High Precision Microcalorimetry: Apparatus, Procedures, and Biochemical Applications

Apparatus and procedures used for high-precision microcalorimetric measurements are described. The calorimeter is of the heat-conduction type and utilizes semi-conductor thermoelectric modules. The bicompartmental reaction vessel is made of high-density polyethylene and holds about 0.5 mL of solution in each compartment. Imprecision of heat measurement is 0.2 percent when measuring 300 mJ of heat produced by a rapid chemical reaction. Three microcalorimeters are operated simultaneously using a microcomputer and a data acquisition system. Thermochemical and kinetic applications are described. The acquisition of data from an isoperibol solution calorimeter is also described.