Parr Instrument 1104 - Manual (Page 3)

1104 Oxygen Combustion Vessel
w w w . p a r r i n s t . c o m 3
Preface
Scope
These instructions cover the procedures to be fol-
lowed when using a Parr 1104 Oxygen Combustion
Vessel (or bomb) to determine calorific values of
solid or liquid combustible material in a Parr calo-
rimeter. The user should study these instructions
carefully in order to obtain a complete understand-
ing of the capabilities and limitations of an 1104
Oxygen Combustion Vessel, and to be well aware
of the precautions to be observed in its operation.
Calorimeter operations and the operation of various
oxygen vessel accessories are described in separate
instruction manuals listed below, copies of which
are available upon request.
Related Instructions
The following Parr publications are also included to
further your understanding of this instrument and
its component parts:
No. Description
201M Limited Warranty
205M Operating Instructions for the 1108 Oxy-
gen Combustion Vessel
207M Analytical Methods for Oxygen Bombs
230M Safety Precautions to be observed when
operating Pressure Reaction Equipment
483M Introduction to Bomb Calorimetry
Purpose
The Parr 1104 Oxygen Combustion Vessel is de-
signed for combustion tests of explosives and other
fast burning, high-energy samples that burn with
extreme violence. The bomb is also recommended
for use with materials whose combustion character-
istics are unknown or unpredictable. These instruc-
tions will provide the user with guidelines for the
safe operation and maintenance of the vessel. These
instructions must be supplemented with manual
205M, Operating Instructions for the 1108 Oxygen
Combustion Vessel, which contains information con-
cerning sample preparation and other application
information relevant to both vessel types.
Description
The 1104 Oxygen Combustion Vessel is a heavy-
walled, 240 mL vessel. It will handle samples liberat-
ing up to 12,000 calories using an oxygen charging
pressure up to 45 atm (665 psig). The sample is
contained in a combustion cage that is designed
to muffle the shock forces produced by explosive
samples. The capsule is anchored to the cage so the
explosion will not dislodge it.
Accessories and Utilities
• A minimum 99.5% purity oxygen source
providing 420 psig (3 Mpa) of pressure to the
bomb is required.
• To ignite the sample, 10 cm of NiCr fuse wire
(P/N 45C10) per test is needed.
Sample Preparation
Samples to be burned in the 1104 Oxygen Combus-
tion Vessel are held in a thick-walled capsule (P/N
217A) within a heavy combustion cage that serves
to muffle the shock forces produced by high-energy
samples. While the combustion cage is essential
for fast burning, high-energy samples, it may not
be necessary to use the cage when testing samples
which do not burn violently. In some cases it may be
easier to secure complete combustion by substitut-
ing a lighter capsule (P/N 43AS) and omitting the
combustion cage. This substitution is described in
the Operation section of these instructions.
Manual 205M, Operating Instructions for the 1108
Oxygen Combustion Vessel, contains valuable infor-
mation concerning sample preparation. As a basic
rule, the 1104 Oxygen Combustion Vessel should
never be charged with a sample that will liberate
more than 12,000 calories when burned in oxygen.
Additionally, the oxygen charging pressure should
never exceed 45 atm (665 psig). Samples of smoke-
less powder weighing up to 4 grams have been
burned in this bomb, but the requirements for safe
operation vary so widely with different materials
that it is difficult to make general statements regard-
ing allowable sample size. It is strongly recommend-
ed that the user make preliminary combustions with
small samples, then increase the sample size and
vary the oxygen pressure carefully to determine the
optimum charge.
Note: Although the high-strength of the bomb
is reassuring when working with fast burning or
explosive materials, the operator must ALWAYS
remember that he is dealing with extreme pres-
sure and shock forces that require the exercise
of good judgment at all times.