The application of thermal analysis and conduction calorimetry on the formation and hydration of calcium aluminoferrite

DTA was used to study the formation of calcium aluminoferrite from CaO, Al₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃ (proportion=2 x 1–x),x=0-3/4) and the effects of C4A₃ C₁₁ A₇·CacF₂, -C₂S and MgO on that process. The fusion of CF and the eutectic of CaO-Fe₂O₃, CA-C₁₂A₇, CA-C₃A, C₁₂A₇-CA-C₃A and CA-C₂A_xF_(1–x) will be favourable for the formation. The presence of -C₂S and MgO will decrease its formation temperature by an extra eutectic while C₄A₃ . and C₁₁A₇·CaF₂ will not.The early heat evolution during the hydration of C₂A_xF_(1–x) were measured by the conduction calorimeter made by ourselves and the products after 1 day hydration were examined by TG and DTA. The results revealed that the peak of heat evolution rise, the amount of the hydrating product iron hydrate gel decreases, CAH₁₀ and C₃(A, F)H₆ increase with the increase of the value x. The more MgO (up to 5%) soluted in C₆AF₂, the higher the hydration heat for this solid solution is, when TiO₂ soluted in C₆AF₂ is 2%, the hydration heat for the system reaches the highest.This project is supported by National Natural Science Fundation of China and by the National Science and Technology Developing Fundation in Building Materials Field.     

Adiabatic calorimetry and thermal analysis on acetaminophen

Molar heat capacities of acetaminophen were precisely measured with a small sample precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 330 K. A solid-solid transition at 149.96 K was found from the C_p,m-T curve. The polynomial functions of C_p,.m(J K^-1 mol^-1) vs. T were established on the heat capacity measurements by means of the least square fitting method. Thermal decomposition processes of acetaminophen have been studied by thermogravimetry. And the thermal decomposition kinetics parameters, such as activation energy E, pre-exponential factor A and reaction order n, were calculated by TG-DTG techniques with the Freeman-Carroll method, Kissinger method and Ozawa method. Accordingly the thermal decomposition kinetics equation of acetaminophen is expressed as: dα/dt=2.67·10⁷e^-89630/RT(1-α)^0.23. The process of fusion has been investigated through DSC. The melting point, molar enthalpy and entropy of fusion are to be (441.89±0.04) K, 26.49±0.44 kJ mol^-1 and 59.80±1.01 J K^-1 mol^-1, respectively.     

30 years of research in thermal analysis and calorimetry

The research in thermal analysis and calorimetry, conducted by the author over the period 1964 to 1993, is summarised and concisely reviewed. The major investigations have focussed on thermal analysis studies of coordination compounds, particularly the metal dithiocarbamate complexes. A significant solution calorimetric study of some metal dithiocarbamate complexes has also been undertaken. DSC has been applied to determine the sublimation enthalpies of many metal dithiocarbamate and metal pentane-2,4-dionate complexes and solution calorimetry has been applied to study the thermochemistry of the latter group of complexes. Thermal analysis investigations of several inorganic molten salt systems have been initiated. Thermometric titrimetry has been applied to study metal-macrocyclic ligand systems in aqueous media and particularly those systems of environmental significance. Temperature calibration standards for TMA have been proposed and TMA has been applied to study the mechanical properties of several common inorganic compounds. DTA has been applied to study a wide variety of phenols and has subsequently been applied as an analytical technique to determine the components of solid state phenol mixtures. Thermometric titrimetry has been applied to determine the phenolic content of wines. A comprehensive thermal analysis study of Australian brown coal has been undertaken, involving the DSC determination of coal specific energy, a TG/DTA study of the coal pyrolysis and combustion processes and a TG/DTA and EGA study of the cation catalytic effect on the coal pyrolysis process. Thermal analysis and calorimetric techniques have been extensively publicised and promoted by the publication of specialist reviews, the presentation of symposia review papers and the oral presentation of short courses, particularly in the SE Asian region. This review essentially reveals the diversity of possible application of thermal analysis and calorimetric techniques and the primary significance of thermodynamic data in the fundamental rationalisation of chemical phenomena.     

