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

 

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
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