EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

EXPERIMENT NO. 9 TITLE: HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the heat conduction along a homogeneous bar. (2) Determine the heat conduction along a composite bar or wall, and to evaluate the overall heat transfer coefficient. INTRODUCTION The mechanism of the heat transfer design principles would be subsequently treated according to the modes of heat transfer, conduction, convection, and radiation. In this experiment the principle of conduction heat transfer based on Fouriers law would be associated with the rate of heat transfer, thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance. The heat conduction topic would be treated according to some geometry such as plane or cylindrical wall or bar. In this experiment the heat conduction study bench consists of two electrically heated modules mounted on a bench support frame. One module contains a cylindrical metal bar arrangement for a variety of linear conduction experiments while the other consists of a disc for radial conduction experiment. Both test modules are equipped with an array of temperature sensors. Cooling water, to be supplied from a standard laboratory tap is fed to one side of the test pieces in order to maintain a steady temperature gradient. The apparatus may also be used to measure thermal conductivity of various solid materials, by clamping a sample of specific dimensions between the hot and cold elements. Thermal conduction is the mode of heat transfer, which occurs in a material by virtue of a temperature gradient. A solid is chosen for the demonstration of pure conduction since both liquids and gases exhibit excessive convection heat transfer. In a practical situation, heat conduction occurs in three dimensions, a complexity which often requires extensive computation to analyze. In the laboratory, a single dimensional approach is required to demonstrate the basic law that relates of heat flow to temperature gradient and area. The heat conduction study bench consists of two electrically heated modules mounted on a bench support frame. One module contains a cylindrical metal bar arrangement for a variety of linear conduction experiments while the other consists of a disc for radial conduction experiment. Both test modules are equipped with an array of temperature sensors. Cooling water, to be supplied from a standard laboratory tap is fed to one side of the test pieces in order to maintain a steady temperature gradient.

The instrumentation provided permits accurate measurement of temperature and power

supply. Fast response temperature probes, with a resolution of 0.1C. The power control circuit provides a continuously variable electrical output of 0-100 watts. All the
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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

temperature and power readings are interface to the computer by a set of I/O modules. Computer will display the direct reading of the temperature sensors and power input to the heater for ease of monitoring and data acquisition. The test modules are designed to minimize errors due to true three-dimensional heat transfer. The basic principles of conduction can be shown without knowledge of radiation or convection heat transfer. The linear test piece is supplied with interchangeable samples of conductors and insulators to demonstrate the effects of area, conductivity and series combinations. Contact resistance may also be investigated, and the important features of unsteady state conditions may be demonstrated. The apparatus may also be used to measure thermal conductivity of various solid materials, by clamping a sample of specific dimensions between the hot and cold elements.

A practical works associated with the heat conduction have to fulfill a number of
requirements, therefore, the safety factor has to be considered as described in term of the safety precaution. High voltage exists in the unit and if there are accessible in the control panel, the unit has to be switched off and return to the supplier for any servicing. There are some points, really, should be considered as follows, in time when the unit in operation. 1. Turn off the power supply to the control panel before connecting the heater Power plug. 2. Never splash water to the control panel this will caused body injury and Damage to the equipment. 3. Never use your bare hand to test the AC power supply. It may cause Hazardous injury. 4. Do not operate the head conduction bench where explosive vapors or Flammable materials exist. Death or serious injury could result.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the theoretical conduction heat transfer study principle that would be explained as when a temperature gradient exits in a body, there is an energy transfer from the high temperature region to low temperature region. We say that the energy is transferred by Conduction and the heat transfer rate per unit area (Q/A) is proportional to the normal temperature gradient as follows. Therefore, the rate of heat transfer per unit area proportional to the temperature gradients. dT (Q / A) . . dx dT Fouriers law is therefore defined as, (Q / A) = K . dx

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Where k = Conduction heat transfer coefficient or Thermal conductivity of the Material in w/mK and Q = heat transfer rate (w/s)

dT = Temperature gradient in the direction of the heat flow. dx A = Solid cross-section area.

T1

1 2

qx x1 solid bar The cross-section area A A = r2

Circle

Q x2

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the theoretical conduction heat transfer

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION The equipment comprises two heat-conducting specimens, a multi-section bar for the examination of linear conduction and a metal disc for radial conduction. A control panel provides electrical and power digital for display heaters in the specimens. LINEAR MODULE Fouriers Law of heat conduction is the most simply demonstrated with the linear Conduction module. This comprises a heat input section fabricated from brass fitted with an electrical heater. Three thermistor temperature sensors are installed at 10mm intervals along the working section which has a diameter of 25mm. A separate heat sink section also of brass is cooled at one end by running water while its working section is also fitted with thermistor temperature sensors at 10mm intervals. The heat input section and the heat sink section may be clamped

