This lab report details procedures for determining the flash point and fire point of a petroleum product sample using an open cup apparatus. The flash point is the lowest temperature at which the vapors ignite briefly, while the fire point is the lowest temperature at which the vapors will sustain burning. For the given sample, the flash point was determined to be 70°C and the fire point 84°C. The measurements characterize fire hazards and are useful for product identification and contamination detection.

1. Lab report of Energy Engineering lab
Flash point & Fire point
Title:
To determine the flash point of given sample of Petroleum product by open cup
apparatus.
Apparatus:
1. Cleave land open cup apparatus
2. Thermometer
3. Beaker
Theory and definition:
This apparatus is used to measure the flash point and fire point of an oil sample in an open
environment
Flash point: The lowest temperature, corrected to a pressure of 760mmHg(101325 Pa)(1013
mbar), at which application of an ignition source causes the vapour of a specimen to ignite.
Fire point: The fire point is the lowest temperature at which the vapour of substance momentarily
burns under specified condition of test.
The flash point is often used as a descriptive characteristic of liquid fuel, and it is also used to help
characterize the fire hazards of liquids. “Flash point” refers to both flammable liquids and
combustible. Flash and fire points are used to indicate
 Fire hazard of petroleum products and evaporation loses under high temperature loses
 It gives us the idea about the maximum temperature below which the oil can be used
 It is used as the means of identification of specific lubricating oil
 For detection of contamination in the given lubricating oil
Procedure:
Thermometer should be pendent or held in vertical position by any suitable device. The
bottom of bulb should be ¼ in from the bottom of the cup. The cup should be filled with the
material to be tested in such a manner that the top of meniscus is exactly at the filling line at room
temperature. There should be no oil above the filling line or outside of the apparatus.
The test flame should be approximately 5/32 in diameter. The test flame should be applied as
the temperature read on thermometer reaches each 5F, the flam should pass through the center of

2. Lab report of Energy Engineering lab
cup and time passing should be 1 second. When oil reaches a temperature 50F below probable flash
point the heating should be decreased. The flash point should be taken as the temperature read on
the thermometer when flash occur at any point on the surface of the oil. After determining the flash
point the heating should be continued at low rates. The application of test flame should be at
specified intervals. Until the oil burn and continue to burn for at least 5 seconds.
Flash point & Fire point
Observation and calculation:
Room temperature = 29° C
Flash point = 70° C
Fire point = 84° C
Result:
Flash point = 70°C
Fire point = 84°C
Comments:
The flash point is an empirical measurement rather than a fundamental physical parameter.
The measured value will vary with equipment and test protocol variations, including temperature
ramp rate (in automated testers), time allowed for the sample to equilibrate, sample volume and
whether the sample is stirred.