From: LMSTROUD**At_Symbol_Here**AOL.COM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] A lesson learned about oxygen bomb calorimetry
Date: February 15, 2012 7:50:57 PM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <6060.150a2768.3c6dacf1**At_Symbol_Here**aol.com>


I used the Parr adiabatic bomb calorimeter during my Master's and Ph.D.. programs (45+ yrs ago) to ultimately determine the caloric value of saltmarsh grass roots and leaves. I had to do this monthly-several samples for each type of plant part and species. Each time I shut that lid to burn the sample, I had the fear that the calorimeter lid would blow.
Seems I wasn't wrong to worry and very lucky that my work turned out safe. Imagine the safeguards that these modern calorimeters have that my calorimeter was missing.
 
Linda Stroud, Ph.D.
Science & Safety Consulting Services
 
In a message dated 2/15/2012 7:36:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**UCDAVIS.EDU writes:

Hi:

 

I've posted my report of this incident at http://ucih.ucdavis.edu/docs/ll_CalorimeterFailure.pdf for your reviewing pleasure.  The listserv chokes on embedded images.

 

This was a very near miss and thankfully, no one was injured.  If your chemistry/chemical engineering/materials science folks use this technique (and it's a pretty classic one), it would be good to follow up with them about routine maintenance on the bomb vessel.  Don't forget undergraduate teaching, where it's taught in p-chem lab.

 

Ya'll be safe out there,

Debbie

-------------------------

 

Debbie M. Decker, Campus Chemical Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA  95616
(530)754-7964/(530)681-1799 (cell)

(530)752-4527 (FAX)
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
Co-Conspirator to Make the World A
Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy

 

 

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.