Find out the heat of combustion in the five fuels; Methanol, Ethanol, Propanol, Butanol, Pentanol, All of these alcohols are apart of the Hydrocarbon chain.

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Investigating Fuels.

Aim;

To find out the heat of combustion in the five fuels;

                                 Methanol,

                                 Ethanol,

                                 Propanol,

                                 Butanol,

                                 Pentanol,

All of these alcohols are apart of the Hydrocarbon chain.

Apparatus;

I will need the following to carry out my investigation for the Experiment;

Top pan balance - To measure the weight of the fuel.

Clamp Stand – To hold the boiling tube above the crucible.

Boiling tube – To hold 30 cubic centimetres of water in.

Heat proof mat – So the Bunsen burner doesn’t burn the table.

Bunsen burner – I need the flame to light the taper.

Measuring cylinder – To measure 30cc of water in.

Mineral wool – So the taper can light the fuel easier.

A stop clock – To time how long the fuel will burn.

Taper – To light the fuel by using the flame from the Bunsen burner.

Ruler – To measure the distance from the crucible to the boiling tube.

Crucible – To carry the mineral wool and fuel in it.

Diagram;

                 

Plan;

First of all, I will set the clamp stand 3.5cm vertically higher then the crucible which then I put some mineral wool in and 30 drops of the fuel in. After that I am going to weigh the crucible making sure there is no other liquid or any other substances on the weigher, so I don’t do not get any anomalous results. After I have recorded the weight I am going to place the crucible directly under the boiling tube, like shown in the diagram, and then I am going to pour 30 cubic centimetres into the measuring cylinder. To make sure I have exactly 30 cubic centimetres in the cylinder I have to get down on my knee and get my eye sight level to the mark which is labelled “30cc” to get the experiment as accurate and reliable as I can. When I am satisfied with how much water I have got in the cylinder, I will pour it in the boiling tube and record the temperature of it. I will next put my goggles on to protect my eyes and light the Bunsen burner, then I will light one end of the taper by putting it in the Bunsen burner flame. After that at the same time I have to light the crucible with the fuel in it and start the stop clock at the same time. After the 2 minutes is up I will record the temperature, then straight away I will weigh the crucible and record it.

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I will repeat this experiment for all of the fuels at least twice, taking the weight and the temperature before and after for each to give a more accurate and reliable set of results at the end of the experiment.

Safety;

To make it safe to do the experiment I have to wear safety goggles because some of the fuels are corrosive, with means if it touches your skin it will itch and sting. My personal processions .e.g. my bag and coat have to be out my way because if any fuel spills on them it will smell and ...

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