Insulation Thickness of Hot Cup of Tea

Heat and Mass Transfer Lab Project Report

Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering Department

Muhammad Nabeel Khaliq BME143038

Syed Umer Ali Shah BME143029
Raja Arslan Shamshad BME143039
Saad Bin Sarfraz BME143004

Submitted to:
Miss.Shumaila Rasheed
Department of Mechanical Engineering
CUST, Islamabad

9thJune, 2017

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 Abstract

The project that has been assigned to our group was to find the critical thickness of insulation of
a cup using different insulating materials. We use two different materials i.e. aluminum foil and
polyurethane. We first find the insulation thickness and heat transfer rate of both materials and
then experimentally check that which material is a better insulator. Thus by experimental results
we conclude that polyurethane is a better insulator than aluminum foil.

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 Contents

1.0 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................... 5

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.0 Literature Review...5
4.0 Calculations............................................................................................................................... 6
4.1 Aluminum foil6
4.2 Polyurethane..8
5.0 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 9
6.0 Results and Discussion ............................................................................................................. 9
7.0 References ............................................................................................................................... 10
8.0 Appendices .............................................................................................................................. 11

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 List of Figures

Figure 1 Aluminum foil insulation .............................................................................................. 11

Figure 2 Polyurethane insulation ................................................................................................. 12

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1.0 Problem Statement

Find the critical insulation thickness of cup using different insulating materials like aluminum
foil, polystyrene (Styrofoam), Polyurethane etc. Also, find the heat transfer rate and then
compare that which material is a better insulator.

2.0 Introduction

In this project, we have to find the critical insulation thickness of cup by insulating the cup with
a suitable insulating material. The critical insulation thickness of can be easily find by knowing
the thermal conductivity of the insulating material and convective coefficient.

3.0 Literature Review

The critical radius gives rise to a maximum radial heat flow for a given overall temperature
difference or to a minimum overall temperature difference for a given radial heat flow.[1]
The standard theory of the critical radius, as set forth in all heat transfer textbooks, contains
numerous simplifying assumptions. Among these, the most significant is the assumption that the
heat transfer coefficient at the outer surface of the body is independent of the body radius and is
circumferentially uniform.[2] Circumferential variations of the heat transfer coefficient are a
reality of nature. The effect of such variations will be assessed here with the aid of numerical
solutions of the differential equation of energy conservation. The physical situation to be
considered is the cylinder in crossflow.
The theory of critical thickness of insulation for cylindrical and spherical geometries is discussed
in a comprehensive and methodical manner. [3]The article begins with the introduction of the
classical analysis, which assumes surface convection with a constant heat transfer coefficient, h.
Next, various modifications of the basic theory are discussed in detail. These modifications allow
for: the variation of h with outside radius, (constant-property forced convection); the variation of
h with temperature-dependent fluid properties (variable-property forced convection);
circumferential variation of h with forced convection; the variation of h with outside radius and
the temperature difference between the outside surface and the surroundings (natural
convection); surface radiation; combined radiation and natural convection; combined radiation,
natural convection, and surface heat release due to change of phase of the surrounding fluid; and
effects of radiation, inclination, and insulation opacity.[4] The last three sections of the article
consider the optimum configurations for a circular pipe covered with insulations of equilateral
polygonal, rectangular, and eccentric circular shapes. For polygonal and rectangular geometries,
the two-dimensional conduction analysis reveals that the conduction for the critical configuration
is the same whether the outside surface boundary condition is that of convection or constant

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temperature. This permits the use of conduction shape factors to determine the optimum
configuration for polygonal and rectangular insulations.[5]
Heat flow is an inevitable consequence of contact between objects of differing temperature.
Thermal insulation provides a region for insulation in which thermal conduction is reduced or
thermal radiation is reflected rather than absorbed by the lower temperature body. To change the
temperature of an object, energy is required in the form of heat generation to increase the
temperature, or heat extraction to reduce the temperature. Once the heat generation or heat
extraction is terminated a reverse flow of heat occurs to reverse the temperature back to ambient.
To maintain a given temperature considerable continuous energy is required. Insulation will
reduce this energy loss.

