Mutah University

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering

Heat Transfer & Thermodynamics Lab 0404423

A Report About Mercet Boiler

Experiment no. 2

Instructor: Eng. Madallah Al Tarawneh

Student Name Student Number

Arwa Msallam Lassassmeh 120210414019
Rayan Othman Al Masri 120210414078
Ro’a Baker Al Btoush 120210414050
Sarah Muneer Abu Alkhair 120210414081
• Objectives

1- To establish the relationship between the absolute pressure and the

temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium with water across the
specified range (1-8) bar.
ⅆT
2- To compare the measured slope ( ) with corresponding values
ⅆP SAT
derived from the steam tables.

• Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the relationship between

the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium.
Additionally, it aimed to illustrate the vapor pressure curve. The Marcet
Boiler was employed for the investigation.

As the pressure increases, the temperature also rises, establishing a

directly proportional relationship between pressure and temperature. The
derived formulas and experimental data were used to calculate the slope.
ⅆT
The measured value of was then compared with values from the steam
ⅆP
table. Ideally, the measured values should closely align with the
theoretical predictions. However, discrepancies were observed at certain
points, which may be attributed to experimental errors.
• Theory

Thermodynamics examines the variations in the properties of fluids.

When energy is supplied to water, the molecular activity intensifies,
leading to an increased number of molecules escaping from the surface
until an equilibrium state is established. This equilibrium is governed by
the pressure between the water surface and the steam. The lower the
pressure, the more easily molecules can escape the surface, requiring less
energy to reach the equilibrium state (boiling point).

The temperature at which equilibrium occurs for a given pressure is

referred to as the saturated temperature, while the pressure at which
equilibrium occurs at a specific temperature is known as the saturated
pressure.

The Marcet Boiler is employed to explore the relationship between the

pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium with water
across a range of temperatures, from atmospheric pressure up to 7 bars.
ⅆT
The experimentally measured slope, , derived from the data, can be
ⅆP
compared with the theoretical value calculated using the steam table.
 For a pure substance existing as a mixture of two phases, the Clapeyron
equation describes the relationship between pressure, heat, and volume
change during a phase transition, provided the two phases are in
equilibrium.

The Clapeyron relationship:

ⅆT T(Vf − Vg )
( ) =
ⅆP sat (hf − hg )

Since vg is very much greater than vf then:

ⅆT T • vg
( ) =
ⅆP sat hfg

- vf : specific volume of water

- vg : specific volume of steam
- hf : enthalpy of water
- hg : enthalpy of steam
- hfg : latent heat of vaporization
• Apparatus

The Marcet Boiler is constructed with a rigid frame housing an insulated

stainless-steel pressure vessel, which is equipped with a high-pressure
immersion electrical heater.

The unit is also outfitted with a safety relief valve, as well as temperature
and pressure measurement devices. A water feed port allows for easy
water charging, and temperature and pressure transducers are integrated
to enable students to conveniently monitor the corresponding values on
digital indicators. To protect the heater from damage, a temperature
controller is used to set a maximum operating temperature. The heater has
a capacity of 2 kW.
• Procedure

1- Fill the vessel with water until it reaches the same level as the cock’s.
this allows the steam to flow freely in the left space preventing the
accumulation of pressure inside the boiler.
2- Turn on the electrical heater and open the cock, wait till the water boils.
As the temperature increases, more steam is generated. The steam
expels the air out of the boiler through the cock.
3- Observe the temperature until it remain constat. The constant values of
temperature and pressure are assigned as the boiling point of water. This
boiling point is considered at atmospheric pressure due to leaving the
cock open to the atmospheric.
4- Close the cock, record the increasing temperatures and the
corresponding pressure values from 1 bar to 7 bar.
5- Turn off the heater, record the decreasing temperatures and the
corresponding pressure values from 7 bar to 1 bar.
 • Data

Steam Temperatures
Gauge Barometric Absolute Increasing Decreasing Mean Mean
Pressure Pressure Pressure Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature
(°C) (°C) (°C) (K)
0 1 1 92 105 98.5 371.65
1 1 2 118 120.6 119.3 392.45
2 1 3 124 133.9 128.95 402.1
3 1 4 133 143.9 138.45 411.6
4 1 5 143 150 146.5 419.65
5 1 6 151 158 154.5 427.65
6 1 7 158 161 159.5 432.65
7 1 8 163 163 163 436.15

All pressure values are in (bar).

