Conical calorimeter

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Applicable scope:

The conical calorimeter is the most important small-scale testing instrument in the field of fire testing.

Product Introduction:

When evaluating the fire characteristics of materials and products, heat release is the core measurement parameter. It is difficult to measure heat release using traditional methods. In recent years, large-scale testers (such as furniture) have developed oxygen deficient calorimeter technology, which generates heat by burning samples for testing, making it possible to test heat release.

In the early 1980s, NIST employees (formerly NBS) in the United States decided to develop laboratory scale heat release testers to address the shortcomings of existing small-scale heat release tests. At that time, small-scale testing used the method of measuring enthalpy loss in enclosed spaces. Research and development have determined that the oxygen deficient calorimeter is the best testing method. This is based on empirical observation, that is, the heat released during material combustion is always proportional to the oxygen consumption during the combustion process. This instrument is called a conical calorimeter, named after the shape of a truncated conical heater that uses a 100 kW/m2 heat flux radiation test sample.

The cone calorimeter can meet all existing standards (including ISO 5660, ASTM E 1354, ASTM E 1474, ASTM E 1740, ASTM F 1550, ASTM D 6113, NFPA 264, CAN ULC 135, and BS 476 Part 15), and can also be purchased in component form. If a laboratory needs specific tests such as heat release, mass loss, smoke generation, etc., the required components can be purchased first, and then other instruments can be gradually added to the same test chamber to become a complete specification instrument. This flexibility is one of the many advantages of a conical calorimeter.

Compliant with standards:

ISO 5660, ASTM E 1354, ASTM E 1474, ASTM E 1740, ASTM F 1550, ASTM D 6113, NFPA 264, CAN ULC 135, BS 476 Part 15

The complete system includes:

1. Cone heater - inside a truncated cone, 230V, 5000W, with a heat output of 100 kW/m2

2. Device for testing horizontal or vertical samples

3.3 K-class thermocouples and Phase 3 PID temperature controllers for temperature control

4. Opening and closing mechanism - Protect the sample area before testing to ensure stable initial quality measurement. Operators can have additional time to perform system testing before testing begins. For flammable samples, if there is no opening and closing mechanism, it is easy to burn too early. This extra time is very important for the operator

5. Sample holder - sample size 100mm x 100mm, thickness not exceeding 50mm, placed horizontally or vertically

6. Load cell - Quality measurement is achieved through strain gauge load cell testing, with an accuracy of up to 0.01g. Equipped with swift electronic weighing components and a mechanical stop device, it can avoid damage caused by movement, provide stable results, and ensure the longevity of the instrument

7. Spark ignition -10kV spark igniter, equipped with a safety ceasefire device. The igniter is automatically positioned by a lever connected to the closing mechanism

8. Exhaust system - made of stainless steel to extend service life. Including cover, gas sample sampling needle, exhaust fan (adjustable flow rate, 0g/s to 50g/s, with an accuracy of at least 0.1g/s), and orifice flow tester (thermocouple and differential pressure sensor). The common test is usually 24 l/s

9. Gas sampling - including particulate filters, cryogenic traps, pumps, drying cylinders, and flow controllers

10. Oxygen analysis - paramagnetic oxygen analyzer, between 0-25%, performance meets standards

11. Smoke opacity - measured using a laser system, using photodiodes, 0.5 mW helium neon laser, primary and backup photodetectors. Simultaneously equipped with positioning brackets and 0.3, 0.8 neutral density filters for calibration

12. Heat flux meter - used to set the radiation level on the sample surface

13. Burner Calibration - Calibrate the heat release rate measured by the instrument using methane with a purity of 99.5%

14. Data Acquisition - Anjie Wheel Data Collector/Converter, equipped with a 3-hole card slot, 6 1/2 digits (22 bits) internal DMM, capable of 120 single end measurements or 48 dual end measurements. The scanning rate can reach 250 channels/second, with a 115k baud RS232 and PCI GPIB interface. All readings are automatically recorded in time and stored in a stable 50000 reading memory

15. Cone calorimeter software - operating languages include English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. The user interface is a Windows operating system with easy-to-use button operations, standard Windows data input methods, dropdown options, click to select, and switches. Capable of:

1) Display instrument status.

2) Calibrate instruments and store calibration results.

3) Collect test data.

4) Calculate the required parameters.

5) Display the results according to the standard requirements.

6) Take the average value from multiple tests.

7) Data input to FDMS (Fire Data Management System) - This system format is applicable to most European and American laboratories, and data sharing of different calorimeters is carried out between laboratories.

8) The file output is in CSV (comma separated file) format, which can be quickly converted into a spreadsheet.

Optional configuration:

1. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide can be analyzed using an NDIR gas analyzer.

2. Hydrogen chloride - heating supply line and gas analyzer.

3. Controllable Gas Attachment - Used for low oxygen sample analysis.

4. Mass loss calorimeter.

5. FTIR toxicity tester.

6. Protective door - protects operators from inhaling smoke generated by toxic samples. Normal air can enter from the bottom for exhaust and intake in the normal testing area. The steel plate blocks the back, the exhaust hood blocks the top, the testing door blocks the bottom, and the protective door just blocks the last side.