Setaflash Flash Point Tester

Hazards Laboratory
Michigan Tech University
Room 207 Chemical Sciences

A view looking down on the Setaflash. The LCD screen on the left displays the temperature. The small bottle in the upper middle is a butane container used to fuel the small test flame. The shutter and flame assembly are on the right. The liquid is poured into a small chamber below the assembly on the right.
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Purpose

The purpose of the Setaflash flash point tester is to determine the flash point temperature of flammable liquids. Above the flash point temperature, a liquid is capable of producing enough vapor to form a flammable mixture with air. This is important information for the safe transportation, storage and use of flammable liquids.

Operation

The unit is first heated to a candidate flash point temperature. This is done automatically using the internal heating and control system. When the desired temperature is achieved, a measured amount of liquid is added to the device and a timer is started. After a delay, the timer sounds and the shutter control is pressed, opening the shutter and moving the flame close to the liquid. If the temperature is above the flash point temperature, a flash will occur. If it is below, no flash will occur. A new temperature is specified and the test is repeated until the flash point temperature is precisely defined.

A close-up of the head assembly. The lever at the bottom is used to open the apparatus to add the liquid. The lever on the right is used to open the shutter (seen near the middle) and lower the flame.