DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG Doornfontein Campus
Title: Marcet Boiler

By

MOETI .MM 223045852

BEng Tech Industrial Engineering.

THERMOFLUID 1B(THFM1B1)

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DECLARATION.

I declare that this report is my own original work, not a copy of someone else's work, and has
not previously been submitted for evaluation at the University of Johannesburg or elsewhere.
Secondary material (whether from a printed source or the internet) has been carefully
recognized and cited in accordance with departmental rules. I understand what plagiarism is
and am aware of the department's policy on the subject.

Signature: MOETI MOJERI Date:28 September 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

I would like to give acknowledgements to my Lecturer (Dr SL Gqibani), Laboratory

technicians (Mr. W Tlali and Ms. Mohamed) and my tutors (Miss M Kurata and Miss M
Monaheng) for providing necessary guidance, tools and information to wards this
experiment.

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TABLE OF CONTENT.

1. Abstract …………………………………………………………………….4

2. Introduction……………………………………………………………….5

3. Objective…………………………………………………………………..6

4. Theory………………………………………………………………………7-8

5. Apparatus and Materials………………………………………….9-10

6. Procedures………………………………………………………………..11

7. Results……………………………………………………………………..12-13

8. Calculations………………………………………………………………14-15

9. Discussions…………………………………………………………………16

10.Conclusions…………………………………………………………………17

11.Recommendations………………………………………………………18

12.References…………………………………………………………………..19

13.Appendix……………………………………………………………………..20

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ABSTRUCT.

The Marcet Boiler is a benchtop unit designed to demonstrate the fundamental principles of
the boiling phenomenon and to investigate the link between the pressure and temperature of
saturated steam in equilibrium with water. The vapour pressure curve was also demonstrated
in this experiment. Water at room temperature was boiled to 185.0 °C, and the temperature
was recorded at every pressure change until 10.0 bar. To avoid inaccuracies, air was first
eliminated. The temperature was recorded again after the heater was turned off and cooled
until the steam pressure reached atmospheric pressure. The temperature increase and drop
readings were computed to determine the average temperature. With 29 observations, the
average temperature is 106.15°C at the first reading and rises to 184.60°C at the last.

The graph also demonstrates that the pressure and temperature curves are precisely related as
pressure increases. The absolute pressure graph against dT/dP (measured slope) deviated
slightly from the absolute pressure graph against Tvg/hfg (Slope computed). This could have
happened as a result of a few mistakes made during the experiment. The key method was to
allow steam to escape from the vent valve for roughly 30 seconds before closing it. Because
air may not have entirely flowed out of the valve, the reading was not consistently increasing.
Aside from that, perhaps the temperature was obtained while the pressure was still unstable.

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INTRODUCTION.

Thermodynamics is an investigation of the exchange of heat and work between a system

and its environment that occurs as the system goes through a process. Thermodynamics is
also concerned with changes in fluid characteristics. The majority of thermodynamic
substances, such as gases and vapours, are referred to as P-V-T substances. An ideal gas
follows the equation of state, which connects pressure, specific volume, and absolute
temperature to molecular mass and the gas constant R.

mRT
PV = M

Real gases, on the other hand, do not always obey the equation of state. Few changes to the

ideal gas equation of state allow it to be applied to the attributes of real gases. When

energy is provided to water, the increased activity of molecules causes an increase in the

number of molecules to flee off the surface until an equilibrium state is attained. The pressure

between the water surface and the steam determines the state of equilibrium. The lower the
pressure, the easier the molecules leave the water surface, requiring less energy to attain
equilibrium (boiling point). Saturated temperature is the temperature at which equilibrium
occurs at a certain pressure level. Saturated pressure is the pressure at which equilibrium
occurs at a certain temperature.

The Marcet Boiler is used to study the pressure-temperature relationship of a saturated steam
in equilibrium with water at all temperature levels between atmospheric pressure and ten
bars. The measured value of the slope of the graph (dT/dP) acquired from the experiment
results can be compared to the theoretical value obtained from steam table calculations .

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OBJECTIVE

 To investigate the relationship between steam pressure and temperature in equilibrium

with water.

 To comprehend the notion of pressure-temperature equilibrium in steam with water.

 To draw the steam saturation pressure curve.

 To keep track of the temperature and pressure of the saturated steam.

 To provide a list of applications for saturation steam in equilibrium with water.

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THEORY.

The Marcet Boiler was developed in order to investigate the relationship between the
pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium with water at all pressures
between atmospheric and 10 bar (abs) (150lb/in 2). Thermodynamics is a branch of physics
that studies the energy and work of a system. Thermodynamics solely deals with the large-
scale response of a system that can be observed and measured in experiments. Small-scale
gas interactions are explained by the kinetic theory of gases, which is a complement to
thermodynamics.

An ideal gas can be characterized by three state variables.

