EXPERIMENT 4

SATURATED VAPOUR PRESSURE CURVE OF WATER

ON MARCET BOILER

1.0 OBJECTIVES
1. To demonstrate the relationship between the pressure and temperature of
saturated steam in equilibrium.
2. To demonstrate the vapor pressure curve.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Marcet Boiler is a bench top unit designed for the demonstration of the basic principal in
thermodynamics studies which is the boiling phenomenon. Students will be able to study
the relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in equilibrium
with water. The saturation pressure curve can be determined at the pressure within 10
bar (150 lb/in2).

3.0 THEORY
Marcet Boiler has been developed for investigating the relationship between the
pressure and temperature of saturated steam, in equilibrium with water, at all pressures
between atmospheric and 10 bar (abs) (147 lb/in²). 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, 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 behavior, 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.

4.0 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS

Unit construction for Marcet Boiler

4.1 DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

The unit consists of a stainless steel pressure vessel fitted with high pressure immersion
electrical heater. The unit also comes together with a safety relief valve, temperature
and pressure measuring devices. Water feed port is installed to allow water charging. The
unit comes with comes with temperature and pressure transducers so that students will
be able to read the respective values on the digital indicators easily. The water heater is
protected from burnout by setting the maximum operating temperature with a
temperature controller.
 Figure 4.1: Unit Construction for Marcet Boiler

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
5.0 PROCEDURES

1. Perform a quick inspection to ensure that the unit is in proper operating

condition.
2. Connect the unit to the nearest power supply.
3. Open the valves at the feed port and the level sight tube.
4. If the boiler is initially filled with water, open the valves at the level side tube to
check the water level. Make sure that the water level is at about the half of
the boiler’s height. Pour in additional distilled water if necessary. Then, close
the valves.
5. Turn on the power supply switch.
6. The temperature controller is already set to 185.0 °C which is slightly above the
expected boiling point of the water at 8.0 bar (abs).
7. Open the valve at feed port and turn on the heater.
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.
8. Observe the steam temperature rise as the water boils.
9. Allow steam to come out from the valve for about 30 seconds, and then close
the valve. 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.
Warning: Do not touch the hot components of the unit. Be extremely careful
when handling liquid at high temperature.
10. Record the absolute pressure and temperature when the water start boiling
at 1.0 bar and continue the readings until the pressure reaches 8.0 bar (abs).
Warning: Never open the valve when the boiler is heated as pressurized steam
can cause severe injury.
11. Then, turn off the heater and the steam temperature and pressure will begin
to drop. Allow the boiler to cool down to room temperature.
Warning: Do not open the valve at the water inlet port as it is highly pressurized
at high temperature.
12. Record the steam temperature and pressure readings when the boiler is
cooled.
 13. After finished the experiment and let the water cool below 100oC and turn off
the main switch.

6.0 RESULT
1. Record the data by using the table in Appendix 6A.
2. Plot the graph of temperature, T, against absolute pressure, P.
3. Record the data by using the table in Appendix 6B.
4. Plot the graph of (dT/dP)sat against Pressure and TVfg/hfg against Pressure on a
same graph.
𝑻(𝑽𝒇 − 𝑽𝒈 )
(𝒅𝑻/𝒅𝑷)𝒔𝒂𝒕 =
𝒉𝒇 − 𝒉𝒈

And 𝒉𝒇 + 𝒉𝒇𝒈 = 𝒉𝒈
Hence, 𝒉𝒇𝒈 = 𝒉𝒈 − 𝒉𝒇
𝑻(𝑽𝒇 − 𝑽𝒈 ) 𝑻𝒗𝒈
(𝒅𝑻/𝒅𝑷)𝒔𝒂𝒕 = =
𝒉𝒇𝒈 𝒉𝒇𝒈

As 𝑽𝒈 ≫ 𝑽𝒇

In which
Vf = specific volume of saturated liquid.
Vg = specific volume of saturated vapour.
hf = enthalpy of saturated liquid.
hg = enthalpy of saturated vapour.
hfg = latent heat of vaporization. (See Appendix 6C)
7.0 DISCUSSION
1. Discuss the finding of the graphs and results.
2. Why is it necessary to remove air from the boiler at the beginning of the
experiment?
3. Compare the graph plotted from experiment data to that of the calculated
data.
4. Discuss any discrepancy and sources of error of the experiment.
5. Discuss the liquid and vapor behavior observed through the experiment and
list some examples of its industrial applications.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the experimental procedure done and the results taken draw some
conclusions to this experiment.

APPENDIX 4
Pressure, P (bar) Temperature (°C) Measured Calculated
Increase Decrease Average Average Slope, Slope,
Gauge Absolute dT/dP Tvg/hfg
(°C) (°C) (°C) (°K)
APPENDIX 5 - STEAM TABLE OF WATER