Transactions of the ASAE · 1985 · 67 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesAnimal SciencesPhysiologyBioenergeticsCombustionHeat TransferCaloric TestingCalorimetryMetabolic RateBarometric MeasurementBarometric Pressure MeasurementDirect CalorimetryLampsOxygen Concentration EffectsOxygen Content Analysis
A three‑chamber indirect calorimeter operating from 5 to 40 °C was constructed for use on swine, sheep, and baby calves. The system measures O₂ consumption and CO₂ and CH₄ production every 10 minutes, averaging gaseous exchange volumes over the entire operation period. The calorimeter achieved 98.0–103.5 % of the expected gaseous exchange during alcohol‑lamp combustion, with oxygen analysis, gas‑volume measurement, and barometric‑pressure errors contributing 89 % of total error and an overall expected error of 3.45–5.58 % depending on chamber oxygen concentration.
ABSTRACT Athree chamber, indirect calorimeter which operates over the range of 5 to 40 C was constructed for use on swine, sheep and baby calves. The calorimeter measures 02 consumption and C02 and CH4 production at 10-min intervals, and provides an average measurement of gaseous exchange volumes over the total period of operation. A range of 98.0 to 103.5% of the expected quantity of gaseous exchange was measured with the calorimeter system as the result of combustion of alcohol using modified alcohol lamps in the calorimeters. Errors in oxygen analysis, gas volume measurement and barometric pressure account for 89% of the total system error. Expected system error ranges from 3.45 to 5.58% depending on the oxygen concentration maintained in the calorimeter chamber.