The issue of measuring and determining the calorific value of fuels is related to thermodynamic analysis of the effects of the combustion process aimed at determining the amount of heat transferred to the environment. Currently, there are several methods for determining the calorific value of fuels and their methodology is related to the type of fuel being analyzed. These methods are quite complicated and require the use of specialized measuring equipment. The energy demand of modern civilization along with the need to protect the natural environment prompts the search for new ways to generate energy directed at sources other than conventional fossil fuels. Technologies related to the use of biogas, synthesis gas obtained in biomass or waste gasification processes are being introduced. The use of these fuels in industrial processes of generating heat and electricity requires caloric stability of the fuel. The caloric stability of the fuel is necessary to ensure the stability of thermal energy conversion processes that translate directly into the set values of generated electricity using electric machines. One way to assess the energy quality of a fuel is to measure its calorific value. There are several methods for determining the calorific value of a fuel, but they all require special measurement conditions. The article presents the author’s concept of a calorimeter dedicated to the analysis of the calorific value of gaseous fuels.

The intensification of environmental protection measures is being implemented in all economic and industrial activities. The goal of reducing harmful emissions from various types of combustion engines used in different applications is being pursued dynamically. The introduced changes concern the values of harmful emission limits and the methods of measuring or assessing their emissions. There are solutions for propulsion systems, such as turbine engines used on ships, where there is a need for constant monitoring of operational and environmental parameters during the operation of the vessels. Continuous measurement of harmful emission values contained in exhaust gases during the operation of these systems allows for an assessment of their impact on the environment. However, due to the costs of measuring equipment and limitations associated with its use, alternative methods are being sought to evaluate pollution emissions resulting from the operation of turbine engines. One possibility is to assess the emission characteristics of the propulsion system in emission tests under conditions of its actual operation. Based on this, by introducing basic mathematical tools, it is possible to determine the values of emissions of individual pollutants during the propulsion system operation in actual conditions. These actions are presented in this paper.

Measurement of the calorific value of fuels with the use of the present calorimeter structures requires specific conditions and takes a relatively long time. These requirements are related to the assurance of appropriate environmental parameters, i.e. temperature, air humidity in the room within a narrow range of variability, which means there is a need to require ensuring laboratory conditions for the measurement. This situation is closely related to the complicated measurement methodology. Therefore, taking into account these problems, the market need has been defined resulting from the specificity of the operation of industrial installations, in which it is important to evaluate the quality of the consumed or produced gaseous fuel. This article presents an innovative concept of a calorimeter designed to determine the calorific value of gaseous fuels, and also describes a mathematical model of the device made in the SciLab environment, which is the basis for further considerations.

The assessment of the physicochemical parameters of fuels is particularly important in energy generation processes implemented using combustion processes. The calorific value of the fuels used is important in these processes. The calorific value of fuel is the basic parameter from which the mass of fuel necessary to generate a certain amount of energy results. Calorimeters are used to determine the calorific value of fuels. The subject of analyzes is the conceptual design of the calorimeter for gaseous fuel testing. A special element in the construction of the calorimeter is the combustion chamber. In its initial part, the gaseous fuel oxidation process is carried out, and in the final part, the required parameters are measured. In order to obtain high accuracy in the measurement of selected thermodynamic parameters, it is necessary to ensure homogeneity of the exhaust gases flowing in the measurement space. For this purpose, the construction of the combustion chamber was developed and simulation tests aimed at homogenization of exhaust gases in the chamber measuring space were carried out. An example of the construction and the tests carried out are provided in this article.