ME 323

Heat Transfer, Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

Spring 2014
Course Project
(Distributed on March 31, 2014 Presentation and final report is due on
May 19, 2014)



1. Objective:
This term Project has several goals for the students to achieve and demonstrate technical
features as the following;
To identify the flow region of a particular fluid passing through test specimen
according to the given velocity values.
To evaluate the effect of a fan in thermal solutions by comparing with purely natural
convection measurements taken from the same set-up without a fan.
To investigate the effect of temperature on the pressure and flow rate.
To observe the percentage of waste heat through the system and consider to regain that
loss by generating electricity via peltier modules.
Develop a systematic engineering solution to report it.
Non-technical gains due to the project are;
Develop a teamwork attitude and perform well.
Create a technical report presentable to hiring managers or graduate advisors
Present results with convincing data and skills.

2. Equipment:
The test set-up consists of a long smooth square channel made of plexiglass housing
(channel), a centrifugal fan, a heater, a heat sink, peltier modules, as well as thermocouples
and pressure measurement sensors. One half of the channel is connected to the suction side of
a centrifugal fan via a conical inlet duct, while the other half is open to atmosphere. The
generated heat from the heater transferred through the heat sink and released to air inside the
channel and also some part of it will be converted to electricity by the help of peltier modules.
Temperature and pressure values at different locations along the channel will be determined.


Figure 1: Schematic of the test set-up

3. Theory:

Temperature and pressure are difficult concepts to understand, and to describe. While, the
measurement of temperature is generally achieved by placing a temperature-sensitive probe or
indicator in contact with the body to be measured such as thermocouples, which relies on the
existence of an electromotive force across the junction of two unlike metals. Here the internal
temperature of a solid body (heat sink) is required, thus, it will be necessary to drill a hole
from the bottom surface of heat sink to permit insertion of temperature sensors. Moreover, the
waste heat through the system is aimed to convert to a useful type of energy via thermo
electrics.
On the other hand the pressure on a certain point can be accurately measured with the help of
an inclined manometer or pressure transducers. Pressure gages will be used for pressure
measurements.

4. Student work plan
Students will be given the following parts to combine as a team (2 Students per Group)

3 T type thermocouples
1 kapton heater
1 kapton heater
1 Al heat sink
Plexi-glass holder
4 Thermo electrics (Peltier Modules)

Students will assemble the heat sink test samples themselves, or they can use their own
samples from last semester. Experiments will be prepared in the Energy Tecnologies
Laboratory (419). Please make necessary arrangement with our TA (give him at least 1 day
advanced notice to work in the lab and get his agreement). There will not be any lab working
hours during weekends and after 5:00 pm as well as before 9:00 am.

4. Procedure:

1. You have already completed your experimental set-up as shown in above; please
make sure that you also assembled the peltier modules.
2. Make sure all the electrical equipment are ON before starting experiment
3. Check what are the settings for the DC power supplies (make sure I=0 and V=0)
4. Connect your thermocouples to data logger
5. Connect your heater to DC power supply
6. Connect your fan to DC power supply
7. Wait for 15 minutes and complete your initial set up
8. At first, switch on the heater, but leave the fan OFF (there you will have purely
natural convection) and take initial readings for pressure from A and B points and
also for the temperatures from 4 different places (3 are from the bottom side of heat
sink and the fourth will be taken at the channel in the air).
9. Take great care to obtain reasonably comparable results from both calculations and
measurements taken from the experiment.
10. Take readings for 4 selected points below 80 C (you are free to chose temperatures
below 80 C. For example, 30 C, 45 C, 60 C, and 80 C suggested points)

a) Note temperature data
b) Note heater power (V,I)
c) Note pressure data from gauges
d) Fan power
11. Now you completed free convection experiments
12. Then, turn ON the fan there will be forced convection heat transfer
13. Take great care to obtain reasonably comparable results from both calculations and
measurements taken from the experiment.
14. Take readings for 4 selected points below 80 C (you are free to chose temperatures
below 80 C. For example, 30 C, 45 C, 60 C, and 80 C suggested points)

a) Note temperature data
b) Note heater power (V,I)
c) Note pressure data from gauges
d) Fan power
15. Now you also completed forced convection experiments
16. Simultaneously, you can calculate the Reynolds Number to identify the flow region
and also for the friction number, and then calculate the pressure drop between A and
B points (Please utilize EES for extra 15 points).

5. Analysis and Discussion

Plot graphs of each temperature readings for natural and forced convection cases and
also try to discuss the differences in between both cases.
Did you save any part of waste energy? Do you prefer to use peltier modules for such
goals, if not please provide some comments supporting your idea.
Describe the pressure difference between the A and B points. Can we accept the
temperature difference as the main/only reason for this behavior on pressure, if yes/no
provide strong evidence for your idea?
Are your calculated and measured results matching/mismatching? If yes/no what can
be the reasons for that please clarify your idea. Comment on the suitability of each
device for temperature and pressure measurement. Discuss the advantages and
limitations of each device, including comments on ease of measurement and
robustness.

6. Grading
This project is very important for the final grade of the class. It will contribute 15% to the
final grade. The criteria/points for grading your project
Teamwork (20%)
Using material effectively (10%)
Demonstrating technical knowledge (35%)
Presentation (15%)
Report (20%)