Desenvolvimento de um calorímetro didático de baixo custo

Abstract

The present academic work aimed to develop a low-cost didactic calorimeter in order to carry out experiments in chemical engineering laboratory classes, seeing that the instrument available has restrictions of use that make it difficult to conduct practical classes. Accessible technologies were used, such as the use of microcontrollers (Arduino) to control the sensors and 3D printing to model and build essential parts of the equipment. In the insulation system, polyurethane foam with a thickness of approximately 10 mm was used in addition to the printed housing with gyroid filling. The stirring system was composed of a 5V DC motor, and three models of propellers printed on PETG. The calibration of the temperature sensor was performed using a mercury thermometer from the institution's Analytical Chemistry laboratory as a reference, and the method of mixtures was replicated to calculate the heat capacity of the equipment. The result was a calorimeter with an average heat capacity of 82.86 Cal/ºC, which cannot be disregarded in the energy balance of the system. Despite this, its use is justified because it’s portable, and it also can be used in a wide range of ambient temperature.