Oxygen Combustion Bombs | Parr Instrument Company

Oxygen Combustion Bombs

1108 Oxygen Bomb

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Bomb Combustion

Combustion with oxygen in a sealed Parr Bomb is a reliable procedure whose effectiveness stems from its ability to treat analytical samples quickly and conveniently within a closed system without losing any of the sample or its combustion products. Combustion is rapid, releasing all of the heat obtainable from the sample and oxidizing all sulfur and other elements in the sample to soluble forms which are easily recovered for chemical analysis.

Many applications. The reliability of the oxygen bomb method has led to its acceptance as the basic procedure for determining sulfur, halogens and other elements in a broad range of combustible materials, particularly:

Sulfur in coal, coke and refuse derived fuels.

Sulfur in petroleum products.

Chlorine in petroleum and other combustible samples. Other halogens and elements such as: arsenic, mercury, phosphorus and boron can also be determined by oxygen bomb methods. Heavy metals present as trace elements in combustible samples can be determined by adding a quartz. A full discussion of oxygen bomb methods, including a listing of standard ASTM, ANSI, API, IP test procedures and an extensive bibliography is provided in Parr Manual 207M. Copies are available on request at no charge.

The 1108 Oxygen Bomb

The 1108 Bomb is the standard, 342mL, general purpose bomb used in all Parr 6100, 6200 and 1341 Calorimeters, and in the 1901 Bomb Combustion Apparatus described in Bulletin 4700. It will safely burn samples liberating up to a maximum of 8000 calories per charge, using oxygen charging pressures up to 40atm.

The standard 1108 bomb is made of a special columbium stabilized stainless steel selected for its excellent resistance to the mixed nitric and sulfuric acids produced in a bomb combustion. This is a superior alloy that is suitable for most combustion tests, yet neither it nor any other stainless steel will resist the corrosive atmosphere produced when burning samples containing halogen compounds. For these applications Parr offers the 1108CL bomb described below.

An oxygen filling system and other accessories for the 1108 bombs can be ordered or a bomb complete with all necessary accessories can be obtained by ordering the 1901 Oxygen Bomb Apparatus.

The 1108CL Chlorine-Resistant Bomb

Parr now offers a new 1108CL bomb that is the same as the 1108 model, but with a head and cylinder made of an alloy with superior corrosion resistance to the free chlorine and halogen acids released when burning halogenated samples. Users who intend to test waste materials and combustible solvents are urged to select the 1108CL bomb instead of 1108 for its longer service life under extreme corrosive conditions. Bomb maintenance is also improved. In most cases 1108CL bombs returned to the factory for scheduled maintenance can be restored to optimum finish simply by repolishing instead of having to rebore the cylinder to remove pits. The 1108CL bomb may be purchased separately or it can be substituted for the standard 1108 bomb in any Parr calorimeter or combustion apparatus.

1131-1136 Oxygen Combustion Bombs

Parr offers a bomb made of chlorine resistant material for both of the fixed cylinder calorimeters.

The head and cylinder are made of an alloy with superior corrosion resistance to the free chlorine and halogen acids released when burning halogenated samples. Users that intend to test waste material and combustible solvents are urged to select the CL version.

Special Purpose Bombs

Parr offers several special purpose oxygen bombs for calorimetry and analytical applications in sizes from 22 to 2000mL. Inquiries for other applications are welcome.

1104 High Strength Bomb with Cage and Loop

The 1104 High Strength Bomb with Cage and Loop is a heavy-walled, 240 mL vessel. It is designed for combustion tests of explosives and other fast burning, high energy samples, that burn with extreme violence. The 1104 High Strength Bomb will handle samples liberating up to 12,000 calories using an oxygen charging pressure up to 45 atm (665psig).

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.

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 substituting the loop capsule holder and omitting the cage.

1104B High Strength Bomb with Loop

The 1104B High Strength Bomb with Loop is designed for testing materials that do not produce the shock forces generated by explosive samples.

The 1104B is identical to the 1104 except that it does not include the combustion cage and heavy duty capsule necessary for testing explosive samples.

1104C High Strength Bomb with Vacuum Adaptation

The 1104C High Strength Bomb with Vacuum Adaptation is designed for testing explosives in a vacuum.

It is not accurate to test the amount of energy generated in an explosion when oxygen is present as the end products of the explosion will also be combustible. For example, any free Carbon and Carbon Monoxide will react with oxygen to form Carbon Dioxide and release an undeterminable amount of heat that did not come from the initial composition being tested. It is usually recommended to use 5 atm of Nitrogen or Argon environment through a fill and flush sequence in the 1104 High Strength Bomb with Cage and Loop to overcome this problem.

