Calorimeter

Abstract: A new bench-scale rate of heat release calorimeter utilizing the oxygen consumption principle has been developed for use in fire testing and research. Specimens may be of uniform or composite construction and may be tested in a horizontal, face-up orientation, or, for those which do not melt, in a vertical orientation. An external irradiance of zero to over 100 kW m−2 may be imposed by means of a temperature-controlled radiant heater. The rate of heat release is determined by measuring combustion product gas flow and oxygen depletion, while the mass loss is also recorded simultaneously. The instrument has been designed to be capable of higher accuracy than existing instruments and yet to be simple to operate and moderate in construction cost. The instrument is thermed a ‘cone calorimeter’ because of the geometric arrangement of the electric heater.

Abstract: High temperature reaction calorimetry has seen considerable advances over the past twenty years. New and more sensitive calorimeters, improved sample handling techniques, and better control of the final dissolved state has made solution calorimetry and drop solution calorimetry, using molten lead borate and other solvents, very versatile and reliable techniques. This paper summarizes these advances and presents examples of specific applications to problems of transition metal oxide chemistry, high pressure geophysics, melt and glass energetics, and metastable materials relevant to the earth sciences.

Abstract: A new bench-scale rate of heat release calorimeter utilizing the oxygen consumption principle has been developed for use in fire testing and research. Specimens may be of uniform or composite construction and may be tested in a horizontal, face-up orientation, or, for those which do not melt, in a vertical orientation. An external irradiance of zero to over 100 kW m−2 may be imposed by means of a temperature-controlled radiant heater. The rate of heat release is determined by measuring combustion product gas flow and oxygen depletion, while the mass loss is also recorded simultaneously. The instrument has been designed to be capable of higher accuracy than existing instruments and yet to be simple to operate and moderate in construction cost. The instrument is thermed a ‘cone calorimeter’ because of the geometric arrangement of the electric heater.

Abstract: An accelerating rate calorimeter was developed for thermal hazard evaluation to provide time-temperature-pressure data for chemical reactions taking place under adiabatic conditions. The data interpretation is illustrated with an nth-order reaction. The technique was applied to a study of the thermal decomposition of N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluene sulfonamide, commonly known as Diazald.

Abstract: We describe a new calorimeter for measuring heat capacity in the range 1–35 K, using a silicon chip bolometer as sample holder, temperature sensor, and sample heater. The apparatus is capable of measuring very small samples (1–500 mg), and may be used with a number of different experimental methods.