This document describes an experiment to determine the flash points of diesel and coconut oil using a flash point apparatus. Key findings include: - The flash point of diesel was 175°F and coconut oil was 265°F, indicating coconut oil has a higher flash point. - Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a fuel produces enough vapor to ignite, and is important for determining fire hazards, evaporation losses, safe storage and transport temperatures. - Methods to minimize errors in the experiment include properly stirring, adjusting flames, limiting handle rotations, and filling the oil cup to the proper level.

1. Flash Point Apparatus
NAME : Dilshan K.M.G.L.
COURSE : BSc. Engineering
INDEX NO. : 150****
GROUP :
DATE OF PER. :
DATE OF SUB. :

2. Abstract
In combustion processes, there are several theories and relations that help to improve the efficiency
of the combustion process. And also, there are some definitions and other related things that are
related with the combustion temperature.
Here in this practical, ‘Flash Point Apparatus’ is used to get the flash point that is the most important
temperature point in combustion process, especially in fuel burning process.
With the help of this practical we are going to find the flash point of diesel and coconut oil. And also
discuss the important of the flash point and how the flash point varies with the temperature and with
the type of fuel.
In detail we trying to get the idea of optimizing the flash point apparatus results to apply day to day
practical applications.
Introduction
Combustion is a process that deals with the chemical reaction, that release heat when reacts with
oxygen. First of all, we have to know what is the combustion because, flash point, the key element
that we are subjected to our practical is interrelated with combustion.
When we consider about combustion, we have to pay our attention, what we are trying to get by
combustion. Simply we get answer that heat, or energy. In combustion process, definitely we can get
the heat as outcome of the chemical reaction.
But we have to know how to optimize the combustion process. In that case we have to go to the deep
of the process. By searching that process, we can say that for the beginning of the combustion, there
must be flame source, that cause to start the combustion, and also vaporized chemical mixture of fuel,
in the case of fuel burning processes. If there is a flame, that will not cause to start the fire. Because
the temperature will not cause to produce vapour of the fuel.
We come to know that there is a temperature that is the fuel can produce enough vapour of fuel in
order to make fire. Simply that temperature is named as flash point temperature. This temperature is
varying with the fuel type and state of the fuel. In this practical we are going to get an idea of
importance of the flash point and its’ uses.
Theory
In this practical, we use relatively simple theory to get the flash point temperature. That is after
applying the fuel in to the apparatus, we increase the temperature of the fuel and get the flash point
temperature as described in the procedure in heating and cooling. Then get the average as the flash
point of the fuel.
𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
=
𝐹. 𝑃. 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 + 𝐹. 𝑃. 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔
2
Equipment
• Pensky Martin Flash Pint Tester completely with Bunsen burner
• Thermometer – thermos couple
• Gas connection
• Sample of oil to be tested

3. Procedure
• The upper part of the apparatus, that use to hold the testing fuel, was separated
• Fuel is filled until the mark on the cup
• The fuel container is placed in the apparatus and locked the device.
• Ignition and stirring part is fixed to the apparatus.
• Gas flowing valve is opened and lit the Bunsen burner and upper part of the flash point
apparatus
• Then thermocouple is set to the apparatus.
• Fuel is stirred while observing the temperature increment
• When the temperature comes at about 140F, rotate the upper part of the apparatus and check
whether there is a sound or flash with the 10F parts
• If there is noticeable flash, then recorded
• Then minimum temperature the flash point is recorded while cooling
• Average flash temperature is calculated using the given theory
Calculation and Results
𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑙 =
180 + 170
2
= 175 𝐹
𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑖𝑙 =
270 + 260
2
= 265 𝐹
Discussion
Define how many degrees would you except those temperatures to differ in the case of typical
lubrication oil.
Flash point – Lowest temperature at which vapour of the material will ignite, when given an ignition
source
Fire point – temperature at which the vapour produced by the given fuel will continue to burn for at
least 5 seconds after ignition by an open flame
We can see that fire point temperature is higher than the flash point temperature, because fire point
temperature cause to continuous burning process, and flash point is not. When we compare these two
temperature points, at the fire point temperature the fuel or burning material ignite briefly. But vapour
might not be produced at a rate to sustain the fire. In generally fire point temperatures is about 10℃
higher than the flash point temperature.
Describe why the above two temperatures are important
There are some key points, what are the points that importance of the flash and fire points
• This is an indication of fire hazard of petroleum products.
• Give an idea of the evaporation of the fuel and reduce the evaporation losses at high
temperatures
• Give an idea about maximum temperature which these fuels and oils can use without cause to
fire.
• This temperature values cause to get an idea about highest temperature values that fuel can
stored and transport
• Get an idea of the contaminants that dissolve inside the oil, because the contaminant
concentration is cause to vary the flash point temperature.

