Abstract: A combustion calorimeter (1) has a housing (6) and therein a detachably mounted decomposition vessel (2) with sample holder (11) and ignition apparatus (12) in its reaction chamber (3). The wall (4) of the decomposition vessel (2) and also the upper decomposition wall (5) here have in the vertical use position a wall thickness that increases from the bottom to the top in order to conduct the heat generated in a combustion process if possible into the upper region of the decomposition vessel (2), where also at least one temperature sensor (7) can be arranged. Owing to the increase in thickness of the delimitation of the internal or reaction space (3), the heat can be distributed therein more favorably.

Abstract: A method for estimating a heating value of a biological material is disclosed. The method comprises: correlating amounts of radiation transmitted through a number of different reference materials, said radiation being electromagnetic radiation of at least two energy levels, with heating values for said reference materials obtained by calorimeter measurements; irradiating the biological material (102) with electromagnetic radiation of said at least two different energy levels;and measuring the amount of radiation (109a-c) transmitted through said biological material at said energy levels. The method further comprises determining, for each energy level, a transmission value through the biological material based on the radiation through said biological material; and determining, based on said determined transmission values and said correlation, an estimate of the heating value of said biological material. A corresponding apparatus (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A calorimeter which includes a casing in which a sample is combusted, a jacket around the casing, and temperature sensors in an outer surface of the jacket.

Abstract: An apparatus (A) for testing an associated construction material sample includes a housing (20) having an internal chamber (22) divided by a wall portion (30) into first and second portions (24, 26). A support in the housing is dimensioned to mount an associated construction material sample therein. A first burner (60) communicates with first portion of the housing for supplying a flame thereto. A second burner (80) communicates with the second portion of the housing for preheating the first portion. The testing method of an associated construction material sample includes installing the sample in the housing, preheating the housing, introducing a flame toward the sample, monitoring the flame as combustion progresses longitudinally along the sample, and recording data regarding the flame progression.

Abstract: A new adiabatic scanning calorimeter allows the thermal mass of a high-pressure reaction vessel to be dynamically compensated during a test. This allows the effective ? factor for the experiment to be reduced to 1.0 without the use of complex pressure balancing equipment. Endothermic events can be quantified and sample specific heats can be measured. The time required for test completion is much shorter than for conventional adiabatic calorimeters, thus considerably improving apparatus productivity. The sensitivity to exotherm detection is at least as good as existing adiabatic calorimeters employing the Heat-Wait-Search strategy, but does depend on the temperature-scanning rate. In addition, the heat of reaction is obtained without reference to the heat capacity of the sample, pressure is measured continuously, reactants may be injected into the test vessel and the sample can be mixed during the test.

Abstract: A flammability test apparatus comprises a chamber, an inlet, an ignition source, a heater, and pressure and temperature sensors. In one embodiment, the chamber includes a horizontally-oriented, cylindrically-shaped section. The inlet allows a fluid to be introduced into the chamber. The ignition source ignites the fluid within the chamber, and the heater adjusts the temperature of the fluid within the chamber. The test apparatus includes a sparger for dispersing the fluid within the chamber, and the sparger disposed within the chamber and attached to the inlet. The test apparatus also includes a relief system for exhausting the chamber after the pressure of the fluid in the chamber exceeds a preset pressure.

Abstract: Ceramic liners for use with closed bomb devices are disclosed. The closed bomb devices measure performance properties of energetic materials, such as solid propellant, explosive, and pyrotechnic formulations. The closed bomb devices include a body and a ceramic liner. Alumina silicate and boron nitride are two currently preferred ceramic liner materials which have low compressibility, low thermal conductivity, and excellent durability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for evaluating gas bag inflator designs are disclosed, including an inflator state machine having slots for signals corresponding to predetermined gas dynamic and heat transfer characteristics of a gas bag inflator at a specified time. Inflator state machines having one or more chambers, and zero or more deflectors, screen packs, burst disks, and vents are supported. Initial temperatures, pressures, and chamber gas contents may be specified, as may the geometry and other characteristics of gas generant pills. A controller in the state machine accesses a chemical database to obtain information about enthalpy, viscosity, and other properties of gas generant combustion products, igniter combustion products, and other compounds present within the gas bag inflator.

Abstract: A calorimeter for determining the calorific value of a sample on the basis of the difference in temperature, measured on a real time basis, between the temperature of the water in a bucket containing the sample in a conventional calorimeter bomb and the temperature of the water in a reservoir maintained at substantially ambient temperature. The water from the reservoir is circulated by a pump through a heat exchanger, a water jacket surrounding the bucket and back to the reservoir in an effort to maintain the water in the system at ambient temperature. A method for calculating the corrected bucket temperature rise on the basis of Newton's Law of Cooling and for calculating the gross calorific value of the sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the calorific value and other quantities of combustible substances. The apparatus includes a support structure to which a pressure vessel is mounted. The pressure vessel has a cap which provides access to a combustion chamber within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is preferably of a double walled construction and a fluid flowpath is formed between the two walls. During combustion tests the temperature of fluid in the flowpath is monitored. Surrounding the pressure vessel is a temperature loss control means which in the preferred embodiment comprises a water jacket through which water is circulated at constant temperature. The invention extends to a method of measuring thermal quantities of combustible substances as well as to a method of determining the sulphur content of combustible substances.

