T10:

MARCET
BOILER

THEORY:
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics, which deals with the energy, and work of a
system. Thermodynamics deals only with the large-scale response of a system that we
can observe and measure in experiments. Small-scale gas interactions are described by
the kinetic theory of gasses, which is a compliment to thermodynamics.
An ideal gas can be characterized by three state variables: absolute pressure (P), volume
(V), and absolute temperature (T). The relationship between them may be deduced
from kinetic theory and is called the Ideal Gas law. The ideal gas law was originally
determined empirically and is simply.
PV=nRT
Where,
P = Absolute pressure
V = Volume
n = Amount of substance (moles)
R = Ideal gas constant
T = Absolute temperature (K)
If a gas behaves exactly as the ideal gas laws would predict it to behave in terms of
volume, pressure, moles, and temperature, then the gas is said to be an ideal gas. On
the other hand, the gas deviates from Ideal Gas behaviour, then the gas is said to be
acting like a "real gas".
When energy increases within water, the increasing of activities among the molecules
enables the increase in the number of molecule escape from the surface until an
equilibrium state is reached. The state of equilibrium depends on the pressure between
the water surface and steam. At lower pressure, the molecules become easier leaving
the water surface while less energy required in achieving the state of equilibrium

(boiling point). The temperature where equilibrium occurs at a given pressure level is
called saturated temperature.
The measured value of the slope of the graph (dT/dP) SAT obtained from the practical
results can be compared with corresponding values calculated from the data in steam
tables. Clausius-Clapeyron states:

And hf + hfg = hg
Hence, hfg = hg - hf

OBJECTIVE:
To study the fundamental pressure-temperature relationship of saturated steam in
equilibrium by:
1. Demonstrating the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated
steam in equilibrium, and
2. Demonstrating the vapour pressure curve

APPARATUS:
Marcet Boiler Apparatus

1. Pressure Transducer

6.

Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge

2. Temperature Controller/Indicator

7.

Temperature Sensor

3. Pressure Indicator

8.

Pressure Relief Valve

4. Control Panel

9.

Water Inlet Port & Valve

5. Bench

10. Heater
4

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS / SHUT-DOWN PROCEDURES:

1. The unit must be operated under the supervision of trained personnel.
2. All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and
understood before attempting to operate the unit.
3. Do not open the valves on the level sight tube when the vessel is in operation. The
sight tube is not design to withstand high pressure and high temperature.
4. Use only distilled water for the test to prolong the boilers life.
5. It is not necessary to drain the water from the boiler as there is no rusting component
in the boiler. In case of draining is necessary, incline the bench to a side and open the
heater flange slowly. Be extremely careful when draining; never allow water to contact
with the heater terminals.
6. Always check and rectify any leaks.
7. Always make sure that the boiler vessel is filled with sufficient water to cover the
heater element. Water level at half of the boilers height is sufficient to cover the
heating element.
8. Do not touch the hot components of the unit. Be extremely careful when handling
liquid at high temperature.
9. Restore the system to operating conditions after any repair job. Replace a new seal
if necessary.
10. The unit requires no major maintenance. To prevent unnecessary damage to the
unit, always consult the manufacturer for any maintenance or repair works.
Maintenance and repair must be done by well-trained technician. Consult the
manufacturer for any replacement parts.

PROCEDURES:
1. If the boiler is initially filled with water, the valves are opened at the level side tube
to check the water level. Additional distilled water is poured in if necessary. Then, the
valves are closed.
2. The temperature controller is set to 185.0 C which is slightly above the expected
boiling point of the water at 10.0 bar (abs).
3. The valve at feed port is opened and the heater is turned on.

Important:
Always make sure that the valves at the level sight tube are closed before turning on
the heater as the sight tube is not designed to withstand high pressure and temperature.
4. The steam temperature rise is observed as the water boils.
5. Steam is allowed to come out from the valve for about 30 seconds, and then the valve
is closed. This step is important to remove air from the boiler as the accuracy of the
experimental results will be significantly affected when air is present.
6. The steam temperature and pressure when the boiler is heated until the steam
pressure reaches 10.0 bar (abs) are recorded.

Warning!
Never open the valve when the boiler is heated as pressurized steam can cause severe
injury.
7. Then, the heater is turned off and the steam temperature and pressure will begin to
drop. The boiler is allowed cool down to room temperature.
8. The steam temperatures are recorded at different pressure readings when the boiler
is heated and cooled.

