Guidelines for Writing a Laboratory Report

In these sections, the required information (basic concepts – definitions, equations used, diagrams, calculations, answers to questions, conclusions, etc.) will be presented in a grouped and continuous manner. The following sections are suggested:

  1. Introduction

This section presents the subject and the objective (goal) of the laboratory report. Basic concepts and definitions related to the process being examined in the conducted laboratory exercise are provided.

This section may also include the answers to related questions (e.g., applications-uses).

This section should not be a direct reproduction of the theoretical content (such as the mathematical analysis of the process or observed phenomena). It is recommended to avoid simply copying the relevant texts from the suggested literature for each exercise. Instead, the content should be summarized and presented in a way that is tailored to the specific experiment.

  2. Flow Diagram

This section should include a detailed diagram of the experimental setup used in the laboratory exercise. The diagram should visually represent the entire system, showing all the instruments and devices that make up the apparatus. This may include components such as: Controllers and regulators, Valves, Pumps, Tubing and pipes, Computers and other data collection equipment. Each element should be labeled clearly, and the diagram should indicate the flow of materials or energy through the system, as well as any key connections between components. The diagram serves to help readers understand the configuration of the setup and its operation during the experiment

It is important to note that the use of "classic" flow diagram symbols or computational tools is not required. However, it is essential to include a "legend" that will clearly identify the names of all the instruments and devices depicted in the diagram. The legend should provide a clear reference to each labeled component, ensuring that the reader can easily understand the function and role of each part of the apparatus.

  3. Experimental Procedure

This section provides a detailed description of the steps and actions taken to collect the experimental measurements. The procedure should be presented in a clear and organized manner, outlining each action taken during the experiment. It is essential to include precise instructions to allow for the replication of the experiment. Any necessary safety precautions or conditions under which the experiment was conducted should also be mentioned. The experimental measurements collected should be presented in the form of a table, including relevant variables, time intervals, and any specific conditions under which the measurements were made. The table should provide enough detail for someone to understand the parameters of the experiment and the data collected at each step.

It should be noted that often the experimental procedure described in the laboratory exercise sheets is not detailed, and therefore, it is important to avoid simply copying it word for word. Instead, the procedure should be enriched with the actual actions taken during the experiment. This includes any adjustments, observations, or steps that were necessary to carry out the experiment properly, as well as any deviations from the prescribed procedure.

  4. Calculations - Results

All required calculations should be performed and the results presented (according to the requirements of each laboratory exercise). For each calculation, the following should be clearly stated: the assumptions, the equations used, the data (thermodynamic, technical, economic, etc.) that were used, as well as the source of this data (references).

  Discussion of Results – Conclusions

A brief “critique” of the results regarding the following: (a) The theory (e.g., diagrams) that governs the laboratory exercise. (b) The assumptions made during the experiment. (c) The comparison between the questions (where applicable). (d) Corresponding literature values.

Recording conclusions based on the conducted 'critique'. These conclusions may typically include aspects such as: the degree of representation of theoretical information, the capabilities of the experimental setup, the level of confidence in the experimental results (so that they can be used for the design of a corresponding industrial-scale setup), etc.

  References

Only the references from which information (findings, data, etc.) have been drawn and used in the laboratory report are listed. The presentation of the references can be done alphabetically, chronologically, or in the order they appear in the text.

To achieve this, it is essential within the text (where specialized bibliographic information is used) to indicate the reference number of the bibliographic source.

For example: The sphericity of cylindrical sand particles with a diameter of 650 μm is... ⁽¹⁾

Ways to cite references

Journals:

Tsami, E., Marinos-Kouris, D. and Maroulis, Z.B., 1990, Water Sorption Isotherms of Raisins, currants, Figs, Prunes and Apricots, Journal of Food Science, 55(6), pp. 1594-1597.

Books

Μαρίνος-Κουρής, Δ. και Παρλιάρου-Τσάμη, Ε., 1994, Ασκήσεις Φυσικών Διεργασιών, εκδόσεις Παπασωτηρίου, Αθήνα.

Books (part of)

Marinos-Kouris, D. and Maroulis, Z.B., 1995, Transport Properties in the Drying of Solids, in Handbook of Industrial Drying, Vol.1, 2nd ed., A.S. Mujumdar (ed.), Marcel Dekker Inc., pp. 113-160

Doctoral Theses

Polat, O., 1989, Through Drying of Paper, Phd Thesis, McGill University, Canada, pp. 143