Bomb Calorimeter Working Principle

Bomb Calorimeter Working Principle:

A bomb calorimeter is a laboratory device used in laboratories, designed as a completely closed system. It consists of a steel pressure vessel (calorimeter bomb) and the surrounding water circulation. High pressure and temperature resistant calorimeter bomb (Analysis Chamber) is isolated from the ambient temperature and insulated in such a way as to prevent energy exchange. This design ensures that the energy is kept within the system and allows it to be obtained with high accuracy in measurements (1).

The high-precision laboratory device works by igniting a sample placed inside a calorimeter bomb with the help of an igniter in an atmosphere of pure oxygen. The combustion process of the sample is carried out by providing a chemical reaction in the calorimeter bomb placed in the Analysis Compartment. The heat energy released during combustion is transferred to the pure water contained in the Analysis Compartment through the metal walls of the Analysis Chamber. This energy transfer triggers a temperature increase in the calorimeter analysis compartment. The device's high-precision thermal sensors record the temperature change. The recorded temperature change is used to calculate the total amount of energy (calorific value) released by the sample during combustion using parameters such as the mass of water, its specific temperature and calibration factors of the system.

Bomb calorimeter is widely preferred for determining the enthalpy of combustion of a sample and the enthalpy of formation of a compound (2). By using combustion data, the energy contents and bond energies of organic and organometallic compounds can be evaluated. It is also used in thermodynamic analyses to calculate the equilibrium constants of chemical reactions and to study the enthalpies of reactions. For example, the energy contents of compounds used in reactions such as hydrogenation can be accurately determined (3).

Bomb Calorimeter laboratory device: it is a very effective method for determining the energy content of fuels, foods and other materials. It is often preferred especially for measuring the calorific values of fuels and obtaining reliable results in energy analyses.

The bomb calorimeter is designed to both safely carry out the combustion process and to provide high accuracy in energy measurement. Thanks to its resistance to high temperature and pressure conditions, reliability and accurate measurement capability, it is an indispensable laboratory device in energy content analysis in many industries and research fields. In particular, it plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of the energy content of fuels and chemicals.

As Debye Technic, the Bomb Calorimeter IC 210 allows our customers from different sectors to make appropriate analyses with its precision measurement capability and user-friendly design. In addition, the Automatic Calorimeter IC 340 we have developed provides faster, more reliable and efficient analysis by minimizing human intervention. Our modern devices offer the opportunity to make measurements with high precision while increasing the energy efficiency of laboratories. To get detailed information about bomb calorimeters, visit our product page.

References:

1. Bird, J. O., & Chivers, P. J. (1993). Energy of chemical reactions. Newnes Engineering and Physical Science Pocket Book, 463–474. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7506-1683-6.50064-3 

2. Minas Da Piedade, M. E. (1999). Oxygen Bomb Combustion Calorimetry: Principles and Applications to Organic and Organometallic Compounds. Energetics of Stable Molecules and Reactive Intermediates, 29–53. doi:10.1007/978-94-011-4671-5_2 

3. Lyon, R. E. (2015). Thermal dynamics of bomb calorimeters. Review of Scientific Instruments, 86(12), 125103. doi:10.1063/1.4936568