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

directly together to form a continuous brass bar with temperature sensor at 10mm intervals, alternatively any one of three intermediate section can be fitted between these two. The first of these is a 30mm length of the same material (brass)and is the same diameter as the input and heat sink sections and is again fitted with thermistor sensors at 10mm intervals. This section is clamped between the two basic sections forms a relatively long uniform bar with nine regularly spaced temperature sensors. The second center section, which may be fitted, is again brass and 30mm long but has a diameter of 13mm and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This section allows a study of the effect of a reduction in the cross-section of the heatconducting path. The third center section which may be fitted is of stainless steel and has the same dimensions as the first brass section. No temperature sensors are fitted. This section allows the study of the effect of a change in the material while maintaining a constant cross-section. The mating ends of the five sections are finely finished to promote good thermal contact although heat-conducting compound may be smeared over the surfaces to reduce thermal resistance. The heat-conducting properties of insulators may be found by simply inserting a thin specimen between the heated and cooled metal sections. An example of such an insulator is a piece of paper. Heat losses from the linear module are reduced to a minimum by a heat-resistant casing enclosing an air space around the module. The interchangeable center sections have their own attached casing pieces which fit with those of the heat input and heat sink sections. The thermistor temperature sensors are connected to miniature plugs fitted to the casing and connection from the sensors to the temperature input module is made via nine sensor leads fitted with appropriate sockets. RADIAL MODULE The radial conduction module comprises a brass disc 110mm diameter and 3mm thick heated in the center by an electrical heater and cooled by cold water in a circumferential copper tube. Thermistor temperature sensors are fitted to the center of the disc and at 10mm intervals along a radius there being six in all. Again heat losses are minimized by preserving an air gap around the disc with a heat-resistant casing. As in the linear module, the thermistor connections are brought out to plugs in the casing to which six sensor leads fitted with appropriate sockets may be connected to obtain the temperature readings on the computer.

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

CONTROL PANEL Either of the heat-conduction modules may be connected to an control panel which allows the heater input power to be set and the temperature at any of the sensors to be shown in C on the computer. Heater power is controlled by a variable auto transformer and displayed on a digital indicator. Power outputs from 0 to 100 watts may be obtained.

SPECIFICATION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH The specification of the heat conduction study bench for both Linear module and Radial module are characterized as follows, a. Process equipment b. Process instrumentation c. Material of construction The specification can be illustrated in details according to the following points, 1. Brass fitted with electric heater. 2. Three thermistor temperature sensors are installed at 10mm intervals along the working section (Diameter =25mm). 3. Heat sink section made from brass is cooled at one end by running water while its working section is also fitted with thermistor temperature sensors at 10mm intervals. 4. The heat input section and the heat sink section may be clamped directly together to form a continuous brass bar with temperature sensor at 10mm intervals or alternatively any one of the three intermediate section can be fitted between these two. The first of these is a 30mm length of the same material brass and is the same diameter as the heat input and heat sink sections and is again fitted with thermistor sensors at 10mm intervals. 5. A relatively long uniform bar with nine regularly spaced temperature sensors may be formed due to the above section is clamped between the two basic sections. 6. The second center section fitted with brass (length=30mm and diameter=13mm) and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This allows a study of the effect of reduction in the cross-section of the heat-conducting path.

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

7. Third center section fitted of stainless steel (length=30mm and diameter=13mm) and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This allows the study of the effect of a change in the material while maintaining a constant cross-section. 8. The mating ends of the five sections are finely finished to promote good thermal contact although heat-conducting compound may be smeared over the surfaces to reduce thermal resistance. 9. The properties of the heat conducting of the insulators may be found by simply inserting a thin specimen between the heated and cooled metal sections. An example a piece of paper as an insulator can be used. 10. A heat-resistant casing enclosing an air space around the module is used to reduce to minimum the heat losses from the linear module. The interchangeable center sections have their own attached casing pieces, which fit with those of the heat input and sink sections. 11. The thermistor temperature sensors are connected to miniature plugs which are fitted to the casing and connection from the sensors to the temperature input module are made via nine sensors leads fitted with appropriate sockets. 12. For the radial conduction module comprises a brass disc 110mm and 3mm thick heated in the center by an electrical heater and cooled by cold water in a circumferential copper tube. Thermistor temperature sensors are fitted to the center of the disc and at 10mm intervals along a radius there being six in all. Again preserving an air gap around the disc with a heat-resistant casing minimizes heat losses. As in the linear module the thermistor connections are brought out to plugs in the casing to which six sensor leads fitted with appropriate sockets may be connected to obtain the temperature readings on the computer. 13. Either of the heat-conduction modules may be connected to an control panel which allows the heater input power to be set and the temperature at any of the sensors to be shown in C on the computer. 14. Heater power is controlled by a variable autotransformer and displayed on a digital indicator. Power outputs from 0 to 100 watts may be obtained.

