PRACTICAL SCIENCE 3

TOPIC : FUEL

Purposes : To determine the fuel values for kerosene, LPG and wax.

Theoretical background:

Heat of Combustion of a substance is the heat liberated when 1 mole of the substance
undergoes complete combustion with oxygen at constant pressure. Combustion is
always exothermic, cH is negative. By definition, the heat of combustion is minus the
enthalpy change for the combustion reaction, ie, - cH. By definition, the heat of
combustion is a positive value. Heat of Combustion can be measured experimentally.

The chemical reaction is typically a hydrocarbon reacting with oxygen to form carbon
dioxide, water and heat. The heating value or calorific value of a substance, usually a
fuel or food, is the amount of heat released during the combustion of a specified amount
of it. The calorific value is a characteristic for each substance. It is measured in units of
energy per unit of the substance, usually mass, such as: kcal/kg, kJ/kg, J/mol, Btu/m³.
Heating value is commonly determined by use of a bomb calorimeter.

Apparatus :
 Copper can
 Tripod stand
 100cm3 measuring cylinder
 Thermometer
 Spririt lamp
 Electronic balance
 Pipe-clay triangle
 Windshield
 Wooden block
Chemical materials :
• Kerosene
 • LPG (Laboratory gas)
• Wax (candle)

Diagram :

Procedures :
1. Using a measuring cylinder, 200 cm3 of water was poured into a
copper can.
2. The copper can was placed on a tripod stand.
3. The initial temperature of the water was measured and recorded.
4. A windshield was placed as in the diagram.
5. 50 cm3 of kerosene was poured into a spirit lamp and the mass of
the lamp and its content was recorded.
6. The lamp was put under the copper can as shown in the diagram
and the wick of the lamp was lighted up immediately.
7. The water was stirred throughout the experiment.
8. The flame was put off when the temperature of the water increases
by 30oC. The highest temperature reached by the water was
recorded.
 9. The mass of the lamp and its content was weighed and recorded
immediately.
10. Steps 1 to 9 was repeated using wax (candle).
11. Steps 1 to 9 were repeated using LPG.

Formula for calculation:

No of mol = mv
1000
Whereas,
m = molar
v = volume

q = ms∆T
Whereas,
q = heat
m = mass
∆T = changes in temperature

Results :

Kerosene:
Initial temperature of water (oC) 28.0OC
 Highesat temperature of water (oC) 58.0OC
Increase in temperature (oC) 30.0OC
Mass of lamp before burning (g) 163.52 g
Mass of lamp after burning (g) 161.25 g
Mass of kerosene burnt (g) 2.27 g
Table 1 : The result of kerosene

LPG:
Initial temperature of water (oC) 32.5OC
Highest temperature of water (oC) 63.0OC
Increase in temperature (oC) 31.5OC
Mass of lamp before burning (g) 443.58 g
Mass of lamp after burning (g) 441.48 g
Mass of LPG burnt (g) 2.10 g
Table 2 : The result of LPG

Wax:
Initial temperature of water (oC) 31.5OC
Highest temperature of water (oC) 61.5OC
Increase in temperature (oC) 30.0OC
Mass of lamp before burning (g) 16.85 g
Mass of lamp after burning (g) 15.16 g
Mass of wax burnt (g) 1.74 g
Table 3 : The result of Wax

Observation:
Figure 2 : Initial and final temperature of water was taken

Figure 3 : Use candle to determine its fuel values

Figure 4 : The aluminum can was closed by lit to avoid heat releases to surrounding

Calculation:
Fuel value for Kerosene
C12H26 (l) + 37/2O2 12CO2 (g) + 13H2O (g)
q = m s ΔT
m = 200 g
s = 4.18 Jg-1 0C
ΔT = 30.0 0C
q = (200) g x (4.18) Jg-1 0C-1 x (30 .0) 0C
= 25080 J
=25.08 KJ
Molar mass of kerosene, C12H26 (C=12, H=1)

No. of mol of kerosene, C12H26 = mass/molecular Relative Mass, Mr

= 2.27 / 12(12 + 26(1)
= 0.013 mol

1 mol of kerosene = 25.08

0.013
ΔH = -1929 KJ mol-1

Fuel value for LPG (Propane and Butane)