Square modulated differential thermal analysis

KMnF₃ and DKDP crystals have been studied around their phase transitions using a conduction calorimetry technique where a long periodical square thermal pulse (0.05 K in amplitude) is superposed to a heating or cooling ramp as low as 0.06 K h⁻¹. Specific heat data obtained in the dissipation and relaxation semiperiods of the square pulse become different inside the phase transition interval. The electromotive force developed by the heat fluxmeters at the end of the relaxation semiperiod (underlying signal) is compared with the DTA trace obtained in a second run with the same temperature ramp but without the modulated perturbation. The comparison between the DTA trace and specific heat data obtained in the first run allows us to determine the value of the latent heat and to obtain information about the kinetic of the phase transition.     

Energetic study of residual forest biomass using calorimetry and thermal analysis

Summary The European policy on energy focus on the search for alternative and renewable sources of energy where forest biomass plays a significant role. In this article, calorific values of different kinds of forest residues (leaves, thin branches, barks, etc.) are reported. These values were measured by combustion bomb calorimetry with the objective of understanding, through different risk indices, the behaviour of forest waste in the case of wildfires, and also to study the use of forest residues as raw materials to be used as energy sources. The study was complemented with determination of elemental analysis, flammability using a standard epiradiator, thermodegradation analysis, and different mechanical tests trying to get relationships between thermal behaviour and some physical properties. The study was carried out on Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Pinus pinaster Aiton, because these forest formations have both high economical and ecological interest in Galicia (NW Spain).     

A study on the thermodynamic properties of polyimide BTDA-ODA by adiabatic calorimetry and thermal analysis

Polyimide BTDA-ODA sample was prepared by polycondensation or step-growth polymerization method. Its low temperature heat capacities were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range between 80 and 400 K. No thermal anomaly was found in this temperature range. A DSC experiment was conducted in the temperature region from 373 to 673 K. There was not phase change or decomposition phenomena in this temperature range. However two glass transitions were found at 420.16 and 564.38 K. Corresponding heat capacity increments were 0.068 and 0.824 J g^–1 K^–1, respectively. To study the decomposition characteristics of BTDA-ODA, a TG experiment was carried out and it was found that this polyimide started to decompose at ca 673 K.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combined use of adiabatic calorimetry and heat conduction calorimetry for quantifying propellant cook-off hazards

Recent work performed at DERA (now QinetiQ) has shown how accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) can be used to obtain time to maximum rate curves using larger samples of energetic materials. The use of larger samples reduces the influence of thermal inertia, permitting experimental data to be gathered at temperatures closer to those likely to be encountered during manufacture, transportation or storage of an explosive device. However, in many cases, extrapolation of the time to maximum rate curve will still be necessary. Because of its low detection limit compared to the ARC, heat conduction calorimetry can be used to obtain data points at, or below, the region where an explosive system might exceed its temperature of no return and undergo a thermal explosion.Paired ARC and heat conduction calorimetry experiments have been conducted on some energetic material samples to explore this possibility further. Examples of where both agreement and disagreement are found between the two techniques are reported and the significance of these discussed. Ways in which combining ARC and heat conduction calorimetry experiments can enhance, complement and validate the results obtained from each technique are examined.     

High-temperature thermal analysis study of the reaction between magnesium oxide and silica

The reaction between SiO₂ and MgO at temperatures up to 1500°C was studied using thermal analysis, with X-ray diffraction being used to identify reaction products. The reaction is slow and results in the formation of Mg₂SiO₄ and MgSiO₃, with minor amounts of SiO₂·nH₂O and residual amounts of unreacted SiO₂ and MgO. Complete reaction of the starting materials to form Mg₂SiO₄ can only be achieved by maintaining the mixture at 1500°C for extended periods of time (>1 h).     

Studies on the ageing of a magnesium-potassium nitrate pyrotechnic composition using isothermal heat flow calorimetry and thermal analysis techniques

The ageing behaviour of a pyrotechnic mixture of magnesium and potassium nitrate has been followed at 50 °C and 65% relative humidity by isothermal heat flow calorimetry. Measurements have been carried out with samples in air and in an inert atmosphere. The main reaction product was found to be magnesium hydroxide. This has been determined quantitatively by thermogravimetry and the amount formed correlated with the measured cumulative heat of ageing. The results have been compared with those obtained for magnesium powder studied under the same conditions. In addition the influence of the ageing process on the pyrotechnic reaction has been studied by high temperature differential scanning calorimetry under ignition conditions and modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry.     

The advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect calorimetry

Kleiber's definitions of what constitutes direct and indirect calorimetry are accepted as the beginning of a commentary on the advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect calorimetry in which calorimetry is divided into a number of categories based on the kind of calorimetric measurement. For non-reaction calorimetry such as entropy determinations and differential scanning calorimetry, the only means of measurement is by direct calorimetry. For reaction calorimetry, a preference of direct over indirect calorimetry depends on the accuracy needed and the ability of the experimenter to define the system. The data necessary to correct the observed heat loss in direct calorimetry are often all that are needed to make an indirect calculation of the true heat loss. In general, because they are convenient and inexpensive to use, indirect calorimetric methods are preferable to direct methods. However, when possible, one method can be used to verify the results of the other.     

Pseudo-adiabatic calorimetry

A procedure is described for dealing with the error sources inherently present in any real calorimeter: work of powerP _s input from stirrer and possibly temperature sensor, and heat exchange at a rate ?G(T?T _e ) whereT andT _c are the temperatures of calorimeter and surroundings respectively. The constantsP _s andG are calculated from a period of thermal decay, and afterwards are used to correct the entire run. A calorimeter was designed with high thermal homogeneity and used in a test. The curve of calculated temperature exactly traces the heater energy, even after 5 h, with a standard deviation of about 1 mK. The relative error inC _p is less than 1/1000.     

The thermal analysis of polymers at high pressures

The extension of two techniques of thermal analysis into the region high pressures (50–100 MPa) are discussed. One is the extension of dilatometry (thus becoming pressure-volume-temperature measurements, PVT). This technique has been well established over the past few years. Some results obtained on typical polymer systems are presented and discussed. The second is the extension of the differential thermal analysis (DTA) principle to high pressures, trying to maintain some of the advantages of the DTA technique when compared to the PVT method, such as small sample size and productivity. DTA determinations of the pressure dependence of the melting points of pure metals and polymers are presented and compared with results from the PVT technique. Satisfactory agreement is obtained. The advantages and limitations of our current high-pressure DTA method are discussed.We gratefully acknowledge the partial financial support of the high-pressure DTA development by Metler Instrumente AG, Switzerland.     

Electrolysis in calorimetry

The procedure used by many electrochemists in calculating enthalpy in calorimetric measurements of electrolysis reactions is compared to a purely thermodynamic approach, using the data published by Fleischmannet al. [J. Electroanal. Chem., 287 (1990) 293.] as a case study.The set of excess values dH _ex/dt=dH _obs/dt -dH_calo/dt obtained with the former procedure was neither correlated to any of the experimental parameters nor to the set of values found using thermodynamics. The latter, smaller by factors of up to two orders of magnitude, are shown to follow an expression of the form dH _ex/dt=–kI exp (–E _a/RT) with an activation enthalpy of about 85 kJ·mol^–1. It is suggested that recombination of electrolysis gases may account for this.

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Zusammenfassung Das von vielen Elektrochemikern verwendete Verfahren zur Berechnung der Enthalpie in kalorimetrischen Messungen an Elektrolysereaktionen wurde unter Anwendung der von Fleischmann et.al. in einer Fallstudie [J. Electroanal. Chem., 287 (1990) 293.] veröffentlichten Angaben mit einer rein thermodynamischen Näherung verglichen.Eine Reihe von mit der ersten Methode erhaltenen überschu\werten dH _ex/dt=dH _obs/dt-dH _calc/dt korrelierte weder mit den experimentellen Parametern noch mit den entsprechenden, thermodynamisch gefundenen Werten. Letztere, um etwa zwei Grö\enordnungen kleinere Werte konnten durch die Gleichung dH _ex/dt= -kI exp (-E _a/RT) mit einer Aktivierungsenthalpie von etwa 85 kJ·mol^–1 beschrieben werden. Es wird deshalb nahegelegt, da\ dies einer Rekombinierung der Elektrolysegase zugeschrieben werden kann.

