DETERMINATION OF FLASH POINT OF A VOLATILE MATERIAL

DETERMINATION OF FLASH POINT OF A VOLATILE MATERIAL

Aim: to determine the flash point of a volatile material.

 
Apparatus: Flash point apparatus, measuring cylinder.
 
Sample: volatile material
 
Significant: To know the minimum temperature at which the vapours of a volatile material will forms ignition when given ignition source.
 
Theory/Definition:
The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which the vapour of a liquid will form ignition with air when subjected to an ignition source. Flash point may sometimes be confused with the Auto Ignition Temperature, which is the minimum temperature at which the vapour of a liquid will ignite spontaneously with air without an ignition source.
 
Fire Point: Is the minimum temperature at which vapours of a material will keep burning after being ignited and the ignition source removed. The fire point has a higher value than the flash point, because at the fire point more vapour may be produced rapidly enough to sustain combustion. 
 
Instructional Procedure for the Operational Of Flash Point Apparatus 
1.     Fill the sample compartment (flash point cup) with the sample.
2.     Gently lower the sample compartment into the lid and cover it.
3.     Switch on the flash point apparatus after connecting to a source or power.
4.     Observe the digital display on the screen of the apparatus.
5.     Carefully turn the knob to serial number 4 “After parameters”.
6.     Adjust the apparatus to required test parameter by pressing the button on the right hand side of         the apparatus to display expected flash point.
7.     Press and hold left hand side button while adjusting the knob to required expected flash                 point temperature e.g. kerosene with the expected flash point between 40^0c to 55^0c
8.     Press the right hand side button to return the digital display to restart
9.     Turn the knob to serial number 2 “ Run test”
10.   Press the right hand side of the button to edit the sample.
11.   press and hold the left hand side button while turning the knob to edit or name the sample.
12.   Double press the right hand side button to start the test.
13.   Observe the apparatus while the test is running.
14.   Finally record the temperature at which the sample flashed as shown on the screen as the 
       expected flash point value.
15.  Allowed the apparatus to cool down to 2 hours at the end of the test before lifting the pod and 
        removing the cup

16.  Switch off the apparatus and clean.

Note: if the sample flashed below the expected flash point of the product, it means that the sample contains more of volatile liquid, and if the sample flashed above the expected flash point of the product it means that the samples contains more of heavier liquid(more hydrocarbon).