- The following relations were used to fill the tabulated data above:

PAbs = PGauge − Patm

Tincreasing + Tⅆecreasing
Tmean =
2

K = °C + 273.15
 ⅆT
- Measured slope
ⅆP

- The following relations were used to fill the tabulated data below:

ⅆPcurrent = PAbs current − PAbs previous

1 bar = 100 kPa

ⅆTcurrent = Tmean current − Tmean previous

𝐝𝐓
Absolute Pressure (bar) dT (K) dP (kPa) (𝐊/𝐤𝐏𝐚)
𝐝𝐏
1 20.8 100 0.208
2 9.65 100 0.0965
3 9.5 100 0.095
4 8.05 100 0.0805
5 8 100 0.08
6 5 100 0.05
7 3.5 100 0.035
- Calculated slope

Temperature ( K ) vg (m3) hfg ( kJ/kg)

372.75 1.694 2258
393.35 0.8856 2208
406.65 0.6057 2164
416.75 0.4623 2134
424.95 0.3748 2109
431.95 0.3156 2087
438.15 0.2728 2067
443.55 0.2403 2048
448.55 0.2149 2031
452.25 0.1944 2015
457.25 0.1774 2000
461.15 0.1632 1986
464.75 0.1512 1972
468.15 0.1408 1960
471.45 0.1317 1947
474.55 0.1237 1935
477.45 0.1167 1923
480.25 0.1104 1912
483.05 0.1047 1901
485.55 0.9957 1890

Steam Table.

ⅆT Tmean vg
=
ⅆP hfg
 - The data in this table is constructed by utilizing the steam table data and
the relations in the previous page.

𝐝𝐓 𝐓𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐯𝐠
Absolute 3 = (𝐊/𝐤𝐏𝐚)
Tmean (K) vg (m ) hfg ( kJ/kg) 𝐝𝐏 𝐡𝐟𝐠
Pressure (bar)

1 392.45 0.9209 2210.18 0.1635

2 402.1 0.7008 2179.05 0.1293
3 411.6 0.5553 2153.46 0.1061
4 419.65 0.4313 2125.15 0.0851
5 427.65 0.3519 2100.51 0.0716
6 432.65 0.3107 2084.74 0.0644
7 436.15 0.2865 2073.45 0.0602

1 kJ = 1kPa • m³

- Error

measureⅆ − calculateⅆ
error % = │ │ × 100%
measureⅆ

Absolute Pressure (bar) Error%

1 21.39
2 33.98
3 11.68
4 5.71
5 10.5
6 28.8
7 72
• Results

- The relationship between absolute pressure and mean temperature of

saturated steam in equilibrium with water over the range (1-8) bar.

Absolute Pressure (bar) Mean Temperature (K)

1 371.65
2 392.45
3 402.1
4 411.6
5 419.65
6 427.65
7 432.65
8 436.15

Relationship Between PAbs & T mean

440
430
Mean Temperature (K)

420
410
400
390
380
370
360
0 2 4 6 8 10
Absolute Pressure (bar)
 ⅆT
- Compare the measured values of the slope ( ) with corresponding
ⅆP SAT
values calculated from the steam tables.

𝐝𝐓 𝐝𝐓 𝐓𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐯𝐠
Absolute Pressure (bar) (𝐊/𝐤𝐏𝐚) = (𝐊/𝐤𝐏𝐚)
𝐝𝐏 𝐝𝐏 𝐡𝐟𝐠

1 0.208 0.1635
2 0.0965 0.1293
3 0.095 0.1061
4 0.0805 0.0851
5 0.08 0.0716
6 0.05 0.0644
7 0.035 0.0602

Comparison between Measured & Calculated

Slope
Measured Calculated

0.25

0.2
Slope (K/kPa)

0.15

0.1

0.05

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Absolute Pressure (bar)
• Analysis

Based on the graphs, the relationship between pressure and temperature is

directly proportional while there is a slight discrepancy between the
measured slope and the calculated slope.

The percentage of error ranged from 5%to 72% due to the following:

1- Measurement Inaccuracies: Errors in the readings from the pressure

gauge and thermometer can lead to discrepancies in the recorded
values. Calibration of instruments before the experiment is essential
for accurate data.
2- Heat Loss: Heat loss to the environment can occur through the boiler
walls, affecting the temperature readings and leading to lower
observed pressures and temperatures than expected.
3- Non-Uniform Heating: If the heating source does not distribute heat
evenly, some parts of the water may reach a boiling temperature
before others, resulting in inconsistent measurements.
4- Air Leaks: Any leaks in the boiler’s sealing can introduce air, altering
the pressure readings and affecting the boiling point of water.
5- Water Purity: The presence of impurities in the water can change its
boiling point and affect the overall experiment. Using distilled water
minimizes this error.
6- Timing of Measurements: Delays in taking measurements can result in
inaccuracies, especially during rapid changes in temperature and
pressure.

Applications of Marcet Boiler include water boiler, gasifier, power

plant and cooking utilities.

• Conclusion

The experiment revealed a direct proportionality between pressure and

temperature. It also detected a small deviation between the measured
slope and the calculated slope.