1) Volume (V)
2) Absolute Pressure (P)
3) Absolute Temperature (T)

A gas is said to be an ideal gas if it performs exactly as the ideal gas laws would predict in
terms of volume, pressure, moles, and temperature. When the gas deviates from Ideal Gas
behaviour, the gas is considered to be operating like a "real gas." When the energy within
water increases, the activities among the molecules increase, allowing an increase in the
number of molecules to escape from the surface until the equilibrium condition is attained.
The pressure between the water surface and steam determines the state of equilibrium. Lower
pressure allows molecules to leave the water surface more easily while requiring less energy
to achieve equilibrium (boiling point).

The measured value of the slope of the graph(dT/dP) can be obtained from the practical
results and can be compared with corresponding values calculated from the data in steam
tables. Clausius-Clapeyron states:

dT Tvfg
( ) SAT =
dP hfg

4)

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 ( dTdP ) SAT = T hf( vf−hg
−vg )

And hf +¿ hg ¿ hg → hfg = hg – hf

( dTdP ) SAT = T (vfh −vg

fg
) Tvg
=
h fg
as vg >> vf

In which,

vf = specific volume of saturated liquid.

vg = specific volume of saturated vapor.
hf = enthalpy of saturated liquid.
hg = enthalpy of saturated vapor.
Hfg = latent heat of vaporization.

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Apparatus and materials.

Figure 1. Marcet Boiler.

Table1: Marcet Boiler Labelling.

Component Component name
number

1 Pressure Gauge
2 Control Valve
3 Temperature Gauge
4 Boiler unit

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Figure 2. Marcet Boiler.

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PROCEDURES

 The unit was connected to the power supply to provide a heating rate of 2kW to the
electrical heater.

 The level valve was opened, and the power supply switched on.

 Temperature ‘setpoint’ was set to1800C.

 Waited for the steam output through the level valve to ensure that there is no air
trapped in the boiler.

 Level valve was closed and continued heating until the maximum gauge pressure
reached eight bars.

 Warning: Do not remove filler plug or open level valve when the device is
pressurized.

 The temperature ‘setpoint’ was decreased to room temperature in which the electrical
heater would be off.

 All temperature readings were recorded at different pressure settings of the boiler
when the boiler was heated and cooled.

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 Pressure, P Measured Calculated
(bars) Temperature, (℃) Slope, Slope,
dT/dp Tvg/hfg
Gauge Abs. Incr. Decr. Aver. Aver.
(℃) (℃) (℃) (°K)

1.0 1.98 83 114 98.5 371.65 0.149

1.5 2.48 92 119 105.5 378.65 0.14 0.125

2.0 2.98 97 122 109.5 382.65 0.22 0.107

2.5 3.48 101 123 112 385.15 0.05 0.094

3.0 3.98 104 124 114 387.15 0.04 0.084

3.5 4.48 107 124 115.5 388.65 0.03 0.075

4.0 4.98 110 124 117 390.15 0.03 0.069

4.5 5.48 112 125 118.5 391.65 0.03 0.064

5.0 5.98 113 125 119 392.15 0.01 0.059

5.5 6.48 114 125 119.5 392.65 0.01 0.055

6.0 6.98 115 125 120 393.15 0.01 0.052

6.5 7.48 116 125 120.5 393.65 0.01 0.049

7.0 7.98 116 125 120.5 393.65 0.00 0.046

7.5 8.48 117 125 121 394.15 0.01 0.044

8.0 8.98 118 125 121.5 394.65 0.01 0.042

RESULTS.
Atmospheric pressure: 0.98 bar
Atmospheric temperature: 14.5 (℃)

Table 2: Data Collected and Calculated Results.

Graph 1:

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Graph 2:

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CALCULATIONS.

Sample Calculation for Tavg:

T increase−T decrease
Average Temperature, Tavg = 2
83 ℃+114 ℃
= =98.5 ℃
2

= 98,5 + 273.15 = 371.65 K

Sample Calculation for dP:

dP2.48(bar) = Pabs@ 2.48bar – Pabs @ 1.98bar

= 2.48 bar – 1.98 bar = 0.50bar

100 kpa
= 0.50 bar × 1 ¯¿ ¿ = 50 Kpa

Sample Calculation for dT:

dT2.48 bar ¿ Tavg @ 4.8 bar −Tav g @1.98 ¯¿

= 378.65 K −371.65 K = 7.0 K

dT
Sample Calculation for :
dP

( )
dT
dP
2.48 ¯¿
¯¿
= (dT 2.48 dP 2.48 ¯¿ ¿ ¿ )
7K
= ( 50 Kpa )

= 0.14 K/Kpa

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 Tvg
Calculated Slope hfg

Values of Vg and hfg from the steam table.

Tvg 385.15 × 0.5240

= =0.094
hfg 2163

Percentage Error (%)

Measured Slope−Calculated Slope

Percentage error (%) = ×100
Measured Slope
0 , 05−0.094
= ×100
0.05

= -88

Table3. Percentage Error Calculations.

