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7.4.2: Instrumentation and Safety

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    Instrumentation

    The undergraduate teaching labs at Duke have two Parr 1341 Plain Jacket Oxygen Bomb Calorimeters (see Figure). This instrument consists of:

    1. A "bomb" in which the combustion charge is burned.
    2. An inner bucket holding a measured quantity of water in which the bomb is placed.
    3. A calorimeter jacket in which the inner bucket is placed.
    4. A calorimeter cover which holds a stirring device and precision thermistor which are, in turn, immersed in the inner bucket when the cover is placed on the calorimeter jacket.
    5. A Parr 6772 Calorimetric Thermometer with a built-in ignition unit and a thermistor probe to measure the temperature rise of the water in the inner bucket during the combustion process.
    Untitled-1
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Copy and Paste Caption here. (Copyright; author via source)

    Good repeatability can be obtained with the 1341 Calorimeter provided that the temperature rise and heat leak corrections are measured and applied carefully. The repeatability is 0.2% when using the Parr 6772 Calorimetric Thermometer.

    Safety

    Caution

    The bomb should be assembled, filled with oxygen, and operated WITH EXTREME CARE following instructions from your TA.

    This calorimeter and its use are described in detail in Parr Operating Instructions,1 Matthews,2 and Sime.3 To ensure safe operation and optimum precision, this experiment should be attempted only after you have become thoroughly familiar with the contents of the references cited above. There is a danger in the operation of the bomb calorimeter both from explosion and electric shock. Operation is safe provided that the following precautions are taken:

    1. There is a possibility of electric shock and of short circuit from exposed terminals and metal parts of the calorimeter, and therefore the working area must be kept completely dry.
    2. The bomb must be kept clean and when dismantled should be placed on a clean folded towel or stand if provided. Be careful not to scratch, dent, or drop the bomb. It is particularly important to avoid marring the surfaces at which closure is affected and to keep these areas scrupulously clean.
    3. Switch off all electricity supplies before assembling or dismantling the bomb.
    4. The amount of sample should not exceed 1.0 g.
    5. The pressure of oxygen must not exceed 25 atm.
    6. Do not fire the submerged bomb if bubbles of gas show that it is leaking.
    7. Wear a face shield while pressurizing the bomb.
    8. Stand well clear of the bomb as it is fired and for at least 30 s afterwards.

    References:

    1. Parr Operating Instructions, "Instructions for the Parr 1341 Calorimeter," Parr Instrument Co., Moline, IL. (found in the lab or online at www.parrinst.com)
    2. Matthews, G. P. Experimental Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1985, Section 3.1.
    3. Sime, R.J. Physical Chemistry. Methods, Techniques and Experiments, Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1990, pp. 420-431.


    This page titled 7.4.2: Instrumentation and Safety is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kathryn Haas.

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