Method and device for determining specific heat capacity

A method for determining the specific heat capacity of a medium with a calorimeter that comprises a reactor, a stirrer, a first thermostat for providing an inner heat balance, a second thermostat, a means for providing an outer heat balance and a central control unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying a modulated energy profile to the medium, which is arranged inside the reactor under near isothermal conditions;
• monitoring the energy changes that result from applying the energy profile, as a function of time, of at least one of:
• the medium, the reactor, the first thermostat, the second thermostat and the means for providing the outer heat balance;
• determining the inner and outer heat balances, independently from each other at predefined time intervals;
• and
• calculating, from the inner and outer heat balances, an overall heat transfer coefficient and the specific heat capacity of the medium, simultaneously and independently from each other, as a function of time.