How to Determine the Heat Content of Diesel Fuel

Use aluminum cans as part of your calorimeter set up.

Heat is a form of energy. Learning how much heat a fuel is capable of giving off is a way of determining how much energy that fuel possesses. As fuel prices rise, so does interest in alternative sources of fuel. One common alternative fuel is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel made from vegetable oil in lieu of petroleum. People who make their own biodiesel often have a need to determine exactly how much energy their homemade fuel possesses. The easiest method of doing this is with a homemade calorimeter, which will determine its heat content.

Things You'll Need

• 2 empty aluminum soda cans
• Ring stand (with clamp)
• Scissors
• Long lighter
• Thermometer marked in degrees celsius
• Graduated cylinder measuring milliliters
• Fire extinguisher
• Gram scales

Instructions

1. Cut one of the aluminum cans in half with the scissors. This will serve as the fuel reservoir. Attach the other can to the ring stand by means of its clamp. Adjust the height of the ring so that the bottom of the aluminum can it holds is close to but not touching the top of the reservoir.

2. Measure out 100 milliliters of water using the graduated cylinder. Weigh the empty can held by the ring stand. Pour the water into the can held by the ring stand. Measure the weight of the can with the water in it. Take the temperature of the water in the can using the thermometer. Record all your measurements. Replace the can in the stand.

3. Measure 50 milliliters of diesel fuel using the graduated cylinder. Weigh the reservoir. Pour the diesel fuel into the reservoir. Weigh the two together. Record your measurements. Place the reservoir back under the can in the stand.

4. Ignite the diesel fuel with the lighter. Allow it to completely burn away. Measure the temperature of the water above it using the thermometer. Subtract the original temperature of the water from this number. Multiply the weight of the water in grams by the change in temperature the water experienced. The result is the number of calories of heat the water absorbed. Divide this by 50 and you have the number of calories per milliliter your diesel fuel has.

References

• The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation: The Heat Content of Nuts and Snack Foods
• Penn State University: Calorimetry of Fuels and the Use of Energy To Do Work
• Monmouth College: Heat and Temperature

Resources

• Biology Cabinet: Thermal Energy and Heat