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

PRE-LAB TEST : 1). Describe the experiment in your own words 2). Plot the temperature profile along the length of the core will result in a set of dT straight lines having approximately the same slope dx 3). Use the value of this slope in part 2 to determine the thermal conductivity of the bar used (brass) by using the following relationship, Q dx k= A dT 4) Appropriate factor should be introduced to convert the results to normally accepted Units for thermal conductivity k (as w/mk). 5) The result obtained should be compared to typical values for brass contained in Tables of published data. 6) Calculate the coefficient of thermal conductivity k for each material. 7) Calculate the overall heat transfer coefficient for the composite wall U. 8) Calculate the rate of the heat transfer through each slabs and compare the results with the reading obtained from the wattmeter for each slab.

EXPERIMENTS It would be advisable to note that before starting any experiments, make sure that you have read and understood the safety and the operating procedures. This includes the safety instructions, the safety schedule and the general start-up procedure. The complete safety and operating procedure are available in the appendix at the end of this lab manual for your reference. Please read them carefully.

EXPERIMENT NO.1 OBJECTIVES: The objective of this experiment is to determine the heat conduction along a homogeneous bar. THEORY: The rate of the heat transfer per unit time (Q) by conduction through a plane Wall of thickness (dx) and cross-section area (A) supports a temperature

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difference (dT) is found to be, according to Fouriers law, as

dT dx If the material of the plane wall is homogeneous and has a thermal conductivity dT (k) Then: Q = A k dx It should be noted that heat flow is positive in the direction of temperature fall.

QA

PROCEDURES i). Insert an intermediate section into the linear module and clamp together. ii). Connect one of the water tubes to the water supply and other to drain. iii). Connect the heater supply lead for the linear conduction module into the power supply socket on the control panel. iv). The nine sensors leads must be connected to the nine plugs on top of the linear conduction module. Connect the left-hand sensor lead from the module to the place marked TT1 on the control panel. Repeat this procedure for the remaining eight sensor leads, connecting them from left to right on the module and in numeral order on the control panel. v). The Auto/OFF switch has to be checked on the electrical console is in the off position. vi). The water supply has to be turned on and ensuring that water is flowing from the free end of the water pipe to drain. vii). The heater power control knob in the control panel has to be rotated to the fully anticlockwise position. viii).The main Auto/OFF switch has to be set to the Auto position when the digital reading outs will be illuminated. ix). The D-shell 9 pin connector has to be connected from the control panel to the computers com 2. x). The computer has to be switched on and then loading the heat conduction experiment software. xi). When assembling the sample between the heater and the cooler care must be taken to match the shallow shoulders in the housings. Also ensure that the temperature measurement points are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the unit.

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

DATA SHEET Test No. Wattmeter Q watts TT1 C TT2 C TT3 C TT4 C TT5 C TT6 C TT7 C TT8 C TT9 C

A B C D

TEMP. IN C D C B A TT1 TT2 TT3 TT4 TT5 TT6 TT7 TT8 TT9

EXPERIMENT 2 OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this experiment are to determine the heat conduction along a composite bar or wall and evaluating the overall heat transfer coefficient. THEORY: The rate of heat transfer per unit area flows through successive slabs is the same. Therefore from Fouriers law,

T THI T TCI T TCS Q = k H HS = k S HI = k C CI A XH XS XC Q From which it follows that = U (THS TCS ) A

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Where

1 XH XS XC = + + U kH kS kC

Therefore U is the overall heat transfer coefficient for the composite wall and 1/U = Resistances. Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram of the composite wall.

Material S

Material H

Material C

Q
XH XS XC

THS

THI

TCI

TCS

Figure 2: This figure shows the schematic diagram of composite wall of material H, S, and C in order to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient U for the wall.

PROCEDURES: i) The procedures are the same as in experiment no.1, but six sensor leads are connected to the plugs on top of the linear conduction module (TT1, TT2, TT3, andTT7, TT8, TT9). Connecting the left-hand sensor lead from the module to the place marked TT1 on the control panel. Repeating this procedure for the remaining five sensors leads, connecting them from left to right on the module and in numeral order on the control panel. Then the rest of the other points in the procedures are the same as in experiment 1.

ii)

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EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

DATA SHEET Test No. A B C D Watt meter 0C TT1 0C TT2 0C TT3 0C TT7 0C TT8 0C TT9 0C

D C B A

TT1

TT2

TT3

TT7

TT8

TT9

REFERENCES 1. 2. Holman, J.P., Heat Transfer, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1992. Incropera, F.P., and Dewitt, D.P., Fundamentals of heat and mass transfer, J. Wiley and sons, New York, 1996. 3. Kern, D.Q., and A.D. Kraus, Extended surface heat transfer, McGraw-Hill book Co., New York, 1972.

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