For those that would prefer to test in a vacuum there is the 1104C High Strength Bomb with Vacuum Adaptation. The 1104C is identical in specifications to the 1104. The only change in the 1104C is that the inlet valve on the bomb has been modified to allow for a vacuum to be pulled.

Testing larger samples

The 1104 High Strength Bomb is intended for samples of up to 1 gram not liberating more than 12,000 calories per sample. For testing up to 25 grams of high explosives per sample see the Parr Detonation Calorimeter.

No. 1109A Semi-micro Bomb. This 22 mL bomb is the smallest Parr combustion bomb. It will accommodate samples ranging from 25 to 200 milligrams liberating up to 1200 calories. Samples can also be burned in inert atmospheres when testing heat powders, pyrotechnic mixtures and slow-burning thermite types with self- contained oxidizers.

No. 1121 Large-capacity Bomb. This is an 1850 mL oxygen bomb developed for users who want to analyze slow-burning cellulosic materials using larger samples than can be treated in the 1108 bomb. It will accommodate samples weighing up to 10 grams using oxygen charging pressures up to 20 atm., but these limits vary and must be checked experimentally for each sample. The bomb will hold vacuum, making it particularly useful for determining trace amounts of tritium, carbon- 14 or heavy metals in vegetable matter.

Ordering Guide

1104	High Pressure Oxygen Bomb - capsule cage and loop terminal package
1104B	High Pressure Oxygen Bomb - loop terminal, no combustion cage, no capsule
1104C	High Pressure Oxygen Bomb with Vacuum Adaptation - capsule cage and loop terminal package
1108	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6100/6200 Calorimeters, 342 mL, Carp. 2OCb-3 stainless steel
1108CL	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6100/6200 Calorimeters, 342 mL, for chlorine service
1108P	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6100/6200 with permanent fuse wire
1108PCL	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6100/6200 with permanent fuse wire, for chlorine service
1108R	Oxygen Combustion Bomb w/ flat gasket
1108RCL	Oxygen Combustion Bomb w/ flat gasket, for chlorine service
1109A	Oxygen Combustion Bomb, 22 mL, self sealing, with manual valve
1131-1136	Oxygen Bomb, 342mL
1131-1136CL	Oxygen Bomb, 342mL, for chlorine service
1138	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6400/6300 Calorimeters, 250 mL
1138CL	Oxygen Combustion Bomb for 6400/6300 Calorimeters, 250 mL, for chlorine service

Oxygen Bomb Apparatus

Complete Systems for Bomb Combustion Procedures

This is the convenient way to purchase an oxygen bomb with a full set of operating accessories. Although any of the components of this apparatus may be purchased separately, by purchasing a complete apparatus the user can be sure that he will have all of the equipment needed for bomb combustion operations.

The 1901 Oxygen Bomb Apparatus with an 1108 bomb will handle most procedures. It consists of:

1108 Oxygen combustion bomb
A387A Water bath
1825 Oxygen filling connection
2901 Ignition unit
A468E Ignition cords
A38A Bomb head support stand
421A Bomb lifter
43AS Combustion capsules
45C10 Cards of 10-cm fuse wire
3601 Bottle of 100 gelatin capsules
Extra gaskets and sealing rings
187M Instruction manual

Ordering Guide

1901EB Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108 bomb, 115v 50/60 Hz
1901EE Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108 bomb, 230v 50/60 Hz
1901CLEB Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108CL bomb, 115v 50/60 Hz
1901CLEE Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108CL bomb, 230v 50/60 Hz
1911EB Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108 bomb, platinum electrodes and quartz liner, 115v 50/60 Hz
1911EE Oxygen bomb apparatus with 1108 bomb, platinum electrodes and quartz liner, 230v 50/60 Hz

Similar oxygen bomb apparatus with accessories listed above can be furnished with an 1108CL bomb, or with an 1108 bomb with platinum electrodes and a quartz liner. Spare parts kits are available also.

A Quartz Liner for the 1108

For Determining Trace Elements in Combustible Samples

Trace elements in coal, oil and other combustible samples are readily determined by AA or ICP spectroscopy following combustion in an oxygen bomb. However, trace amounts of heavy metals leached from the bomb walls and electrodes during combustion can cause problems. This can be avoided by using a platinum-lined bomb, but a platinum lining is expensive. As an alternate, Parr offers a quartz liner for the 1108 bomb that does not provide the full protection of platinum, but is, nevertheless, an effective substitute. In this arrangement the burning sample comes in contact with only the quartz liner and platinum electrodes. Reprints of papers describing the successful use of an 1108 bomb with quartz liner for trace analysis by AA spectroscopy are available from Parr.