4.0 Calculations

4.1 Aluminum Foil

T1= 300C= 303K, T=240C= 297K

303 + 297
Tm =
2
Tm= 300K
At 300K, k=0.032W/m. K, h= 50W/m2. K
Rc =

0.032
=
50
Rc= 0.64mm
At 300K, h= 100W/m2. K
Rc =

0.032
=
100
Rc= 0.32mm
For h=50W//m2. K, L=77mm, D1=71mm, D2=72.28mm
2
Rins = ln /2
1
.
= ln /2 (0.032)(0.077)
.

Rins=1.154K/W

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 1
Rconv =
2 Lh
1
=
2 (0.036)(0.077)(50)
Rconv= 1.15K/W

1
Q=
+
303 297
=
1.154 + 1.15
Q = 2.604W

For h=100W//m2. K, L=77mm, D1=71mm, D2=71.64mm

2
Rins = ln /2
1
.
= ln /2 (0.032)(0.077)
.

Rins=0.582K/W
1
Rconv =
2 Lh
1
=
2 (0.0358)(0.077)(100)
Rconv = 0.5774K/W
1
Q=
+
303 297
=
0.582 + 0.5774
Q = 5.175W

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 4.2 Polyurethane

T1= 300C= 303K, T=240C= 297K

303 + 297
Tm =
2
Tm = 300K
At 300K, k=0.026W/m. K, h= 50W/m2. K
Rc =

0.026
=
50
Rc= 0.52mm
At 300K, h= 100W/m2. K
Rc =

.
= Rc = 0.26mm

For h=50W//m2. K, L=87mm, D1=84mm, D2=85.04mm

2
Rins = ln /2
1
.
= ln /2 (0.026)(0.087)

Rins=0.866K/W
1
Rconv =
2 Lh
1
=
2 (0.0425)(0.087)(50)
Rconv = 0.861K/W
1
Q=
+
303 297
=
0.866 + 0.861

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Q = 3.47W
For h=100W//m2. K, L=87mm, D1=84mm, D2=84.52mm
2
Rins = ln /2
1
.
= ln /2 (0.026)(0.087)

Rins=0.434K/W
1
Rconv =
2 Lh
1
=
2 (0.042)(0.087)(100)
Rconv = 2.30K/W
1
Q=
+
= . .
Q = 2.1096W

5.0 Methodology

First of all, we choose two different materials i.e. Aluminum foil and Polyurethane.
After that with the help of k (thermal conductivity of material)and h (convective
coefficient) we find out the critical insulation thickness.
Then by changing h we can get different critical insulation thickness.
Then we find out the heat transfer rate.
After that with the appropriate value of thickness, we insulate the cup and then
experimentally check that which material is a better insulator.

6.0 Results and Discussion

The critical insulation thickness of aluminum foil at h=50W/m2. K is 0.64mm and at

h=100W/m2. K is 0.32mm. Similarly, for polyurethane it is 0.52mm and 0.26mm. Although the
value of thickness for polyurethane material is low as compared to aluminum foil but it can be
increased by increasing h.
By experimental results we conclude that polyurethane is a better insulator than aluminum foil.

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7.0 References

[1] E. M. Sparrow, "Reexamination and Correction of the Critical Radius for Radial Heat
Conduction," AIChE Journal, vol. 16, p. 149, 1970.

[2] E. R. G. a. S. E. Eckert, "Distribution of Heat Transfer Coefficients Around Circular

Cylinders in Crossflow at Reynolds Numbers From 20 to 500," Trans. ASME, vol. 74, pp.
343-347, 1952.

[3] L. D. Simmons, "Critical Thickness of Insulation Accounting for Variable Convection

Coefficient and Radiation Loss," J . Heat Transfer, vol. 98, p. 150, 1976.

[4] E. M. Sparrow, "Re-examinationand Correction of the Critical Radius for Radial Heat
Conduction," AfChE J., vol. 16, p. 149, 1970.

[5] T. Yuge, "Experiments on Heat Transfer from Spheres Including Combined Natural and
Forced Convection," J. Heat Transfer, vol. 82, p. 214, 1960.

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8.0 Appendices

Figure 1 Aluminum foil insulation

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 Figure 2 Polyurethane insulation

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