Abstract: A catalytic calorimeter measures the heat value of a gas and includes a chamber for receiving gas and air. A catalyst within the chamber causes the combustion of the gas and air, while a first thermocouple provides a signal indicating the temperature of the gas and air prior to combustion. A second thermocouple indicates the temperature of the catalyst, which is heated by an electrical resistance heater. A first temperature controller is connected to the second thermocouple and the heater for maintaining the catalyst at a predetermined temperature. A heat sink within the chamber absorbs heat from the products of the combustion of the gas and a third thermocouple indicates the temperature of the heat sink. A Peltier effect thermoelectric cooler is provided to remove heat from the heat sink. A second temperature controller connected to the third thermocouple and the cooler maintains the heat sink at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method of determining heat losses due to incomplete fuel combustion consists in that periodic sampling of fuel combustion products is carried out. The sample is separated into two parts, one of which includes a gaseous phase, and the other, solid and gaseous phases. Oxygen concentration in each part is assessed, after which both parts are heated and burnt up to determine oxygen concentration after burning. Oxygen losses in the gaseous phase and in the mixture of the solid and the gaseous phases are determined, and heat losses due to chemical and total underburning of fuel are defined as the ratio between oxygen losses. Then heat losses due to mechanical underburning of fuel are estimated as the difference of heat losses due to total chemical and mechanical underburning, and chemical underburning of fuel.

Abstract: A reaction chamber assembly comprises a tapered pin having a radial chamber in which chemical or digestive reactions are to be carried out, and a collar member having a tapered bore of a taper size corresponding to that of the pin member. A closure mechanism is provided for urging the pin member into the bore so that there is a sealing engagement between the tapered surfaces of the members which acts to seal the chamber. The collar member may have a reinforcing sleeve fitted around it.

Abstract: The apparatus materializing the method of determining the content of combustibles in the products of fuel combustion incorporates an oven with an electric heater connected into the load circuit of a controllable voltage source. The oven is provided with a pipe for introducing a sample of the end products of fuel combustion and with pipes for admitting an oxidizing agent and removing the end products of combustion of the combustibles. The sample is heated in the presence of the oxidizing agent to a temperature equal to or higher than the fire point of the combustibles present in the sample which, consequently, burn down. The temperature during the process of combustion is maintained constant with the aid of a temperature controller having its input connected to a temperature transducer located in the oven and its output connected to the output of the controllable voltage source.

Abstract: A bomb-type conduction calorimeter consists of a bomb separated from a substantially infinite heat sink by several heat flow detecting elements. The bomb is enclosed by an inner copper box having a cylindrical interior and a polygonal exterior. The inner copper box is enclosed by an outer copper box having a polygonal interior. The heat flow detecting means may be several thermopiles in contact with the inner and outer polygonal surfaces. The infinite heat sink may be a constant temperature water bath. Heat flow directly from the test substance is measured, as opposed to the heat flow dissipated to the environment of the bomb. The calorific values determined are independent of the amount of water in the water bath.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously measuring the heating power of a fuel gas comprises a calorimeter containing a vertical cell whose lower part accomodates a burner. The burner and the cell are respectively fed with fuel gas and with combustion air at a predetermined pressure and feed rate. The calorimeter has an external wall defining an annular vertical space with a wall of the cell. A dividing wall parallel to the external wall divides the annular space into concentric enclosures having a thickness which is small as compared with their length and circumferential size. The enclosures contain a same measurement gas and are operatively associated in a differential gas thermometer arrangement.

Abstract: A method of determining heat losses due to incomplete fuel combustion consists in that periodic sampling of fuel combustion products is carried out. The sample is separated into two parts, one of which includes a gaseous phase, and the other, a solid and a gaseous phases. Oxygen concentration in each part is assessed, after which both parts are heated and burnt up to determine oxygen concentration after burning. Oxygen losses in the gaseous phase and in the mixture of the solid and the gaseous phases are determined, and heat losses due to chemical and total underburning of fuel are defined as the ratio between oxygen losses. Then heat losses due to mechanical underburning of fuel are estimated as the difference of heat losses due to total chemical and mechanical underburning, and chemical underburning of fuel.

Abstract: A calorimeter vessel includes a base for supporting a bomb thereon and a downwardly concavely opening container sealably engaging the base. The base includes a water supply system permitting a common water supply to supply water to three such vessels which include water level detecting sensors also permitting automatic filling of the vessels. In the preferred embodiment the vessel is filled in two stages providing rapid yet precise filling of each of the vessels. In one embodiment of the invention a microprocessor control circuit is employed for sampling temperature data within each of the vessels during an analysis to ascertain beginning and ending temperatures and for calculating the resultant heat of combustion of a sample. The microprocessor also is employed to automatically control the filling and emptying of the vessel and the firing of the sample containing calorimeter bomb.