The EN 196-9 Semi-Adiabatic Cement Heat of Hydration Tester is designed for the determination of cement heat of hydration using the semi-adiabatic Langavant method in accordance with EN 196-9:2010. The system uses insulated calorimetric flasks, calibrated Pt100 temperature probes, and an electronic data acquisition system to continuously monitor temperature changes and calculate the heat of hydration of cement mortar. With reliable temperature measurement, automated data acquisition, and dedicated testing software, it provides an efficient solution for cement manufacturers, construction material laboratories, and research institutions conducting cement hydration heat testing and quality evaluation.

I. Product Description

The EN 196-9 Semi-Adiabatic Cement Heat of Hydration Tester is designed to determine the heat of hydration of cement using the semi-adiabatic method. It is developed and manufactured by Hebei Tianqixingzi Inspection Equipment Co., Ltd. in accordance with the testing requirements of EN 196-9:2010.

The instrument is suitable for laboratories and cement manufacturers operating in regions that adopt European standards, as well as companies supplying cement to the European market.

The semi-adiabatic cement heat of hydration test involves placing a freshly prepared cement sample in an insulated Dewar flask and monitoring the temperature change of the sample during the first several days. After a specified period, the heat of hydration of the cement in the specimen is determined from the heat accumulated in the flask during the test and the heat dissipated to the surrounding environment.

During the test, the temperature of the specimen is compared with that of an inert reference sample placed in a reference calorimeter. The temperature rise of the cement mortar mainly depends on its composition and properties and may reach approximately 10°C to 50°C. The heat of hydration is expressed in joules per gram of cement (J/g).

II. Equipment Configuration

The following equipment is required for the test:

Calorimetric Test Flask: Used to contain the cement mortar sample during testing.

Reference Calorimetric Flask: Contains mortar mixed at least 12 months earlier and considered inert. If an inert reference mortar is not available, an aluminum cylinder with a heat capacity equivalent to the combined heat capacity of the mortar container and mortar sample may be used.

Mortar Container: Disposable and replaced after each test.

Two Thermometers or Temperature Recorders: Used to monitor and record temperature changes during the test.

Planetary Mixer: Complies with the requirements of EN 196-1 and is used to prepare the cement mortar sample.

III. Test Conditions

The temperature of the test chamber must be 20 ± 2°C.

The ambient temperature near the calorimeter must be between 19 and 21°C and remain stable within ±0.5°C.

Use a reference calorimeter to measure the room temperature.

The ventilation velocity near the calorimeter must be less than 0.5 meters per second.

Heat sources and vents near the calorimeter must be eliminated.

IV. Mortar Sample Composition

Cement: 350 g

Sand: 1,050 g (must be standardized sand complying with EN 196-1)

Water (distilled water): 175 g

Total Weight: 1,575 g

It is common to perform multiple tests simultaneously. In this case, one reference flask can be used for up to six calorimeters.

The reference calorimeter is placed in the center, with the test calorimeters positioned at equal distances around it to form a hexagonal arrangement.

V. Calorimetric Flask Features

To obtain reliable test results, the calorimetric flask must be properly calibrated and comply with all the requirements of EN 196-9.

For calculations according to the standard procedure, each semi-adiabatic Langavant calorimeter flask is individually inspected and verified. Each flask is supplied with a data plate indicating the following parameters:

Heat Loss Coefficient

Thermal Mass

Dewar Flask Specifications

The Dewar flask is made of borosilicate glass with a hemispherical bottom. It includes an insulated lid and a rubber disk measuring 85 mm in diameter and 20 mm thick, which supports the sample container and distributes the load evenly over the glass walls.

Internal Diameter: 95 mm

External Diameter: 120 mm

Depth: 280 mm

Dewar Flask Outer Housing

The outer housing is designed to accommodate the above-mentioned Dewar flask.

It is made of 3 mm thick hard aluminum. The high-rigidity construction and sturdy wide base provide good stability during testing.

There is an approximately 5 mm air gap between the Dewar flask and the side wall of the outer housing. The Dewar flask is supported on a base approximately 50 mm thick.

The upper edge of the glass Dewar flask contacts a 5 mm thick crown-shaped cap, which is secured inside its housing. The crown lock provides a supporting surface for the glass stopper, ensuring proper sealing.