Calculated Slope Measured Slope Percentage Error (%)
(Tvg/hfg) (dT/dP)
0.149
0.125 0.14 10.7
0.107 0.22 51.4
0.094 0.05 -88
0.084 0.04 -110
0.075 0.03 -150
0.069 0.03 -130
0.064 0.03 -113.3
0.059 0.01 -490
0.055 0.01 -450
0.052 0.01 -420
0.049 0.01 -390
0.046 0.00 -
0.044 0.01 -340
0.042 0.01

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DISCUSSION.

According to the graph and calculation, the temperature of a saturated steam is directly
proportional to the pressure in equilibrium with water. The percentage error on the
experiment was found to be larger for the first two values than for the third and subsequent
values. This occurred as a result of an incorrect pressure gauge reading and other technical
errors. With the exception of a few minor flaws, this experiment can be regarded successful.
To improve the results, the experiment should be carried out at room temperature, with all air
conditioners turned off, as well as by repeating the experiment and collecting the average
data. The experiment could be more accurate if some insulation was kept on the Marcet boiler
to decrease heat loss.

It is vital to remove air from the boiler because it could reduce the precision of the testing
results. The error percentage ranged from 0.3% to 44%. Error sources include measurement
or reading accuracy, room temperature and pressure, material stability, and calculations.
When a liquid absorbs enough heat energy, it transforms into a vapour. Because the steam is
not allowed to escape, the pressure rises, causing the temperature to rise. Marcet Boiler
applications include water boilers, gasifiers, power plants, and culinary facilities.

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Conclusion

The Marcet boiler is the equipment that we use to investigate the relationship between
pressure and temperature in the saturated liquid phase of water. We began heating water
under continual pressure, just like we did in the laboratory, until it reached boiling point. The
valve was then closed, resulting in a constant volume system. As the temperature rises, the
pressure is forced to rise. And, as a result, researching the direct relationship between
pressure and temperature for water at that point. We see that closing the valve as we approach
boiling point is critical to ensuring that we are now in a constant volume process; otherwise,
pressure would never have increased. Causing the experiment to be useless.

We also notice that we closed the valve precisely when we achieved boiling temperature (95
degrees Celsius at 0.9 bar pressure), maintaining the water in the saturated liquid phase.
We discovered that the relationship between pressure and temperature is directly proportional
after reviewing the results and producing a graph. Errors with specific estimated allowable
percentages cause the gap between theoretical and real numbers. The link between pressure
and temperature is found to be directly proportional in this experiment. When compared to
the theoretical slope, the experimental slope indicates a slight difference due to inaccuracies.

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RECOMMENDATIONS.

To obtain reliable data and results, we should repeat the experiment two to three times in the
hopes of obtaining the most accurate data by taking the average reading from the
experiments. We must also master data collection procedures in order to avoid errors when
reading the data. Furthermore, before performing the experiment, we must learn how to
utilize the equipment to avoid failure. We must also be careful not to repeat the same
mistakes.

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REFERENCES

1. Market Boiler. Sliseshare.net.retrieved 27 Sep 2023 from

https://www.slideshare.net/ShwanSarwan/marcet-boiler

2. Marcet Boiler Lab Report. Scribd.com. Retrieved 28 Sep 2023 from

https://www.scribd.com/doc/51634867/Marcet-Boiler-Lab-Report#scribd

3. Lab2E5 Marcet Boiler. Academia.edu. Retrieved 28 Sep 2023 from

https://www.academia.edu/9474636/Lab2E5_Marcet_Boiler

4. Yunus A. Cengal & Michael A. Boles, “Thermodynamics – An Engineering

Approach,” 3rd Edition, 4th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2002.

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APPENDIX.
Pressure, P Measured Calculated
(bars) Temperature, (℃) Slope, Slope,
dT/dp Tvg/hfg
Gauge Abs. Incr. Decr. Aver. Aver.
(℃) (℃) (℃) (°K)

1.0 1.98 83 114 98.5 371.65 0.149

1.5 2.48 92 119 105.5 378.65 0.14 0.125

2.0 2.98 97 122 109.5 382.65 0.22 0.107

2.5 3.48 101 123 112 385.15 0.05 0.094

3.0 3.98 104 124 114 387.15 0.04 0.084

3.5 4.48 107 124 115.5 388.65 0.03 0.075

4.0 4.98 110 124 117 390.15 0.03 0.069

4.5 5.48 112 125 118.5 391.65 0.03 0.064

5.0 5.98 113 125 119 392.15 0.01 0.059

5.5 6.48 114 125 119.5 392.65 0.01 0.055

6.0 6.98 115 125 120 393.15 0.01 0.052

6.5 7.48 116 125 120.5 393.65 0.01 0.049

7.0 7.98 116 125 120.5 393.65 0.00 0.046

7.5 8.48 117 125 121 394.15 0.01 0.044

8.0 8.98 118 125 121.5 394.65 0.01 0.042

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