The Quartz Parts

The 513A quartz liner for the 1108 bomb consists of a quartz cup, 61 mm dia. x 86 mm deep, with a 514A flat quartz cover. Holes are provided in the cover for inserting platinum electrodes which support a fused silica sample cup and a short platinum fuse wire. All of the parts needed for adding this liner are provided in the 1912 Quartz Liner Conversion Set, consisting of:

513A Quartz liner
514A Quartz cover
4AFB Platinum electrode
5AFB Platinum electrode
68AC Lock nut, T303SS
45C3 Platinum fuse wire, 300 cm
43A3 Fused silica combustion capsules

Users who do not have an 1108 bomb should order the 1911 Oxygen Bomb Apparatus listed above which provides a bomb complete with a quartz liner and all accessories.

Ordering Guide

1912 Conversion set for adding a quartz liner to an 1108 Oxygen Bomb

Oxygen Bomb Accessories

Oxygen Filling Connections

These connections provide all of the valves, gages and couplings needed for charging. Parr oxygen bombs from a commercial oxygen tank under manual control. They are made in three styles that are identical except for the coupling on the bomb filling hose. All units fit a standard 1A oxygen tank having a CGA 540 outlet with a right handed thread. Two pressure gages are provided. The larger gage graduated from 0 to 55 atmospheres shows the pressure to which the bomb has been charged, while the smaller gage shows the available pressure in the supply tank. Gas flow to the bomb is controlled by a needle valve in the gage block. There is an automatic relief valve to prevent-over-charging during the filling operation.

Ordering Guide

1823 Oxygen Filling Connection with flat gasket coupling for use with 1104 bombs.
1824 Oxygen Filling Connection with snap coupling for use with 1105, 1106, and 1107 bombs.
1825 Oxygen Filling Connection with 0-ring coupling for use with 1108 and 1121 bombs.

Combustion Capsules

The 43A fuel capsules listed below are used in all 1105, 1106 and 1108 oxygen bombs. Other capsules in the list are for special purpose bombs as indicated.

Ordering Guide

43AS Combustion Capsule, stainless steel
43A3 Combustion Capsule, fused silica
43A5 Combustion Capsule, platinum - 31/2% rhodium
43A6 Combustion Capsule, platinum - 31/2% rhodium w/flanged rim
169AC Combustion Capsule, platinum, for the Parr Semi-micro bombs
208AC Combustion Capsule, lnconel, for the Parr Semi-micro bombs
217A Heavy combustion capsule for 1104 bomb
446A Combustion cup, stainless, for 1121 bomb

Ignition Unit

These units provide the proper electric current for firing a Parr oxygen or sodium peroxide bomb from a 115 or 230 volt line. Each carries a push switch, pilot light and output binding posts for connections to 7 or 10 cm bomb fuses. Connecting cords must be ordered separately.

Ordering Guide

2901EB Ignition unit, 115v 50/60 Hz.
2901EE Ignition unit, 230v 50/60 Hz.
A468E Ignition Cord, 3-ft., single cord with spade terminal one end, banana plug other end. Use with 1108 or 1121 bombs. Two required.
A468E2 Ignition Cord, like A468E but with spade terminals on both ends. Use with AA140AC water bath.

Fuse Wire

Parr 45C10 fuse wire is a 34 B&S gage, nickel- chromium resistance wire wound on a 10 cm card for ease in cutting a fuse to length. Platinum wire is sold by length as shown.

Ordering Guide

45C2 Fuse Wire, platinum, 26 ga, priced per foot
45C3 Fuse Wire, platinum 36 ga, 300 cm coil
45C10 Fuse Wire, Ni-alloy, 10-cm card, 500 pieces/card, 3 card/pack, 1500pcs/pkg

Volatile Matter Crucibles

Parr VM Crucibles with insert covers have been developed especially for determining volatile matter in coal and coke according to the standard ASTM test method D3175. They meet all requirements of the ASTM method except they are made of a special nickel-chromium alloy instead of platinum.

Ordering Guide:

VM Crucibles can be ordered either with or without insert covers under the following catalog numbers:

3101 VM Crucible with insert cover
3102 VM Crucible without cover
3103 Insert cover for VM Crucible

Parr Oxygen Combustion Bombs

Oxygen Combustion Bombs
Today's Date: 09 September 2010
Parr Instrument Company
211 Fifty Third Street
Moline, Illinois 61265-9984
1-800-872-7720 / (309) 762-7716 FAX (309) 762-9453
Email: parr@parrinst.com