Both the glass support and the crown lock are made of materials with very low thermal conductivity.

Insulated Lid

The insulated lid consists of three parts:

Lower Section: Inserted into the container to minimize heat loss.

Center Section: Consists of a 120 mm diameter foam rubber disk, which ensures a good seal for the calorimeter.

Upper Section: Consists of a rigid shell with a locking mechanism that compresses the central foam rubber disk, ensuring proper sealing of the lid and correct positioning of the Dewar flask cap.

VI. Mortar Container

The mortar container is a cylindrical container with a lid, designed to hold the cement mortar sample during testing. The mortar container is intended for single use and should be discarded after each test.

The semi-adiabatic cement heat of hydration mortar container is made of 0.3 mm thick tinplate and assembled by electric welding.

Specifications

Diameter: 80 mm

Height: 165 mm

Approximate Capacity: 800 cm³

Water Vapor Tightness: Impermeable to water vapor at a pressure of 0.3 bar

The center of the lid is equipped with a cylindrical thermometer holder with a closed bottom. The internal diameter of the holder is slightly larger than the diameter of the thermometer.

The length of the thermometer holder can range from 100 to 120 mm, allowing it to reach the center of the test container.

The mortar container must be completely watertight and moisture-tight. After each test, its watertightness and moisture resistance are checked by weighing the mortar container.

VII. Temperature Probes

The temperature probe used for the semi-adiabatic cement heat of hydration test is a Pt100 resistance temperature sensor (100 Ω platinum), isolated by a plastic film with very low thermal conductivity.

Each probe is supplied with an ENAC calibration certificate. ENAC accreditation is widely recognized. Calibration is performed using calibrated instruments traceable to international temperature standards.

The electronic data acquisition module includes four measurement channels for connecting Pt100 probes, allowing up to three test calorimetric flasks and one reference flask to be connected in accordance with the standard.

According to customer requirements, an electronic module capable of connecting up to seven temperature probes can also be provided for semi-adiabatic cement heat of hydration testing. Please contact our sales team for details.

VIII. Technical Specifications

PC Interface: RS-232 port

A/D Converter: 16-bit

Linearity: ±0.1% FS

Thermal Drift: ±0.01%/°C of FS

Communication Protocol: MODBUS RTU/ASCII

Sampling Rate: 0.5–2 readings/s, depending on the number of channels read simultaneously

Isolation: Up to 2000 VAC (3 channels)

Effect of R Line: 0.05%? (maximum 50?, balanced)

Output Current: 0.350 mA

Data Transmission Rate: Up to 38.4 Kbps

Maximum Transmission Distance: 1.2 km

Compliance: EN standards; electromagnetic compatibility (CEE/336/89); immunity according to EN 61000-6-2; emissions according to EN 61000-6-4

WINTEST.LANG Data Acquisition Software

The data acquisition software runs on Windows® and provides the following functions:

Supports simultaneous measurement of up to 8 channels.

Continuously records the heat released by the reference calorimeter and test samples, calculates the heat of hydration for each sample, and displays test results graphically in accordance with the applicable standard.

Provides complete parameterization of test settings, sample data, and other test information.

Displays temperature/time curves in real time.

IX. Standard Accessories

Two independent calorimetric flasks (one for reference), supplied with official calibration certificates.

Two Pt100 temperature probes, each equipped with three threads, supplied with official calibration certificates.

One set of 50 disposable mortar containers.

Electronic control unit with four measurement channels and an RS-232 output interface, allowing up to four calorimetric flasks to be connected to a PC (three for test samples + one for the blank reference).

Next-generation PC with a dual-core microprocessor or higher, keyboard, mouse, 20-inch widescreen TFT monitor, Windows® operating system, user manual, and license.

WinLec32 Semi-Adiabatic Cement Heat of Hydration Software License (Test-Lang Version) for Windows®, pre-installed on the supplied PC.

Color inkjet printer.

Optional Accessories

Additional insulated calorimetric flask, supplied with an official calibration certificate.

One set of 50 disposable mortar containers.

Aluminum cylinder: Used as an alternative to inert cement as the reference material.