Determination of calorific values of vegetable oils using the calorific bomb method.

Abstract

The topic of study was to determine the calorific values of vegetable oils using the Calorific bomb method. The mineral oil samples used were collected from varying petrol Stations. Four samples of vegetable oils were studied and these include: corn oil, sun Flower seed oil, fully refined palm olein and fully refined palm olein, sun flower seed oil. Two samples of mineral oil were studied and these include: Kerosene and Diesel. The method used to determine calorific values of different oil samples was Pfaundler-Stohmann, where data was analyzed using Ms Excel and different graphs were generated.Kerosene, corn oil, fully refined palm olein and diesel are arranged in order of increasing Calorific values as the results obtained. This was because of their varying densities. Calorific values of vegetable oils have been determined. The fired samples of vegetable Oil contained a higher amount of energy compared to Kerosene (mineral oil), fully refined Palm olein contained the highest calorific value and corn oil with least value amongst Vegetable oils. Diesel has a higher calorific value compared to Kerosene. Therefore, I would recommend the use of fully refined palm olein as the best edible oil Compared to others since it contained the highest energy. More studies need to be carried Out on how to use high energy vegetable oil as fuels with ability to run machines.