AEE 334

EXPERIMENT #1: DETERMINATION OF BOILER EFFICIENCY

Objective:
The aim of this experiment is to determine the efficiency of a boiler and to study
the effect of various factors.
Experimental Setup:

Theory:
Energy released by the combustion process is used to heat the water. The boiler
efficiency is the ratio of useful heat taken by water (Qw ) to available heat in fuel (Qf ):
b =

Qw
Qf

(1)

The efficiency of the Unit during experiment will be affected mainly from
incomplete combustion (Qi), heat loss from exhaust (Qe) and heat loss from the
environment (Q).
To cross check the measured quantities, a heat balance is needed.
Qf = Qw + Qi + Q + Qe

(2)

The available heat in fuel Qf can be found from complete combustion process by
writing chemical balance equation of fuel.( % X Propane, C3H8 and (1-X) Butane, C4H10)
where;

Qf = [ Ni hf ]p - [ Ni hf ]r

(3)

hf is enthalpy of formation of substance (kj/kg) at temperature T, 298 K.

The composition of fuel (i.e. X) will be determined using the gas analysis results.

The heat taken by water can be found from measurements on water and ambient
conditions.
To calculate the heat loss from the combustion chamber of the boiler to the
surroundings Q, use heat transfer methods,
where;

Q = - h A (T(x)- T)

(4)

h is convection heat transfer coefficient , h = 25 W/m 2 K

T is temperature of surroundings.
Area, A can be found from S and L:
S is the perimeter of the combustion chamber, S = 163 cm
L is the length of the combustion chamber, L = 97 cm
T(x) is the temperature at the x- location of the boiler
The heat loss from the exhaust can be found ;
Qe = - [ Ni ( hTi - hTi )]p

(5)

The effect of incomplete combustion can be calculated as follows;

Qi = ( Qcomplete comb. - Qactual comb. )

(6)

And finally the boiler efficiency can be found from;

e =

Qw (useful heat taken by water)

Qf (the available heat taken from complete combustion of fuel)

Experimental Procedure:
The unit will be ignited and allowed to achieve steady state conditions with the
air/fuel ratio chosen for each student in the experiment group. The water flow rate is
adjusted to give a high outlet temperature, of order of 80C. Care must be taken here,
with constant observation.
At steady condition measurements are taken of everything which would contribute
to the heat gain or loss of the system, these being mainly the flow rate and temperature,
heat the cooling water, flue gas temperature and composition, and the heat loss from the
surface of the Unit to the atmosphere. Flue gas temperature must be measured accurately
with, say, a suction pyrometer. Losses from the Unit surfaces may be estimated. The
exhaust gas composition is determined by the gas flow analyzer.
Calculation and Results:
Every student in a lab group will evaluate the isentropic efficiency from his/her
own measured values in the experiment. Then every group will cooperate to plot air/mass
ratio vs. efficiency graph.(Only one graph is enough for each group and indicate your
group number)
For this section of the experiment, students are required to show all the
calculations and assumptions made neatly. Show your results in tabulated form.
Discussion and Conclusion:
Write your own opinions and thoughts about the results. What might be the
possible causes of error made in this experiment? Make a detailed error analysis. Also
discuss about whether the results are acceptable or not.

Mr. zhan Turgut is responsible for this experiment.