1.

INTRODUCTION

We use different kinds of heat transfer fluids in thermodynamic systems. When handling them,
storing them and transporting them we have to concern about the safety. Because there can be highly
inflammable fluids as well. In order to avoid any hazardous situation, it’s a must to know their flash
point, fire point and auto ignition temperatures and deal with them. In this practical we are going to
experimentally find the flash point temperature of diesel and coconut oil.

2. OBJECTIVE

To determine the flash point of a given liquid fuel and to verify that it does or does not comply with
BSS 596 or 597, for the class of fuels to which it belongs.

3. THEORY

Before going to find out the flash point of a heat transfer fluid it’s better to know the definitions of
followings.

• Flash-Point Temperature – The lowest temperature at which a heated liquid's vapor/air mixture
can be ignited ("flashed") by a flame or spark, or another ignition source placed above the liquid
surface.
• Fire-Point Temperature – The lowest temperature at which a heated liquid's vapor/air mixture
will burn continuously when combustion is supported by ignition sources such as the above.
• Auto-Ignition Temperature – The lowest temperature at which a heated liquid's vapors in air will
self-ignite and burn, without exposure to any ignition source.

In this practical we consider only about the flash-point temperature of coconut oil and diesel. We
know that all liquids have their own specific vapor pressure and it is a function of temperature which
obeys the Boyles’s law. When we heat that liquid according to Boyle’s law vapor pressure will be
increased. It occurs due to the increase of vapor concentration of that liquid in the air. When vapor
concentration reaches its’ specific vapor concentration for the lower flammable limit sudden
combustion take place when there is an ignition source. As a result of that we can carefully observe
a sudden flash. The temperature which this flash generates we define it as the flash-point temperature
of that liquid.

4. APPARATUS
• Pensky Martin Flash Point Tester
• Bunsen Burner
• Thermometer
• Gas connections
• Samples of coconut oil and diesel
5. PROCEDURE
• Connect the Bunsen burner and gas jets to the gas supply and ignite the Bunsen burner and place
it under the iron casting of the tester.
• Use the wire mesh provided to spread the flame and heat the casting gently.
• Pour oil to be tested into the brass vessel up to the mark and place the cover on the vessel.
• Place the vessel in position on casting and place a suitable thermometer in the pocket provided
for it.
• Light the ignition jet and adjust to give small flame.
• Stir oil by rotating the rod attached to the flexible spring at intervals during the experiment.
• When the temperature has risen to a suitable figure (e.g., around 350℉ for oil), reduce the gas
supply to the burner to give a very slow heat and swing the wire mesh clear of the flame.
• Then test for the flash point by rotating the knurled knob and apply the ignition flame to the
interior of the vessel. the time of application the flame should be approximately 3 second.
• Test for flash point of each five degrees rise in temperature. the flash can be easily seen and is
accompanied by a soft ‘plopping’ noise.
• Note the temperature at which it occurs. Let the oil cool down and write down the temperatures
until where there is no longer flash and find the correct flash point.
• Do these steps for the two oils separately.
6. OBSERVATIONS
7. RESULTS

According to our experiments,

Flash point of Coconut Oil = Around 118℃

Flash point of Diesel = Around 68℃

8. DISCUSSION
• Definitions of flash point and fire point.

Open and closed flash points exist, and both are occasionally stated in specifications. When oil
is heated in an open vessel, the open flash point is the temperature at which the vapors quickly
ignite, while the closed flash point is the temperature at which they quickly ignite in a closed
vessel. The closed flash point is always lower than the open flash point because the vapors cannot
escape from a closed vessel. This difference is greater for oils with higher flash points and is
typically between five and fifteen degrees.
The temperature at which oil vapors ignite and burn for five seconds is known as the fire point.

Open flash points for lubricating oils are never lower than 300°F, and a good quality motor oil
typically has an average flash point of 400–450°F. With the typical type of straight mineral oil,
there can be a difference of up to 60°F between the open flash point and the fire point of an oil.
In the case of steam cylinder oils, it might go as high as 80°F.

• Importance of flash point and fire point.

a. To identify whether the oil or the lubricant is contaminated: -

When an oil or a lubricant is contaminated, their flash point and fire points can be
slightly lower or higher. Before producing these oils and lubricant, in the quality
check procedures manufacturers do some experiments to check whether the oil or
the lubricant is contaminated by experimentally find their flash points and fire
points.

b. For safe handling purposes.

It is quite important to know the flash point and fire points of oils and lubricants
when they storing and handling. According to their flash points and fire points
they can be easily recognized as inflammable or not. Products with flash points
less than 38℃ will usually require special precautions for safe handling.

c. For fuel selection in combustion process.

In combustion processes, fuel is combusted to get the thermal energy as its’
output. In these processes the most effective fuel for the specific application is
chosen depend on their properties like calorific values, density, viscosity and
flash/fire point.
• Importance of flash point for engine lubrication oil.

Lubrication oil in an engine is used for smooth operation of pistons and other components. In
one hand it absorbed some heat of the engine as well. When selecting a proper lubrication oil for
engines, manufacturers always have to choose a lubrication oil with a lower flash point than the
fuel which is used for the combustion process in the engine. Flash point difference of the fuel
and lubrication oil should be significantly high as lubrication oil’s properties can be changed due
to presence of flash and lubrication oil has to be changed in short time periods.

• Suitability of coconut oil as an engine lubricant.

When selecting a proper lubricant for an engine there are more things to be considered. Viscosity,
flash point/fire point, density, how properties change with the increase of temperatures etc.
Normally lubricant which is used for an engine should have a flash point more than 225℃. When
we talk about the suitability of coconut oil as a lubricant for engines, it should be not suitable as
it has lower flash point. As this experiment was done only to find the flash point of coconut oil,
we can’t comment on the other properties of coconut oil to be selected it as lubricant for an
engine.

• Methods to minimize the errors of the experiment.

✓ With continuous stirring accurate temperature readings can be taken.

✓ Avoid leaving the flash point checking orifice open for too long. That will result in the
fuel vapor being removed.
✓ Oils must fill the cup up to the mark that is visible. Less oil will result in higher vapor
pressure areas and lower vapor production temperatures. Excessive temperatures are a
result of high oil volume.
✓ The flames must be adjusted throughout the entire burning area.
✓ Blowing out the flame before it reaches the observation temperature and taking readings
while the temperature is in the right place will give you the precise point temperature.
Otherwise, it is impossible to manage temperature increment.
9. REFERENCES

[1] J. G. Speight, “Properties of organic compounds,” in Environmental Organic Chemistry for

Engineers, Elsevier, 2017, pp. 203–261.
[2] “First principles: No. 4. Flash & fire points,” Ind. Lubr. Tribol., vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 18–18,
1949.
[3] P. Gujarati, “What is the importance of ‘flash point’ and ‘fire-point’?,” Mechanical Duniya,
31-Mar-2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.mechanicalduniya.com/2021/04/importance-of-flash-point-and-fire-point/.
[Accessed: 24-Sep-2022].
[4] “Solutions to WiindowPop-up and Java problems on engineers edge,” Engineersedge.com.
[Online]. Available:
https://www.engineersedge.com/lubrication/flash_point_fire_point.htm. [Accessed: 24-Sep-
2022].
[5] BioBlend, “The importance of high flash point in lubricants,” BioBlend Lubricants &
Industrial Products, 23-Oct-2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.bioblend.com/the-
importance-of-high-flash-point-in-lubricants/. [Accessed: 24-Sep-2022].