EXPERIMENTAL SHEET:
Temperature, T (oC)

Pressure, P (bar)
Increase

Decrease

Average,

Average,

Measured

Calculated

Slope,

Slope,

dT/dP

Tvg/hfg

Gauge

Absolute

(oC)

(oC)

Tavg (oC)

Tavg (K)

0.0

1.0

98.1

102.6

100.35

373.35

0.1

1.1

100.6

105.7

103.15

376.15

0.286

0.261

0.2

1.2

103.0

108.8

105.90

378.90

0.282

0.234

0.3

1.3

105.3

111.9

108.60

381.60

0.275

0.217

0.4

1.4

107.4

114.3

110.85

383.85

0.229

0.203

0.5

1.5

109.5

116.8

113.15

386.15

0.235

0.191

0.6

1.6

111.4

118.7

115.05

388.05

0.194

0.181

0.7

1.7

113.2

120.8

117.00

390.00

0.199

0.173

0.8

1.8

115.0

123.0

119.00

392.00

0.204

0.163

0.9

1.9

116.7

125.0

120.85

393.85

0.189

0.156

1.0

2.0

118.2

126.8

122.50

395.50

0.168

0.149

1.1

2.1

119.8

128.5

124.15

397.15

0.168

0.143

1.2

2.2

121.3

129.9

125.60

398.60

0.148

0.138

1.3

2.3

122.7

131.5

127.10

400.10

0.153

0.133

1.4

2.4

124.1

133.0

128.55

401.55

0.148

0.128

1.5

2.5

125.4

134.4

129.90

402.90

0.138

0.124

1.6

2.6

126.7

135.5

131.10

404.10

0.122

0.121

1.7

2.7

128.0

136.9

132.45

405.45

0.138

0.117

1.8

2.8

129.2

138.2

133.70

406.70

0.127

0.113

1.9

2.9

130.4

139.2

134.80

407.80

0.112

0.111

2.0

3.0

131.5

140.3

135.90

408.90

0.112

0.108

2.1

3.1

132.6

141.5

137.05

410.05

0.117

0.105

2.2

3.2

133.7

142.6

138.15

411.15

0.112

0.102

2.3

3.3

134.8

143.6

139.20

412.20

0.107

0.100

2.4

3.4

135.8

144.6

140.20

413.20

0.102

0.098

2.5

3.5

136.8

145.3

141.05

414.05

0.087

0.096

2.6

3.6

137.8

146.3

142.02

415.02

0.099

0.094

2.7

3.7

138.8

147.4

143.10

416.10

0.111

0.092

2.8

3.8

139.8

148.3

144.05

417.05

0.097

0.090

2.9

3.9

140.7

149.1

144.90

417.90

0.087

0.088

3.0

4.0

141.6

150.0

145.80

418.80

0.092

0.086

3.1

4.1

142.4

150.8

146.60

419.60

0.082

0.085

3.2

4.2

143.3

151.7

147.50

420.50

0.092

0.083

3.3

4.3

144.1

152.4

148.25

421.25

0.076

0.082

3.4

4.4

145.0

153.0

149.00

422.00

0.076

0.080

3.5

4.5

145.9

153.9

149.90

422.90

0.092

0.079

3.6

4.6

146.6

154.4

150.50

423.50

0.061

0.078

3.7

4.7

147.5

154.8

151.15

424.15

0.066

0.077

3.8

4.8

148.2

155.0

151.60

424.60

0.046

0.076

3.9

4.9

149.0

155.0

152.00

425.00

0.041

0.075

4.0

5.0

149.8

155.0

152.40

425.40

0.041

0.075

4.1

5.1

150.5

155.4

152.95

425.95

0.056

0.074

4.2

5.2

151.3

155.9

153.60

426.60

0.066

0.073

4.3

5.3

151.9

156.5

154.20

427.20

0.061

0.072

4.4

5.4

152.7

157.1

154.90

427.90

0.071

0.071

4.5

5.5

153.4

157.7

155.55

428.55

0.066

0.070

4.6

5.6

154.1

158.3

156.20

429.20

0.066

0.069

4.7

5.7

154.7

158.8

156.75

429.75

0.056

0.068

4.8

5.8

155.4

159.3

157.35

430.35

0.061

0.067

4.9

5.9

156.1

159.9

158.00

431.00

0.066

0.067

5.0

6.0

156.7

160.7

158.70

431.70

0.071

0.066

5.1

6.1

157.4

