OBJECTIVE :

To study the Fouriers Law on linear and radial conduction heat transfer.
Illustrate the transfer of heat by conduction in solid materials while varying the
parameters affecting conduction.

INTRODUCTION:
Thermal conduction is a mode of heat transfer which occurs in a material due to the
presence of temperature gradient. It is a transfer of energy from the more energetic particles to
the adjacent less energetic particles.
Generally, heat is defined as energy transfer due to the temperature gradients or
difference between two points. Heat energy can be transferred in three modes, which are
conduction, convection, and radiation. One of the most common heat transfer modes, which is
conduction heat transfer, is defined as heat transferred by molecules that travel a very short
distance (~0.65<m) before colliding with another molecule and exchanging energy.
In this experiment, both linear and radial conduction heat transfer methods are studied.
The entire system (insulated heater/specimen, air and laboratory enclosure) are at room
temperature initially (t = 0). The heater generates uniform heat flux as switched on.
For linear conduction, an electrical heating element, which comprises of a heat input
section fabricated from brass fitted with an electrical heater, is bonded to one end of a metal rod
(heat source). Another end of the rod, which is also made of brass, is exposed to heat discharge
(heat sink). The outer surface of the cylindrical rod is well insulated; thus yielding onedimensional linear heat conduction in the rod once the heating element is switched on.
Thermocouples are embedded in the rod, along its centerline. A simple mimic diagram for heat
conduction along a well-insulated cylindrical rod is shown as below:

For radial conduction, the electrical heating element is bonded to the center part of a
circular brass plate (heat source). The cooling water flows through the edge of the plate that acts
as a heat sink for heat discharge. The other surfaces of the plate are well insulated to simulate

radial heat conduction from the plate center to its edge when the heating element is switched on.
The brass plate has a radius, r plate = 60 mm and thickness, t = 3.2 mm. Thermocouples are
embedded in the circular plate. A simple mimic diagram for heat conduction along a wellinsulated circular plate is shown as below:

EQUIPMENT :
The Heat Conduction Study Bench
PROCEDURE :
Part A Linear Conduction along a Homogeneous and Composite Bar.
1. The power cable for the Cylindrical Test Unit was connected to the display unit.
2. The 25mm diameter brass specimen was clamped into the intermediate section of the
linear module. The thermal paste was applied to the surfaces to ensure proper contact.
3. The thermocouples were inserted into their respective slots.
4. The equipment was turned on by turning the main power knob clockwise.
5. The water flow was set to 1.4L/min.
6. By looking at the display, the Cylindrical Test Unit was selected by pressing ESC and the
pressing the F1 button.
7. The heater is switched on and the power is set to 10 W.
8. The temperatures were monitored through the display unit until the temperatures achieve
steady state condition.
9. The temperatures were recorded and the thermal conductivity obtained.
10. The heater is switched off after recording the results and before changing the specimen.
11. Steps 2 to 10 were repeated by using 25mm stainless steel and 16 mm diameter brass
specimen.
Part B Radial Conduction along Circular Metal Plate.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The power cable for the Radial Test Unit was connected to the display unit.
The thermocouples were inserted into their respective slots.
The water flow was set to 1.4 L/min.
The system was set to Radial Test Unit.
The heater was switched on and the power was set to 10 W.

6. The temperatures were being monitored through the display unit until the temperatures
reaches steady state condition.
7. The temperatures were recorded and the thermal conductivity obtained.
8. The heater is switched off after the recording. The power was switched off after T1 is less
than 50 C.

RESULTS:
Linear Conduction:

Power (W)
Specimen
T1 (C)
T2 (C)
T3 (C)
T4 (C)
T5 (C)
T6 (C)
T7 (C)
T8 (C)
Theoretical Thermal
Conductivity
(W/m.K)

10
25mm diameter
Brass
48.1
47.1
45.8
43.1
25.2
24.8
23.6
23.1
20.4

10
16mm diameter
Brass
45.9
45.3
44.3
30.3
25.5
24.5
23.9
23.1
71.4

k(W/m.K)
25mm
Diameter Brass

16mm
Diameter Brass

254.6
305.5
41.8
78.3
92.6
277.7
3055.0

218.2
436.4
26.1
173.6
101.8
305.5
3055.0

25mm
Diameter
Stainless Steel
235.0
381.9
28.3
47.0
34.3
339.4
3055.0

10
25mm diameter
Stainless Steel
47.8
47
46
38.6
31.2
25.6
22.9
22.3
42.6

Distance (mm)
0.0
15.0
30.0
45.0
60.0
75.0
90.0
105.0

Radial Conduction :
Power (W)
R1 (C)
R2 (C)
R3 (C)
R4 (C)
R5 (C)
R6 (C)
Theoretical
Thermal
Conductivity
(W/m.K)