1. Propane
C3H8 (l) + 5O2 (g) 3CO2 (g) + 4H2O (l)
q = m s ΔT
m = 200 g
s = 4.18 Jg-1 0C
ΔT = 30.0 0C
q = (200) g x (4.18) Jg-1 0C-1 x (30 .0) 0C
= 25080 J
=25.08 KJ
Molar mass of Propene, C3H8 (C=12, H=1)
No. of mol of Propane, C3H8 = mass/molecular Relative Mass, Mr
= 2.10 / 3(12 + 8(1)
= 0.048 mol
1 mol of Propane = 25.08
0.048 mol
ΔH = -522.5 KJ mol-1

2. Butane
2C4H10 + 13O2 8CO2 + 10H2
q = m s ΔT
m = 200 g
s = 4.18 Jg-1 0C
ΔT = 30.0 0C
q = (200) g x (4.18) Jg-1 0C-1 x (30 .0) 0C
= 25080 J
=25.08 KJ
Molar mass of Butane, C4H10 (C=12, H=1)
No. of mol of Butane, C4H10 = mass/molecular Relative Mass, Mr
= 2.10 / 4(12 + 10(1)
= 0.036 mol

1 mol of Butane = 25.08

0.036
ΔH = 696.6 KJ mol-1

Fuel value of Wax

C25H52 (s) + 38O2 (g) 25CO2 (g) + 26H2O (g)
q = m s ΔT
 m = 200 g
s = 4.18 Jg-1 0C
ΔT = 30.0 0C
q = (200) g x (4.18) Jg-1 0C-1 x (30 .0) 0C
= 25080 J
= 25.08 KJ
Molar mass of wax, C25H52 (C=12, H=1)
No. of mol of kerosene, C25H52 = mass/molecular Relative Mass, Mr
= 1.74 / 25(12 + 52(1)
= 0.005 mol
1 mol of kerosene = 25.08
0.005
ΔH = -5016 KJ mol-1

Overall fuel values:

Types of fuel Fuel value (KJmol-1)
Kerosene -1929
LPG propane = -522.5
butane = -696.6
Wax -5016

Discussion:

In this experiment, I have used 3 substances which is kerosene, LPG and wax in
which we needed to find its fuel values. First, we used kerosene or kerosine, colorless,
thin mineral oil whose density is between 0.75 and 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter. A
mixture of hydrocarbons, it is commonly obtained in the fractional distillation of
petroleum as the portion boiling off between 150&degC; and 275&degC; (302&degF;–
527&degF;). Kerosene has been recovered from other substances, notably coal (hence
another name, coal oil), oil shale, and wood. At one time kerosene was the most
important refinery product because of its use in lamps. Now it is most noted for its use
as a carrier in insecticide sprays and as a fuel in jet engines. The fuel value of kerosene
that I obtained in this experiment is -1929 KJ mol-1.

Second, we used liquefied petroleum gases(LPG). The LPG comprise propane

and butane or a mixture of these two hydrocarbons. They can be liquefied under low
pressure (5-10 atmospheres). In the liquid state and at a temperature of 38 degrees C
they have a relative vapour pressure less than or equal to 24.5 bars. Their specific
gravity ranges from 0.50 to 0.58. These are the light hydrocarbons fraction of the
paraffin series, derived from refinery processes, crude oil stabilisation plants and natural
gas processing plants comprising propane and butane or a combination of the two.
They are normally liquefied under pressure for transportation and storage. The fuel
value of propane that was used in this experiment is -522.5 KJ mol-1 while for butane is
-696.6 KJ mol-1.

