Application of the finite element simulation method to the adiabatic and potentiometric corrections of calorimetric...

A general numerical analysis procedure is described which has been applied to an automated differential pH-thermal titration apparatus operated isoperibolically to obtain thermal corrections for heat loss. It is based on the Direct Byte (D-B) finite element computer simulation technique (FEST) applied to the heat conduction behavior of the instrument with time. Thermal constants of the numerical model are determined, and the results of the correction for titration data obtained from acid-base runs show that a constant upper baseline is achieved using this technique for both fast and slow reactions to an accuracy of 2%. The method is equally valid for endothermic and exothermic reactions.