161.2

159.30

432.30

0.061

0.065

5.2

6.2

158.0

161.7

159.85

432.85

0.056

0.064

5.3

6.3

158.6

162.1

160.35

433.35

0.051

0.063

5.4

6.4

159.2

162.6

160.90

433.90

0.056

0.063

5.5

6.5

159.9

162.9

161.40

434.40

0.051

0.062

5.6

6.6

160.5

163.2

161.85

434.85

0.046

0.062

5.7

6.7

161.1

163.5

162.30

435.30

0.046

0.061

5.8

6.8

161.6

163.8

162.70

435.70

0.041

0.061

5.9

6.9

162.3

164.2

163.25

436.25

0.056

0.060

6.0

7.0

162.8

164.7

163.75

436.75

0.051

0.059

6.1

7.1

163.4

165.0

164.20

437.20

0.046

0.059

6.2

7.2

163.9

165.5

164.70

437.70

0.051

0.058

6.3

7.3

164.5

166.0

165.25

438.25

0.056

0.058

6.4

7.4

165.0

166.5

165.75

438.75

0.051

0.057

6.5

7.5

165.6

167.0

166.30

439.30

0.056

0.056

6.6

7.6

166.1

167.5

166.80

439.80

0.051

0.056

6.7

7.7

166.6

168.0

167.30

440.30

0.051

0.055

6.8

7.8

167.1

168.5

167.80

440.80

0.051

0.055

6.9

7.9

167.7

169.0

168.35

441.35

0.056

0.054

7.0

8.0

168.2

169.5

168.85

441.85

0.051

0.054

7.1

8.1

168.8

170.0

169.40

442.40

0.056

0.053

7.2

8.2

169.3

170.4

169.85

442.85

0.046

0.053

7.3

8.3

169.8

170.8

170.30

443.30

0.046

0.052

7.4

8.4

170.3

171.2

170.75

443.75

0.046

0.052

7.5

8.5

170.8

171.6

171.20

444.20

0.046

0.051

7.6

8.6

171.2

172.0

171.60

444.60

0.041

0.051

7.7

8.7

171.7

172.6

172.15

445.15

0.056

0.051

7.8

8.8

172.2

173.0

172.60

445.60

0.046

0.050

7.9

8.9

172.7

173.5

173.10

446.10

0.051

0.050

8.0

9.0

173.1

174.0

173.55

446.55

0.046

0.049

8.1

9.1

173.6

174.5

174.05

447.05

0.051

0.049

8.2

9.2

174.0

175.0

174.50

447.50

0.046

0.048

8.3

9.3

174.5

175.5

175.00

448.00

0.051

0.048

8.4

9.4

175.0

176.1

175.55

448.55

0.056

0.047

8.5

9.5

175.4

176.7

176.05

449.05

0.051

0.047

8.6

9.6

175.8

177.2

176.50

449.50

0.046

0.047

8.7

9.7

176.3

177.5

176.90

449.90

0.041

0.046

8.8

9.8

176.8

177.7

177.25

450.25

0.036

0.046

8.9

9.9

177.2

177.9

177.55

450.55

0.031

0.046

9.0

10.0

177.6

177.9

177.75

450.75

0.020

0.046

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
For Measured Slope, dT/dP,
Pabs = Pgauge + Patm
At Tavg = 378.90 K,
Pabs = (0.2 x 98.05) + (1.01 x 100)
Pabs = 120.61 kPa
At Tavg = 381.60 K,
Pabs = (0.3 x 98.05) + (1.01 x 100)
Pabs = 130.42 kPa
dP = (130.42 120.61) kPa
dP = 9.81 kPa
dT = (381.60 378.90) K
dT = 2.7 K
(dT/dP) = 2.7 K/9.81 kPa
(dT/dP) = 0.275

10

For Calculated Slope, Tvg/hfg

From Table A-4, we obtain the values by using extrapolation method.
At Tavg = 103.15oC [376.15 K],
105103.15
105100

2243.1
2243.12256.4

x = hfg = 2248.021 kJ/kg

105103.15
105100

1.4186
1.41861.6720

y = vg = 1.51236 m3/kg

11

Graph of Average Temperature against Absolute

Pressure
Average Temperature (K)

y = 0.0754x + 391.02

500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

Absolute Pressure (kPa)

