EXPERIMENT 1

HEAT CONDUCTION

OBJECTIVES

To examine the temperature profile and determine the rate of heat transfer resulting from radial heat
conduction through the wall of a cylinder.
To investigate the influence of thermal insulation upon the conduction of heat between adjacent
metals.

KEYWORDS

Heat Conduction, Fourier's Law, Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient

OVERVIEW

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 Fourier's 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.

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1. INTRODUCTION

This experiment will study data from two type of heat conduction configuration i.e. linear
and radial module. 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. Computer will display the direct reading of the temperature sensors and power input to the
heater for ease of monitoring and data acquisition.

2. THEORY

2.1 Linear Conduction Heat Transfer

dx

dT

Figure 1: Linear temperature distribution

It is often necessary to evaluate the heat flow through a solid when the flow is not steady

e.g. through the wall of a furnace that is being heated or cooled. To calculate the heat flow under these
conditions it is necessary to find the temperature distribution through the solid and how the distribution

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varies with. Using the equipment set-up already described, it is a simple matter to monitor the
temperature profile variation during either a heating or cooling cycle thus facilitating the study of
unsteady state conduction.

KH Ks Kc
THS

THI

TCl

XH XS
XC

Figure 2: Linear temperature distribution of different materials

Fourier's Law states that:

kAdt 1
Q
dx

where,

Q = heat flow rate, [W]

k = thermal conductivity of the material,
A = cross-sectional area of the conduction, [m2]
dT = changes of temperature between 2 points, [K]
dx = changes of displacement between 2 points, [m]

From continuity the heat flow rate (Q) is the same for each section of the conductor. Also the
thermal conductivity (k) is constant (assuming no change with average temperature).

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Hence :
A H ( dT) A S (dT) A C (dT )
.. (2)
(dx H ) ( dx S ) (dx C )

i.e. the temperature gradient is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area.

Ac
AH
Ac
Q

XH Xs Xc

Figure 3: Temperature distribution with various cross-sectional areas

2.2 Radial Conduction Heat Transfer (Cylindrical)

Ti Temperature Distribution

To

Ri Ro

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 Ri Ro

Figure 4: Radial temperature distribution

When the inner and outer surfaces of a thick walled cylinder are each at a uniform temperature, heat
rows radially through the cylinder wall. From continuity considerations the radial heat flow through
successive layers in the wall must be constant if the flow is steady but since the area of successive layers
increases with radius, the temperature gradient must decrease with radius.

The amount of heat (Q), which is conducted across the cylinder wall per unit time, is:

2Lk( Ti To )
Q
R . (3)
ln o
Ri

where,

Q = heat flow rate, [W]

L = thickness of the material, [m]

W
k = thermal conductivity of the material,
Km
Ti = inner section temperature, [K]
To = outer section temperature, [K]
Ro = outer radius, [m]
Ri = inner radius, [m]

2.3 Heat Conduction with Insulation

When two surfaces are in contact, paths of thermal conduction exist only across those points
where actual physical contact accursed on the microscopic scale and the degree of thermal contact

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 depends on the respective surface finishes. Air trapped in the gaps between each surface acts as a
thermal insulator resulting in a temperature step in the conduction path. This can be reduced by the
use of conducting compound, which fills the air spaces and provides improved thermal contact.

Brass Brass

Insulation
Material

Figure 5: Material with insulation material

3. SAFETY PRECAUTION
1. You must familiarize yourself with the electrical control before start of experiment.

2. Water must flow at all time during the experiment.

3. Make sure that the power is on OFF position before start of experiment.

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4. EXPERIMENTS
The apparatus is shown in figure 6.

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 Figure 6: Schematic of the Heat Conduction Apparatus

Experiment 1:
To examine the temperature profile and determine the rate of heat transfer resulting
from radial stead conduction through the wall of a cylinder.

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 Figure 7

1. Connect one of the water tubes to the water supply and the other to drain.
2. Connect the heater supply lead for the radial conduction module into the power supply socket on the
control panel.
3. Connect the six sensor (TT1, 2,3 & 7,8,9) leads to the radial module, with the TT1 connected to the
innermost plug on the radial.
4. Rotate the heater power control knob control panel to the fully anticlockwise position.
5. Set the power to the Auto position.
6. Set the heater power to 20 Watts and allow sufficient time for a steady state condition.
7. Record the temperature at all six sensor points and the input power reading on the wattmeter(Q).
8. This procedure should be repeated for other input power up to the maximum permitted (when
T=100oC).
9. After each change, sufficient time must be allowed to achieve steady state conditions.

Results:

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 Test No. Wattmeter Q TT1 C TT2 C TT3 C TT7 C TT8 C TT9 C
watts
A 10

B 15
C 20

Experiment 2:

To investigate the influence of thermal insulation upon the conduction of heat between
adjacent metals.

Figure 8

1. Make sure that the power is in the OFF position.

2. Insert a brass conductor (30mm diameter) section into the linear module and clamp together.

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 3. Place an insulating material (eg. Paper) in between the specimen section and cold section.
4. Connect one of the water tubes to the water supply and the other to drain.
5. Connect the heater supply lead for the line conduction module into the power supply
socket on the control panel.

6. Connect the six sensor leads (TT1, 2, 3 & 7, 8, 9) to the plugs on top of the linear conduction
module.
7. Rotate the heater power control knob control panel to the fully anticlockwise position.

8. Set the power to the Auto position.

9. Set the heater power to 20 Watts and allow sufficient time for a steady state condition.
10. Record the temperature at all six sensor points and the input power reading on the
Wattmeter (Q).
11. This procedure should be repeated for other input power up to the maximum permitted
(when T= 100C).

Results:

Wattmeter Q, Insulator TT1 C TT2 C TT3 C TT4 C TT5 C TT6 C TT7 C TT8 C TT9 C
(watts)

10 Paper
10 Cork

10 Blank

5.0 TUTORIALS

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 Experiment 1
1. Plot of the temperature, T versus distance, r. Calculate the thermal conductivity, k.

Experiment 2
1. Plot the temperature profile in the heater and cooler to determine the temperature gradient
across the insulating disc. Determine the thermal conductivity of paper and cork.
2. Comment the influence of insulators upon the conduction of heat transfer between the heater and
the cooler.
3. How this material can inhibit conduction?

4. Suggest practical uses for insulating materials.

REFERENCES

1. Holman, J.P., Heat Transfer, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1992.

2. Incropera, F.P., and Devvitt, 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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