Joule-Thomson Apparatus | ThermoFlux-28
The Joule-Thomson Apparatus ThermoFlux-28 is a laboratory unit for determining the Joule-Thomson coefficient of CO2 and N2 through controlled gas expansion across a throttle frit. This Joule-Thomson apparatus features a 250 mm, 46 mm diameter plastic-coated glass tube with two Pt-100 temperature measurement points and a throttle body, enclosed in a transparent plastic splinter-protection case. A 37.5 m, 132-coil copper capillary heat exchanger reheats inlet gas to ambient temperature before expansion. The pressure gauge covers 0 to 10 bar (0.05 bar graduation), operating overpressure is up to 1 bar, and temperature resolution is 0.1°C in differential mode. Ten experiments cover real gas behaviour, Van der Waals theory, throttling, and inversion temperature. Optional LABVIEW DAQ software is available.
The Joule-Thomson Apparatus ThermoFlux-28 is a laboratory and demonstration unit for the experimental determination of the Joule-Thomson coefficient of real gases, specifically CO2 and N2. This Joule-Thomson apparatus is equipped with a heat exchanger, a plastic-coated glass tube with throttle body, two Pt-100 temperature sensor measurement points, and a copper coil heat exchanger of 37.5 m length across 132 coils. The unit operates in an overpressure range of 0 to 10 bar and functions at room temperature, enabling direct measurement and comparison of real gas expansion behaviour against ideal gas theory.
Product Overview
The ThermoFlux-28 measures the Joule-Thomson coefficient by expanding gas across a frit from the overpressure shown on the manometer to ambient pressure. The heat exchanger reheats the gas that has been cooled at the pressure-reducing valve of the gas pressure cylinder back to ambient temperature, bringing the system to a consistent starting temperature before each expansion measurement. This controlled pre-conditioning ensures repeatable results across successive experiments.
The glass section of the unit is enclosed in a transparent plastic case to protect against glass splinters during operation. The plastic-coated glass tube, 250 mm in length and 46 mm in diameter, houses the throttle body and two Pt-100 temperature measurement points. A frame with a pressure gauge and a spiral of copper capillary tube forms the heat exchanger assembly. The copper coil is 37.5 m in total length across 132 coils. The pressure gauge covers 0 to 10 bar with a graduation of 0.05 bar. The digital temperature measuring instrument displays temperature to 0.1°C resolution in differential measuring mode.
The unit operates in an overpressure range of up to 1 bar in standard use and is fundamentally a room-temperature apparatus. Ten structured experiments cover the Joule-Thomson coefficient for CO2 and N2, real gas behaviour, intrinsic energy, Gay-Lussac theory, the throttling phenomenon, the Van der Waals equation, Van der Waals forces, the inverse Joule-Thomson effect, and inversion temperature.
Optional DAQ software (ThermoFlux-28), developed in the National Instruments LABVIEW environment, is available for automated measurement and calculation, compatible with any Windows operating system. A set of electronic sensors is included when the software option is selected.
Joule-Thomson Apparatus ThermoFlux-28, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | ThermoFlux-28 |
| Unit Purpose | Determination of Joule-Thomson coefficient |
| Gases Tested | CO2 and N2 |
| Pressure Range | 0 to 10 bar |
| Pressure Gauge Graduation | 0.05 bar |
| Operating Overpressure | Up to 1 bar |
| Operating Temperature | Room temperature |
| Tube Length | 250 mm |
| Tube Diameter | 46 mm |
| Tube Construction | Plastic-coated glass, enclosed in transparent plastic case |
| Throttle Body | Inside plastic-coated glass tube |
| Temperature Sensor Type | Pt-100 |
| Temperature Sensor Positions | 2 measurement points on tube |
| Temperature Display Resolution | 0.1°C in differential measuring mode |
| Temperature Measuring Instrument | Digital |
| Heat Exchanger | Frame with pressure gauge and copper capillary coil spiral |
| Copper Coil Total Length | 37.5 m |
| Number of Coils | 132 |
| Accessories | 1 m pressure hose, hose clamps |
| Optional Software | DAQ software ThermoFlux-28, National Instruments LABVIEW, Windows compatible |
| Scope of Delivery | 1 experimental unit, 1 instructional manual |
Technical Data
Pressure System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pressure Range | 0 to 10 bar |
| Gauge Graduation | 0.05 bar |
| Operating Overpressure Range | Up to 1 bar |
Glass Tube Assembly
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Tube Length | 250 mm |
| Tube Diameter | 46 mm |
| Construction | Plastic-coated glass tube |
| Enclosure | Transparent plastic case (splinter protection) |
| Throttle Body | Included inside tube |
| Temperature Measurement Points | 2 x Pt-100 sensor positions |
Heat Exchanger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Frame with copper capillary coil spiral |
| Copper Coil Total Length | 37.5 m |
| Number of Coils | 132 |
| Function | Reheats cooled gas back to ambient temperature before expansion |
Temperature Measurement
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument Type | Digital temperature measuring instrument |
| Sensor Type | Pt-100 |
| Display Resolution | 0.1°C in differential measuring mode |
Accessories
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Pressure Hose | 1 m length |
| Hose Clamps | Included |
