DDS CALORIMETERS OPERATIONS MANUAL V1.1
2022
Website:
www.ddscalorimeters.com
27
Digital Data Systems (Pty) Ltd.
CAL3K Advanced Bomb Calorimeters
www.ddscalorimeters.com
A Gelatine Capsule is used when burning:
•
Fine powdery substances, which ‘scatter’ easily
•
Benzoic acid powder
A crucible cover disk is used when burning:
•
Volatile samples (fuels)
When using these items, you will first need to determine the energy value of the Spike.
GELATINE CAPSULE FOR POWDERY SUBSTANCES: The gelatine capsule is the Spike.
CRUCIBLE COVER DISK FOR VOLATILE SUBSTANCES: The cover disk is the Spike.
BAD/RELUCTANT BURNING SUBSTANCES: The BA is the Spike.
BA POWDER IN A CAPSULE: The gelatine capsule is the spike.
The following method is the traditional method. Later a ‘EASY CAPSULE’ spiking method is explained.
13.1
SPIKE VALUE
You need to burn the spike material and determine its calorific value. If a BA tablet is the spike then the
value is known. The CV of the gelatine capsule is also known, but the cover disk needs to be determined.
This is best done by burning let say 10 cover disk and dividing the result by 10 to obtain the CV of a
single disk. This obtained CV value must be entered as the SPIKE VALUE in the CAL3K. The spike value is
entered in the specified Unit of measure.
15 SPIKE VALUE 1
The Spike Value is the CV of the spike material. If Benzoic Acid is used for spiking, then the CV=26.454KJ/g.
The default setting is 26.454KJ/g
13.2
SPIKE MASS
This is the mass of the substance to be used for spiking. The procedure to follow is to place the crucible
on the balance and press TARE. Then add the substance to be used for spiking to the crucible. This Mass
value is the “Spike Mass” and must be entered
manually
into the Calorimeter. Tare the balance again.
Then add the sample. This mass is the sample mass and must be entered in as the Mass (Balance Mass)
7 SPIKE MASS 0
This is the spike mass. If the value is >0 the spiking is assumed and the result will be reduced by:
Spike mass x Spike value.
The spike mass is cleared after a determination. A ‘ZERO’ spike mass disables the spiking process.
