressure measurement based on constant volume.
Need to know Heat Capacity first

Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Heat Capacity
Heat capacity: the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the entire calorimeter by 1 K it is usually determined experimentally before or after the actual measurements of heat of reaction. it is determined by transferring a known amount of heat into it and measuring its temperature increase. Because the temperature differences are very small, extreme sensitive thermometers are required for these measurements.
Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Heat Capacity
Example: The temperature of a calorimeter increases 0.10 K when 7.52 J of electric energy is used to heat it. What is the heat capacity of the calorimeter? Solution: Dividing the amount of energy by the temperature increase yields the heat capacity, C, C = 7.52 / 0.10 = 75.2 J/K.

Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Calorimetry

Constant pressure calorimeter

Constant volume (bomb Calorimeter)

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Constant-pressure calorimeter
Example: a coffee-cup calorimeter
The inner cup holds the solution in which of the reaction occurs, and the outer cup provides insulation.

Cp = W H/M T

where
Cp = Specific heat at constant pressure H = Enthalpy of solution T = Change in temperature W = mass of solute M = molecular mass of solute
Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Constant-volume calorimeter
Constant-volume calorimeter = Bomb Calorimeter Older design:
Bomb calorimeters have to withstand the large pressure within the calorimeter Electrical energy is used to ignite the fuel; as the fuel is burning, it will heat up the surrounding air, which expands and escapes through a tube that leads the air out of the calorimeter. When the air is escaping through the copper tube it will also heat up the water outside the tube. The temperature of the water allows for calculating calorie content of the fuel.
Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Constant-volume calorimeter
Recent calorimeter designs
the whole bomb, pressurized with excess pure oxygen (typically at 30atm) containing a known mass of sample (typically 1-1.5 g) a small fixed amount of water (to absorb produced acid gases), is submerged under a known volume of water (ca. 2000 ml) before the charge is (again electrically) ignited. The bomb, with sample and oxygen, form a closed system - no air escapes during the reaction. The energy released by the combustion raises the temperature of the steel bomb, its contents, and the surrounding water jacket. The temperature change in the water is then accurately measured. This temperature rise, along with a bomb factor (which is dependent on the heat capacity of the metal bomb parts) is used to calculate the energy given out by the sample burn.
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Bomb Calorimeter
Basic Components:
a small cup to contain the sample, oxygen, a stainless steel bomb, water, a stirrer, a thermometer, the dewar (to prevent heat flow from the calorimeter to the surroundings) and ignition circuit connected to the bomb
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Heat Calculations
the amount of heat a substance produces or absorbs q = c m T Where:
q: heat in J, c: specific heat capacity in J/(gC), m: mass in g, T: temperature change in C

Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011

Heat Calculations
Sample problem: When 12 g of a food was burned in a calorimeter, the 100 mL of water in the calorimeter changed from 20C to 33C. Calculate the heat released (must know water = 4.18 J/gC) Solution: q= cmT = 4.18 J/(gC) x 12 g x 13C = 0.65208 kJ
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Uses of Bomb Calorimeter

Measurements for: 1) Coal and coke, all varieties and types 2) Fuel oil, both heavy and light varieties 3) Gasoline, all motor fuels and aviation type jet fuels 4) Combustible wastes and refuse disposal 5) Foodstuffs and supplements for human nutrition 6) Forage crops and supplements for animal nutrition 7) Building materials 8) Explosives and heat powders 9) Rocket fuels and related propellants 10) Thermodynamic studies of combustible materials 11) Energy balance studies in ecology
Yosfi Analisa Zat Gizi - 2011