Optional DAQ Software
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Software Reference | ThermoFlux-28 |
| Development Environment | National Instruments LABVIEW |
| OS Compatibility | Any Windows operating system |
| Sensors | Electronic sensors included with software option |
Key Features
- Joule-Thomson Apparatus Function: Determines Joule-Thomson coefficient for CO2 and N2 by gas expansion across a frit from overpressure to ambient pressure
- Pressure Range: 0 to 10 bar, gauge graduation 0.05 bar, operating overpressure up to 1 bar
- Glass Tube: Plastic-coated, 250 mm length, 46 mm diameter, enclosed in transparent plastic splinter-protection case
- Throttle Body: Housed inside the plastic-coated glass tube with two Pt-100 temperature measurement points
- Heat Exchanger: Copper capillary coil spiral, 37.5 m total length, 132 coils, reheats gas to ambient temperature before expansion
- Temperature Measurement: Digital instrument, 0.1°C resolution in differential mode, Pt-100 sensors
- Operating Condition: Room temperature, overpressure range up to 1 bar
- Accessories: 1 m pressure hose and hose clamps included
- Optional DAQ Software: ThermoFlux-28, National Instruments LABVIEW, Windows compatible, electronic sensors included
Experiments
- Determination of the Joule-Thomson coefficient of CO2
- Determination of the Joule-Thomson coefficient of N2
- Behaviour of real gas
- Intrinsic energy
- Gay-Lussac theory
- Throttling phenomenon
- Van der Waals equation
- Van der Waals forces
- Inverse of the Joule-Thomson effect
- Inversion temperature
Construction and Design
The Joule-Thomson Apparatus ThermoFlux-28 is built around a plastic-coated glass tube, 250 mm in length and 46 mm in diameter, which houses the throttle body and two Pt-100 temperature sensor measurement points. The entire glass section is enclosed within a transparent plastic case to provide protection against glass splinters during operation. A frame assembly carries the pressure gauge and a copper capillary coil spiral that serves as the heat exchanger. The copper coil extends 37.5 m in total length across 132 individual coils, providing sufficient thermal exchange area to reheat the inlet gas from the cooled state at the pressure-reducing valve back to ambient temperature before expansion.
Gas from the pressure cylinder passes through the heat exchanger, reaching system temperature before expanding across the frit from the measured overpressure to ambient pressure. The pressure gauge covers 0 to 10 bar with a graduation of 0.05 bar. The unit operates in an overpressure range of up to 1 bar and is designed for room-temperature use. Two Pt-100 sensors at defined positions on the tube measure the temperature differential across the throttle. The digital temperature measuring instrument displays readings to a resolution of 0.1°C in differential measuring mode, enabling precise determination of temperature change during gas expansion.
This Joule-Thomson apparatus is supplied with a 1 m pressure hose and hose clamps for connection to the gas supply cylinder. Optional DAQ software developed in the National Instruments LABVIEW environment supports automated data acquisition and calculation on any Windows operating system, with a set of electronic sensors included when this option is selected.
Software
ThermoFlux-28 DAQ Software (Optional)
Optional DAQ software for this Joule-Thomson apparatus is developed in the National Instruments LABVIEW environment. It measures and calculates experimental results automatically. A set of electronic sensors is included when the software option is selected. The software is compatible with any Windows operating system.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 experimental unit
- 1 instructional manual
Q1: What gases can be tested with the Joule-Thomson Apparatus ThermoFlux-28?
The apparatus is designed for determination of the Joule-Thomson coefficient of CO2 and N2. Both gases are expanded across the throttle frit from measured overpressure to ambient pressure for coefficient determination.
Q2: What is the function of the heat exchanger on the ThermoFlux-28?
The heat exchanger, a copper capillary coil spiral of 37.5 m length across 132 coils, reheats the gas that has been cooled at the pressure-reducing valve of the gas pressure cylinder back to ambient temperature. This returns the gas to system temperature before each expansion measurement, ensuring consistent and repeatable starting conditions.
Q3: Why is the glass tube enclosed in a transparent plastic case?
The transparent plastic case encloses the glass section of the apparatus to provide protection against glass splinters in the event of breakage during operation. The transparent material allows full visual observation of the tube contents throughout experiments.
Q4: What temperature measurement resolution does the ThermoFlux-28 provide?
The digital temperature measuring instrument displays temperature to a resolution of 0.1°C when used in differential measuring mode. Two Pt-100 sensors are positioned at the measurement points on the plastic-coated glass tube.
Q5: Is optional data acquisition software available for the ThermoFlux-28?
Yes. Optional DAQ software developed in the National Instruments LABVIEW environment is available. It measures and calculates experimental results and is compatible with any Windows operating system. A set of electronic sensors is included when this option is selected.
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