Graph of dT/dP against P and Tvg/hfg against P

0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
0

200

400

600

Pressure (kPa)

12

800

1000

DISCUSSIONS
1. Mohammad Iskandar Zulkarnain b. Roslan (42188)
When the water in Marcet boiler is heated, it will gain energy in form of heat,
which causes the temperature of the water to increase. Since the water is in a
control volume (Marcet boiler), the pressure inside Marcet boiler increases also,
which obeys the ideal gas equation of PV = nRT. The pressure of water vapour
increases as a result.
From the graph of average temperature against absolute pressure, it can be seen
that the slope of the graph is decreasing as the pressure is increasing. This shows
that at one point, the increasing pressure will not influence the temperature
raise.
The second graph, which define both dT/dP against P and Tvg/hfg against P lines
shows the inversely proportional graph pattern. Although the dT/dP against P
graph have some spikes shape on it, but the overall pattern shows the decreasing
value of dT/dP against P. Meanwhile, the Tvg/hfg against P graph is smoother
compared to dt/dP against P graph. Generally, dT/dP against P line is slightly
higher than Tvg/hfg against P line.

2. Hillary Assan anak Liam (41424)

Based on the second graph, it shows that graph of dT/dP vs P is higher than the
graph of Tvg/hfg vs P. Meanwhile, Average Temperature is increasing when the
Absolute Pressure is increasing. However, there might be some errors that occur
during our experiment that may affect our result. The first error might be the
machine error. This can happen especially when the machine is used by many
groups of students in one day follow by not doing any inspection on the machine
after it being used. Second error may be the human error by not following the
procedures while using the machine that may lead to damage on the machine.
Since the reading that we get is just by observing the number that is displayed
on the machines screen, so the parallax error is not occur.
13

3. Phillip Mapang anak Angking (43732)

Based on table , we can compared the values of measured Slope which represent
the theoretical values and calculated slope which represent experiment values,
there are slightly differences between the values . Lets take an example, based
on result for pressure at 0.1 ( gauge ) :
Measured slope = 0.235
Calculated Slope = 0.191
Percentage error ,% = ( 0.235 - 0.191) /0.235 x 100%
= 18.7234 %
Through this calculation we can conclude that some error had been make during
experiment conduct. There are few error that may disturbed the result of
experiment such as not all the air had been removed during experiment. It will
affected the results when air is present, thus, to overcome this condition we
must allowed steam to come out more than 30 second so that, mostly air (steam)
are successfully removed from valve.
Besides, the valve at the level sight tube did not closed tightly before turning
on the heater. Thus small amount of pressure for the experiment values will be
lower. So, to overcome this situation we must make sure or even double check
the valve before turning on the heater.

14

4. Terence Empurai anak Andap (44422)

Based on the graph (Measured Slope, dT/dP and Calculated Slope, Tvg/hfg) both
of them are inversely proportional to the pressure. Whereas, temperature of the
saturated steam (k) is directly proportional to the pressure. As the temperature
inside the Marcet Boiler increases the pressure also increases. When the
experiment is conducted there might be some error occur during the experiment.
One of it is human error which when we are not conducted the experiment
according to the procedure as this will bring danger to the student if one the
regulation or procedure did not being taken serious. To overcome this each
student must be really understand the procedure as they conduct the experiment
to prevent unwanted accident because we are dealing with machine that involve
high pressure and extremely hot.

5. Dennis Yii anak Keding (44904)

It can be seen from the graph of dT/dP against P and Tvg/hfg lines, the lines
show inversely proportional in shape. The difference between these values are
quite significant, that the percentage errors are obvious. From the graph of
temperature against pressure, the slope of the graph is decreasing. This proves
that at increasing pressure, the temperature will decrease at a certain point.

15

CONCLUSION
The values of the measured slope, dT/dP and the calculated slope, Tvg/hfg are not the
same, due to some errors done during the experiment. At a point, the increasing
pressure will not alter the temperature of the water in Marcet boiler.

16

APPENDIX

Marcet Boiler

17

REFERENCES
1) Cengel, Y.A., Boles, M. A. (2011). Thermodynamics: An Engineering
Approach (Seventh Edition in SI Units). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
2) http://www.academia.edu/7625789/Marcet_Boiler
3) http://www.studymode.com/essays/Lab-3-Marcet-Boiler-1855756.html
4) https://www.scribd.com/doc/93324504/Marcet-Boiler

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