Experiment 1

Aim: To understand the use of the Fourier Rate Equation in determining rate of heat flow
through solid materials from one dimensional, steady flow of heat.

Apparatus: Apparatus number H112A is used

Theory: The Linear Heat Conduction unit H112A allows the investigation of basic laws of
heat transfer by conduction through a solid. The H112A is dependent upon the Heat Transfer
service unit H112, for heater power and temperature measurement. The unit is mounted on a
base plate. The heat transfer module is cylindrical and mounted with its axis vertical to the
base plate. The heating section houses a 25 mm diameter cylindrical brass section with a
nominally 65 watt cartridge heater in the top end. Three fixed thermocouples T1, T2, T3 are
positioned along the heated section at 15 mm intervals. Two thermocouples T4, T5 are
positioned along the brass specimen at 15 mm intervals. Three fixed thermocouples T6, T7,
T8 are positioned along the cooled section at 15 mm intervals.

According to Fourier’s law of heat conduction: Q α A(∆T/∆X)

Where T= THot-TCold

X= XHot- XCold

Q = - kA(∆T/∆X)

“k” is known as Coefficient of thermal conductivity. Negative sign is used just to fulfil the
thermodynamics condition of heat travels in temperature fall direction and it is considered as
positive.

k = Q / A(∆T/∆X)

Procedure: Following the basic operating procedure, smear the faces of the heated and
cooled sections with thermal conducting paste and clamp them together with the Brass
Intermediate Specimen in place

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 Figure: Schematic representation of system produced

Again following the procedure, ensure the cooling water is flowing and then set the heated
voltage V to approximately 120 volts. This will provide a reasonable temperature gradient
along the length of the bar. If however the local cooling water supply is at a high temperature
(25-35 degrees Celsius or more) then it may be necessary to increase the voltage supplied to
the heater. This will increase the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends of the
bar.

Monitor temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, and T8 until stable.

When the temperatures are stabilised record: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, V, I

Increase the heater voltage by approximately 50 volts and repeat the above procedure again
recording the parameters T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, V, I when temperatures have
stabilised.

When completed, if no further experiments are to be conducted reduce the heater voltage to
zero and shut down the system.

Observations:

Sample No. T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 V I
°C °C °C °C °C °C °C °C Volts Amps
1 64.1 59.8 56.1 51.6 47.9 43.8 40.3 36.8 123 0.119
2 90.5 82.8 76.3 68.4 61.9 55 48.8 42.6 173 0.174
3 99.3 91.3 84.4 75.5 67.3 59.9 52.6 45.2 215 0.210
Distance from T1 0 0.015 0.030 0.045 0.06 0.075 0.090 0.105 - -

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Calculated Data:

Brass Intermediate specimen cross sectional area A = 0.00049 m2

Width of the specimen = 0.015 m

Heat supplied through the system = V*I

Sample No. Q ΔT1-3 ΔT4-5 ΔT6-8 ΔX1-3 ΔX4-5 ΔX6-8 k1-3 k4-5 k6-8
Watts K K K m m m W/mK W/mK W/mK
1 14.637 8 3.7 7 0.03 0.015 0.03 112.0179 121.1004 128.0204
2 30.102 14.2 6.5 12.4 0.03 0.015 0.03 129.7873 141.7677 148.6274
3 45.15 14.9 15.5 14.7 0.03 0.015 0.03 185.5225 89.17051 188.0466

Average thermal conductivity of the specimen:

(121.100 + 141.767+ 89.1705)/3 = 117.345 W/mK

Temperature Distribution
120

100

80

60 Q = 14.637 Watts
Temperature °C
Q = 30.102 Watts
40
Q = 45.15 Watts
20

0
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
Thermocouples

Result: Thermal conductivity of brass specimen came out to be 117.32W/mK which is quite
similar to the actual value i.e.121W/mK so the experiment proves the Fourier’s Law of heat
conduction.

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 Experiment 2

Aim: To measure the temperature distribution for steady state conduction of heat energy
through the wall of a thick cylinder (Radial energy flow) and demonstrate the effect of a
change in heat flow

Apparatus used: Radial Heat Conduction Unit H112B

Theory: The radial Heat Conduction unit H112B allows the basic laws of heat transfer by
conduction through a cylindrical solid to be investigated. The H112B is dependent upon the
Heat transfer Service Unit H112 for heater power and temperature measurement. The heat
transfer module comprises an insulated solid disc of brass (3.2mm thick x 110mm dia) with a
brass core (14mm diameter) and an electric heater at the centre. The brass disc is water
cooled around its circumference. The central heater is nominally rated at 110W and an
integral high temperature cut out (with automatic reset) prevents overloading. Power is
supplied by heat transfer Unit H112 via an 8 – pole plug and lead.

Six thermocouples T1, T2,…T6 are located at increasing radii from the heated centre to
record the temperature distribution across the disc. Water for the cooled circumference is
supplied from a local tap via the supplied hoses.

We know that according to Fourier’s law of heat conduction

Q = -KA(∆t/∆x)

Applying Fourier’s law to a cylinder we get

Q = -k 2 π r x (dT/dr)

Since Q is independent of r, by integration between Ri and Ro it can be shown that

K=

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Procedure: Ensure the cooling water is flowing and then set the heater voltage V to
approximately 100 volts. If however the local cooling water supply is at a high temperature
(25-35 degrees Celsius) then it may be necessary to increase the voltage supplied to the
heater. This will increase the temperature difference between the hot centre and cool
circumference of the disc.

Figure: Schematic representation of system

Monitor temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 until stable.

When the temperatures are stabilised record: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, V, I.

Increase the heater voltage by approximately 50 volts and repeat the above procedure again
recording the parameters T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, V, I when temperatures have stabilised.

If time is available, the procedure may be repeated further noting that the maximum safe
temperature for T1 is 100°C.

When completed, if no further experiments are to be conducted reduce the heater voltage to
zero and shut down the system.

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Temperature distribution:

Figure: Temperature distribution through the cylinder wall

Observations:

Sample No. T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 V I
°C °C °C °C °C °C Volts Amps
1 51.5 45.8 40.5 36.6 33.7 31.4 105 0.202
2 72.8 62.1 51.8 44.1 38.5 34.2 152 0.298
3 98.8 82 65.7 53.4 44.4 37.2 193 0.381
Radius 0.007 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 - -

Calculated Data:

Thickness of disc: 0.0032 m

(Q*ln(R6/R1))/(2*3.14*x (Q*ln(R3/R1))/(2*3.14*x (Q*ln(R6/R4))/(2*3.14*x

Sample No. Q = V x I
*(T1-T6)) *(T1-T3)) *(T4-T6))
W W/mK W/mK W/mK
1 21.21 103.18 100.67 103.63
2 45.296 114.73 112.6 112.8
3 73.533 116.72 115.99 115.32

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 Radial Temperature distribution at different heat input
rates
120

100

80

Temperature (°C) 60 Q = 21.21 Watts

40 Q = 45.296 Watts
Q = 73.533 Watts
20

0
0.007 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
Radius from heated disc centre (metres)

Conclusion: It may be seen that the thermal conductivity in every case is similar. Differences
occur due to heat losses from the specimens that are not accounted for and due to temperature
measurement errors.