k(W/m.K)
86.0
73.5
551.6
25.1
68.9

GRAPHS :
Linear Conduction

10
37.5
32.8
33.0
31.8
27.1
25.4
106.7

Distance (mm)
10.0
15.0
25.0
35.0
45.0
55.0

Temparature Vs Distance
(25mm diameter brass)
60
50
Temparature

40
Temparature (C)

30
20
10
0
0

15

30

45

60

75

90 105

Temparature Vs Distance
(16mm diameter brass)

Temparature

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0

Temparature

15

30

45

60

75

90

105

Temparature Vs Distance
(25 mm diameter stainless steel)
60
50
40

Temparature

30
20
10
0
0

15

30

45

60

75

90

105

Radial Conduction

Temparature Vs Distance
(radial conduction)
40
35
30
25

Temparature

Axis Title 20
15
10
5
0
10

15

25

35

45

55

CALCULATIONS :
Linear Conduction
A

2
d
4

Area, A of Brass & Steel (D = 25mm)

A = 3.142 (0.0252)/4
= 4.91 x 10-4 m2
Area, A of Brass (D = 16mm)
A = 3.142 (0.0162)/4
= 2.01 x 10-4 m2
To calculate the thermal conductivity, k using the Fouriers Law as below:

Using area, A and each specimen temperature that had been determined thus, thermal
conductivity of each specimen: (at T4 and T5)
i

25mm Brass
10.0W = k (4.91x10-4 m2)(33.3-36.1) C
0.015m
k = 78.3 W/m. C

ii

16mm Brass
10.0W = k (2.01 x 10-4 m2)(39.0-34.7) C
0.015m
k = 173.6 W/m. C

iii

25mm Stainless Steel

10.0W = k (4.91x10-4 m2)(41.2-34.7) C
0.015m
k = 47.0 W/m. C

Radial Conduction

10 W = k 2 (0.01m)(27.4-25.8) C
ln(0.02 / 0.01)
k = 68.9 W/m. C
The percentage error (between calculated results and experimental results)
Linear conduction:
25mm brass
% error = | 78.3 78.6 |

X 100%

78.3
= 0.38 %
16mm brass
% error = | 173.6 71.3 |

X 100%

173.6
= 58.93 %
25mm stainless steel
% error = | 47.0 46.4 |

X 100%

47.0
= 1.28 %
Radial Conduction:
% error = | 86.0 126.5 |

X 100%

86.0
= 47.09 %

DISCUSSIONS :
This experiment is about heat conduction in metals and heat conduction in different
coordinates. This experiment has two parts. The first part is about linear heat conduction along a
homogeneous and composite bar. Students need to experiment three type of specimens, which
are 25mm diameter brass and stainless steel and 16mm diameter brass. In the second part of the
experiment, students need to experiment the radial heat conduction in a metal plate. Heat is
supplied for both parts; in the linear conduction part, the heat is being supplied at the left end of
the bar and for radial conduction part, the heat is being supplied in the middle of the circular
metal plate. Cooling water is also applied at the edge of each part as a heat sink.
The theory says that as we go further from the heat source, the heat will become less.
Similarly, in this experiment when the position of the thermocouple is further from the heat
source, the temperature reading will become smaller. This condition follows the theory that
stated the conduction heat transfer will occur when there is a temperature gradient. In this

experiment, the higher temperature gradient is created by the heater and the lower gradient
temperature is made by the cooling water.
Referring to the results, it shows that the results appears to follows the Fouriers Law of
Conduction as the temperature readings keep decreasing as it goes from T1 to T8. Some of the
percentage errors of the thermal conductivity value are quite large. It may due to the lack of
equipment and the lack of awareness of the equipments usability.
Last but not least, there are some precautions that need to be taken when doing this
experiment. Give the equipment some time before taking the temperature readings. This is done
to make the system in steady state condition. In steady state condition, the temperature readings
are stable and constant. This will give a better accuracy in the calculations. In addition, the
connections of the thermocouples need to be firm. The reading will be affected by the
surrounding temperature and it makes the experiment inaccurate.

CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, the Fouriers Law of Conductivity is certainly well studied on linear and
radial conduction heat transfer and the values of thermal conductivity of certain materials had
been calculated. The transfer of heat by conduction is well illustrated in this experiment where
heat is being transferred in solid material which is in metal bar and metal plate. Thus, the
objective is achieved.