Where can I find a bomb calorimeter to run tests with?

Question

I'm researching the heats of combustion for different fuels, and I need to test this with a bomb calorimeter. Where can I find one to use? Is it possible to build a simple one?

Answer 1

In a true bomb calorimiter, the sample is burned in pure oxygen under high pressure in a vessel surrounded by water in an insulated vessel etc etc. it would be difficult, and possibly unsafe, to make one from odds and ends. You might be able to buy a used one from companies that sell second hand scientific equipment. Also, you might check the scientific literature & reference books; the heats of combustion for many of the materials you would be looking at have probably already been done!