And lastly, we used wax. Chemically, a wax is a type of lipid that may contain a
wide variety of long-chain alkanes, esters, polyesters and hydroxy esters of long-chain
primary alcohols and fatty acids. They are usually distinguished from fats by the lack of
triglyceride esters of glycerin (propan-1,2,3-triol) and three fatty acids. In addition to the
esters that contribute to the high melting point and hardness of carnauba wax, the
epicuticular waxes of plants are mixtures of substituted long-chain aliphatic
hydrocarbons, containing alkanes, fatty acids, primary and secondary alcohols, diols,
ketones, aldehydes. Paraffin waxes are hydrocarbons, mixtures of alkanes usually in a
homologous series of chain lengths. Waxes are used to make wax paper, impregnating
and coating paper and card to waterproof it or make it resistant to staining, or to modify
its surface properties. Waxes are also used in shoe polishes, wood polishes, and
automotive polishes, as mold release agents in mold making, as a coating for many
cheeses, and to waterproof leather and fabric. Wax has been used since antiquity as a
temporary, removable model in lost-wax casting of gold, silver and other materials. The
fuel value of wax that we obtained from this experiment is -5016 KJ mol-1.

The theoretical fuel values of these three substance, kerosene, butane and
propane is -7513 KJ mol-1, -527 KJ mol-1 and -683 KJ mol-1 respectively. The values
that we obtained are slightly lower due to its major possibilities, which is the occurrence
of incomplete combustion. Incomplete combustion mainly occurs due to lack of oxygen
surrounding the combustion area. This is unparallel with the theoretical values that are
based on full or completed combustion.

There are some precautionary steps that need to be taken while doing this
experiment, such as:
• The fans have to be turned off to make sure the reading of the weight of the
substances is correct.
• The kerosene and LPG have to be handle carefully because it is highly
flammable.
• The eyes have to be place in parallel with the reading scale of the thermometer
to avoid any parallax error.
• The thermometer have to be make sure is not touching the copper can while
combustion is occurring to prevent the thermometer from showing the incorrect
reading.
• Beware of the sooth produced during the combustion due to its danger to health.

Questions:

1. State the 6 factors that affect the selection of a fuel to be used in

industries.
a. Cost
b. Fuel values
c. Availability
 d. Effect to environment
e. Storage space to store fuel
f. Technology used to harness the energy from the fuel
g. Have a moderate rate of combustion

1. If you are given wax, kerosene and LPG, which one would you choose to
use for your camping trip for cooking your meals? Explain.
I will choose LPG in my camping trip for cooking my ameals. There are several
reasons why I chose this substance. First of all, is because it is very light and
user-friendly. I said it that way is because it is stored in a can, which is very
portable and it is also very easy to use. Besides that, LPG also did not produce
any kind of smoke and soot. Not to forget, LPG also is the substance that has the
highest fuel values compared to these 3 substances.
2. If a LPG contains only butane and propane, write equations for the
combustion of these two hydrocarbons.
Combustion of Butane =
C4H10 + 132O2 4CO2 + 5H2O
Combustion of Propane =
C3H8 + 5O2 3CO2 + 4H2O

3. Explain why the fuel values obtained are less than theoretical values.
It gives different values and less than the exact value because of some heat will
lost to the environment when the burning process. Besides that not all the heat
absorb by the water, it is also absorbed by the copper can. Other reason why the
values reach approximate values because during reading the thermometer, must
be error occurred which is parallax error where we read the reading, our eyes is
not parallel to the thermometer. We cannot determine where the highest
temperature is attained so the different in temperature will make the different in
 temperature. We actually need to get even temperature so that we can get more
accurate result. Lastly, incomplete supply of oxygen throughout the combustion
also can make the heat values decrease its number.

Reflection:

While doing this experiment, there are several aspects that has to be taken
seriously. For example, the importance of making sure that the apparatus that you want
to use is in the correct condition. In this case, the copper case that we used is not fully
function for some of us and the apparatus and materials are not even enough for every
partner in the class. So, we have to share our apparatus and combines with other
groups and shares our result and calculation with them. Besides that, we have to make
sure that we take the correct reading of the weight of the candle, Bunsen burner and the
lamp to make sure that our readings and results did not run too far off the theoretical
fuel values.

Conclusion:

As a conclusion, every fuel substances has its own fuels values that differs from
one kind of another. The amount of fuel values ussualy deters by its amounts of carbon
in that particular substances. And we have found out in this experiment, wax has the
highest amount of fuel values and carbon per molecule in it meanwhile LPG has the
lowest and kerosene is in the middle.