Koya University

Faculty of Engineering

Chemical Engineering Dep.

Petroleum∧Gas Proprites

By:

Aree Salah

Exp. NO : Six

Name of Exp.: Fire Point

Date of Exp.: 28.1.2014

Date of submission: 4.2.2014

Table of Content:

Aim of the experiment ………………………………………………………………. 3

Theory ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Importance of Flash Point ………………………………………………………….. 5

Methods ……………………………………………………………………………………. 6

Tools and apparatus ….................................................................... 7

Description of apparatus ………………………………………………………….... 7

Procedure ………………………………………………………………………………….. 8

Discussion …………………………………………………………………………………. 9

References ………………………………………………………………………………. 11

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The Aim of this experiment:

To determine fire point of an oil product using closed cup method (Penesky Marten’s apparatus).

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Theory:

Fire point can vary for a sample based on factors including pressure, the quantity of the chemical, and the location of the ignition source in relation to the sample. The flash point for a particular sample is, therefore, somewhat unreliable and should be used as a general guideline, rather than an absolute value.

There are two basic ways in which the fire point for a particular chemical can be determined: open cup or closed cup experiments.

Both types of experiments are based on the fact that a liquid that is combustible, such as gasoline and diesel, release vapors that are potentially ignitable.

As the temperature of the liquid increases, the amount of these vapors also increases. This means that at a certain temperature, the vapor concentration is high enough that it becomes ignitable.

Samples with a fairly low flash point are referred to as flammable, while chemicals with higher flash points are usually referred to as combustible.

An open cup experiment involves a quantity of a particular sample placed in a container that is open.

The sample is slowly heated and an ignition source, such as a small flame (spark), is introduced above the sample at various intervals.

This process continues until a temperature is reached at which the vapors from the sample ignite, which establishes the flash point for that sample.

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Once ignition occurs, the ignition source is removed and the vapors should then stop burning; if they continue to burn without the source, however, then the fire point for a sample has been reached.

In a closed cup experiment, the process is similar but the container for the sample is lidded and the ignition source is introduced through the lid.

A closed cup experiment allows for the fire point of a particular sample to be determined when that sample is under increased pressure due to a closed system.

Importance of flash and fire points:

• It indicates fire hazard of petroleum products and evaporation loses under high temperature.

• It gives us the idea about the maximum temperature below which the oil can be used (this is very important for storage and transportation)

• Detection of contamination in the given oil product

• It classifies the petroleum (light or heavy)

Methods:

There are three standard methods (one open and two closed) to determine the flash point according volatile temperature of sample:

1. Closed Abel Test

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Closed cup flash point test for products and liquid petroleum mixtures which have flash point is between -30°C and +70°C.

2. Open Cleveland Test

Opened cup flash test point for products (heavy petroleum) which have flash point is between ambient and 400°C.

3. Closed Penesky-Martens Test

Closed cup flash point test to determine the flash point for products with flash point above 40 0C to 3600C.

Tools and apparatus:

1. Closed Penesky-Martens (as described below)

2. Kerosene sample

3. Goggles

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4. Lab coats

5. Heating source

6. Timer

7. Description of apparatus :

1. Cup of sample

2. Cover

3. Shutter (to lock the fire from the sample)

4. Stirring device

5. Heating source

6. Ignition source

7. Air bath

8. Thermometer

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The procedure:

1. Clean and dry all parts of the apparatus with the help of suitable solvent e.g.) ether, or benzene and dry it to remove any traces of solvent.

2.Fill the oil cup with kerosene up to the mark.

3.Fix the lids on the top through which are inserted a thermometer and a stirrer. Ensure that the flame exposure device is fixed on the top.

4.Light the flame and adjust it to about 4 mm in diameter and start stirring the sample.

5.Heat apparatus in a rate of 5 0C/min until 30 0C is reached as stirrer is continuously rotated. (the rate of increasing temp. can be reached by adjusting the flame source).

6.Now, At every 2 0C rise of temp. Introduce test flame into the oil vapor. (Stop stirring during this step)

7. When test flame causes a distinct flash in the interior of the test cup, note temp. which represent the flash point.

8.Further heat the sample at lower rate (1 or 2 oC) and continue applying the test flame as before.

9. The temperature at which the vapors of the oil give a clear and distinct blue flash for five seconds is recorded as the fire point of the oil.

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Discussion:

1. What is the flash point and fire point you observed?- In our experiment we got to results (45 C) & (43 C) of

flash point and (55 C) & (50 C) of fire point .

2. Find flash point and fire point of any type of kerosene from any references?

3. Compare the result in number 1 and 2.- The results were different as expected because of the

accuracy measurement device which wasn’t quite accurate, and the flash point apparatus was old and harmed.

4. Do you think there was an error in the result of this experiment? Explain your answer.- There was errors during the experiment the most

noticeable errors werea. Gas leakage from the gas bottle.b. The apparatus were extremely harmed and it wasn’t

accurate.c. The crude wasn’t mixed properly.

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5. If this experiment is performed not in ambient pressure, do we get different results?- Of course it will be different because the pressure affects

forming of the vapor above the crude, in lower pressure vapor forms more quickly and the opposite is true.

6. Can you increase flash point in diesel oil?- Yes, by increasing its vapour pressure, this can be done by

mixing the diesel oil with a low density high vapour pressure oil.

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References:

1. The official website of Debate Central “debate.uvm.edu”

2. The official website of art academy “www.tfa.edu”

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