4. • Flash point temperature can use as classification method of lubrication oil as well as fuels.
o Generally, if the flash point < 140 F, the liquid is flammable liquid
o If flash point > 140 F, the liquid is combustible liquid
Describe the importance flash point for engine lubrication oil
We know that engine lubrication oil is used to lubricate the engine parts to reduce frictional forces
and reduce wear of them. So that there is temperature increment of the lubrication oil as well as the
parts. The main importance of the flash point is that it gives the idea of the ignition temperature.
When lubrication oil has high flash point, that means lubrication oil can withstand high temperatures
without ignition. That is indicated as fire resistance. As mentioned above, that will help to determine
the transportation and storing temperature of a lubricant. Also, we come to know that volatility of the
oil also small compared to the higher flash point lubrication oil.
By comparing the same sample of lubricants’ flash point, we can get an idea of the contaminates that
dissolve in that oil. Because the flash point of the oil is completely based on the dissolves chemicals
inside it.
With the help of the contaminants dissolving, can change the flashpoint as the application changes, so
that same lubricant can use for various practical scenarios without changing chemical composition, but
changing dissolving particles.
Comment on the suitability of coconut oil an engine lubricant
When we consider about the flash point of the coconut oil, it has high temperature. So that for some
special applications, that not undergoes with higher temperatures, can use coconut oils. As an
example, for small machines, that use human power to translate or rotate parts, that not undergoes
high torsions, vibrations, forces, can use coconut oils.
But there are some limitations. There is a restriction of using the coconut oil is high power
transmitting application, because that generates higher temperatures. That cause for the self-ignition.
In typical lubrications oil can be purchased in low-price than the coconut oil, and for economical
point of view, coconut oil will not provide much benefits. In some of the applications there are some
contaminants that can solidify on the machine components, when we use coconut oil. So that the
parts have to be replaces in short period of time.
Sometimes the performance of the coconut oil has low performance rather than conventional
lubrication oils, because these oils have been produced after more testing. But with some experiments
and improvements, that means adding some contaminates to the coconut oil will cause to increase the
efficiency of it.
Researchers have found that Coconut oil can be used is two strokes and four strokes vehicles. The
applications are engine lubricant, transmission oil, gear oil and break oil. The most important
characteristics that use to give such results are high flash point, high viscosity index, less evaporative
loss, oxidative and thermal stability.
But there are some disadvantages also. Coconut oil has high pour point, poor friction and wear
characteristics in high temperature. Because of that most industrial cases researcher are trying to
develop to use in low thermal applications. (G., 2003)
Suggest the method to minimize the errors of the experiment

5. • To get accurate temperature readings, stirring must be done correctly throughout the process.
• Flames have to be adjusted in complete burning area
• To get the flash point observation, don not rotate the handle frequently. Must wait some times
to produce enough vapour.
• Rotate handle one or two times only per time at the temperature points.
• Do not open the flash point checking orifice for longer time. That will cause to remove the
vapour of the fuel.
• To get the exact point temperature, can blow out the flame before reaching the observation
temperature and get the readings when temperature at the correct position. Otherwise
temperature increment cannot be controlled.
• Oils have to fill up to the mark that show on the cup. Less oil will cause to make high vapour
region and get low temperatures to produce vapour. High volume of oil will cause to for high
temperatures.
Conclusion
• Flash point is varying with the type of fuel
• Diesel has lower flash point than the Coconut oil
References
Analytical Instrumentation. (2014, June). Retrieved from PETRO industry news: https://www.petro-
online.com/news/analytical-instrumentation/11/breaking-news/what-is-the-difference-between-
flash-point-and-ignition-temperature/30656
Autoignition temperature and flash point of different hydrocarbons. (n.d.). Retrieved from The
engineering text book: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/flash-point-autoignition-temperature-
kindling-hydrocarbons-alkane-alkene-d_1941.html
G., K. (2003, dec 09). Coconur oil as lubricant. Retrieved from The hundu:
www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/12/09/stories/2003120900660200.htm
Michael J. Moran, H. N. (2006). Fundamentals of Engineering thermodynamics. West Sussex: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.