     

Learning about calorimetry

Calorimetry deals with the energetics of atoms, molecules, and phases and can be used to gather experimental details about one of the two roots of our knowledge about matter. The other root is structural science. Both are understood from the microscopic to the macroscopic scale, but the effort to learn about calorimetry has lagged behind structural science. Although equilibrium thermodynamics is well known, one has learned in the past little about metastable and unstable states. Similarly, Dalton made early progress to describe phases as aggregates of molecules. The existence of macromolecules that consist of as many atoms as are needed to establish a phase have led, however, to confusion between colloids (collections of microphases) and macromolecules which may participate in several micro- or nanophases. This fact that macromolecules can be as large or larger than phases was first established by Staudinger as late as 1920. Both fields, calorimetry and macromolecular science, found many solutions for the understanding of metastable and unstable states. The learning of modern solutions to the problems of materials characterization by calorimetry is the topic of this paper.This work was financially supported by the Div. of Materials Res., NSF, Polymers Program, Grant # DMR 90-00520 and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp. for the U. S. Department of Energy, under contract number DE-AC05-96OR22464. Support for instrumentation came from TA Instruments, Inc. Research support was also given by ICI Paints, and Toray Industries, Inc.     

Time-domain and frequency-domain differential calorimetry

The heat capacityC _p of a sample can be considered as a frequency dependent quantity; its behaviour can reflect the dynamics of enthalpy fluctuations. In order to take into account the dynamic nature of the measured quantity, calorimetry can mimic experimental methods as those of dielectrometry, performing experiments in time domain or in frequency domain.In this paper, an instrument is presented which is based on a calorimetric method meeting these requirements, and thus allowing to study sample dynamics of very viscous systems as glasses and some supercooled liquids. Moreover, experimental procedures permitting investigation of samples undergoing chemical and/or physical transformations by simultaneous measurements of enthalpy variation, heat capacity and, under certain conditions, thermal conductivity, are discussed.     

Application of a new method for data analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry in the interaction between human serum albumin and Ni

The interaction of human serum albumin (HAS) with divalent nickel ion was studied by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) in 30 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.0. There is a set of eight identical and independent binding sites for nickel ions on the protein at the temperature of 300 K. A new calorimetric data analysis allows the determination of the complete set of thermodynamic parameters. The binding isotherm for nickel-HSA interaction is easily obtained by carrying out two different ITC experiments. In the first experiment, the enthalpy of binding for one mole of nickel ion to one mole of binding site on HSA (ΔH=−36.5 kJ) is obtained, and is used in a second experiment to determine the binding isotherm and to find the number of binding sites (g=8) and the equilibrium constant (K=0.57 μM⁻¹).     

Differential thermal analysis of ignition temperatures in a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction

Differential thermal analysis was carried out on the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction 3TiO₂+4Al+3C→3TiC+2Al₂O₃. The results allow the ignition temperature of the reaction to be estimated and the reaction mechanism to be identified. The ignition temperature was 900°C and the results suggest that the reaction proceeds by an initial reaction between titania and aluminium (3TiO₂+4Al→3Ti+2Al₂O₃) and the titanium formed reacts with the carbon (Ti+C→TiC).     

Deformation calorimetry of polyurethane block-copolymers

A thermodynamic analysis of the uniaxial stretching of polyurethanes of various compositions and mechanical histories was carried out by using deformation calorimetry. The initial small strain deformations were found to result from the volume elasticity of the hard phase. The intramolecular energy contributions of the soft blocks were estimated. The hard block contributions were shown to depend on their content and on the degree of sample stretching. The predominant role of the soft component is proved to be manifested only in softened samples with a hard block content not exceeding 30%. The thermodynamics of the softening and hysteresis phenomena were studied. The dependence of the deformation mechanism on the hard block content and mechanical history is discussed.The authors express their thanks to Dr. A. R. Korigodsky and Dr. M. P. Letunovsky for the PU samples.     

Pulsed bed calorimetry

Conventional calorimetry has always the difficulty of choosing between near to equilibrium working conditions and high thermal ramp rates. Thus, either the transport phenomena and sample homogeneities are good but the signals become weak due to thermal losses, or the signals are sharp, but strong gradients across the sample lead to chemical and thermal heterogeneities. The described pulsed fluidized bed technique, by strongly stirring the sample, allows good sample homogeneities even at high ramp rates. Moreover, the permanently regenerated cover gas allows as well a good heat transfer towards the thermocouples as a constant atmosphere composition leading to very precise onset temperatures.