Scribd
Upload
12 views4 pages

Exp.1 - Determination of Flash Point and Fire Point

The document outlines a laboratory experiment for determining the flash point and fire point of a sample using the Cleveland Open Cup apparatus. It explains the definitions of flash point and fire point, the apparatus required, the procedure to conduct the experiment, and necessary precautions. Additionally, it includes instructions for calculating and recording results based on barometric pressure corrections.

Uploaded by

smarmad40
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views4 pages

Exp.1 - Determination of Flash Point and Fire Point

The document outlines a laboratory experiment for determining the flash point and fire point of a sample using the Cleveland Open Cup apparatus. It explains the definitions of flash point and fire point, the apparatus required, the procedure to conduct the experiment, and necessary precautions. Additionally, it includes instructions for calculating and recording results based on barometric pressure corrections.

Uploaded by

smarmad40
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

WORLD UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Course Code: ME 07152212


Course Title: Engineering Thermodynamics Lab
Course Teacher: Masud RANA
Experiment No: 01
To determination of flash point and fire point by Cleveland Open Cup apparatus of a given
sample.

Objective:
The flash point is used measure the tendency of the materials to catch flames, class the materials
according to a safety requirement and to obtain an idea about presence of volatile and flammable
substances, while the fire point is used to measure combustibility of the material.

FLASH POINT
Flash point is the lowest temperature corrected to a barometric pressure of 101.3 kPa (760 mm
Hg), at which application of a test flame causes the vapor of a specimen to ignite under specified
conditions of test. The material is deemed to have flashed when a large flame appears and
instantaneously propagates itself over the surface of the specimen.

FIRE POINT
It is the lowest temperature at which a specimen will sustain burning for 5 seconds. A flammable
material is the one, which form flames, but does not sustain fire while a combustible material is
the one, which sustains fire/burning.

APPARATUS:

The main apparatus used in this experiment is (The Cleveland Open Cup) and its consists of the
following:

1. Test cup (Cleveland Open Cup).


2. Heating Plate.
3. Test flame.
4. Thermometer capable of measuring high temperatures up to 500 0 C.
WORLD UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH
Department of Mechanical Engineering

PROCEDURE:
 Fill the cup; at any convenient temperature not exceeding 100 °C or above the softening point;
so that the top of the meniscus is at the filling line.
 Remove the excess sample using a pipette or other suitable device; however, if there is sample
on the outside of the apparatus, empty, clean, and refill it. Destroy any air bubbles on the
surface of the sample.
 Lit the test flame and adjust it to a diameter of 3.8 to 5.4 mm.
 Apply heat initially so that the rate of temperature rise of the sample is 14 to 17 °C per minute.
When the sample temperature is approximately 56 °C below the anticipated flash point,
decrease the heat so that the rate of temperature rise for 28°C before the flash point is 5 to 6°C
per minute.
 Starting at least 28 °C below the flash point, apply the test flame when the temperature read
on the thermometer reaches each successive 2 °C mark. Pass the test flame across the center
of the cup, at right angles to the diameter, which passes through the thermometer. With a
smooth, continuous motion apply the flame either in a straight line or along the circumference
of a circle having a radius of at least 150 mm. The center of the test flame must move in a plane
not more than 2.5 mm above the plane of the upper edge of the cup passing in one direction
first, then in the opposite direction the next lime. The time consumed in passing the test flame
across the cup shall be about one second (1 s.). During the last 17 °C rise in temperature prior
WORLD UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH
Department of Mechanical Engineering
to the flash point, care must be taken to avoid disturbing the vapors in the test cup by careless
movements or bathing near the cup.
 Record as the observed flash point the temperature read on the thermometer when a flash
appears at any point on the surface of the material, but does not confuse the true flash with the
bluish halo that sometimes surrounds the test flame.
 To determine the fire point, continue heating so that the sample temperature increases at a rate
of 5 to 6 °C. Continue the application of the test flame at 2°C intervals until the oil ignites and
continues to burn for at least 5 second. Record the temperature at the point as the fire point of
the oil.

PRECAUTIONS

 Do not breathe close to the apparatus as the fumes are injurious to health.

 Turn the fans off so that the fumes can be accumulated over the cup.

 Tip of the thermometer should not touch the bottom or sides of the cup.

 The operator must exercise and take appropriate safety precautions during the initial

application of the test flame, since samples containing low flash material may give an

abnormally strong flash when the test flame is first applied.

Calculation and Result:

Data Table

SL Time (minutes) Temperature (°C) SL Time (minutes) Temperature (°C)


WORLD UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Calculation

Observe and record the barometric pressure at the time of the test. When the pressure differs from
760 mm Hg, correct the flash or fire point, or both, by means of the following equations:
Corrected flash or fire point, or both = C + 0.03 (760 — P)
Where:
C = observed flash or fire point, or both, to the nearest 2 °C, and
P = Barometric pressure, mm Hg.
Record the corrected flash or fire joint value, or both, to the nearest 5 °C or 2°C.

Result

Discussion:

You might also like