FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY (MCB 3033)
SEMESTER MAY 2019

CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER

GROUP NO.

NO. NAME ID NO. GROUP

1.
2.
3.

4.

LAB SESSION

DAY DATE TIME

LAB REPORT RECEIVED BY : ________________________

INTRODUCTION

Convection is one of the three scientific way of heat transfer (Conduction, Convection
and Radiation.) from one medium to another. Convection is defined as heat transfer between
solid surface and the adjacent fluid that is in motion. In fluid, convection is occurred due to
the collision and diffusion of molecules during their random motion. The movement caused
within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder,
denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer
of heat.

There are two states of heat transfer by convection which is steady state and transient.
Steady state is defined as the temperature of the object at specific location remains constant
with time, whereas transient is the temperature of the object at specific location changes with
time. Therefore for transient state the temperature is a function of time.

This experiment is conducted with the condition of the convection in steady state. The
specimens that will be tested are solids with flat and extended surface which are rectangular
finned surface respectively. This experiment is to be conducted by applying Newton’s Law of
Cooling.

Newton’s Law of Cooling: 𝑄̇𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = ℎ 𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇∞)

Where ℎ : Convection heat transfer coefficient
𝐴𝑠: Surface area through which heat transfer takes place

𝑇𝑠: Surface Temperature

𝑇∞: Temperature of fluid far from surface

Abstract
Convection can be classified as one of the medium of heat transfer other than
conduction and radiation. The mechanism of heat transfer of convection can be achieved
through a medium. In this experiment, we are investigating the heat transfer of fins through
natural convection and forced convection. Natural convection is a phenomenon of a
convection without the need of force in moving the fluid. Whereas forced convection is with
the help of a device to move the fluid in the system. The role of fins in the experiment is to
increase the area of the object and eases the heat transfer from the object to the air by
convection.
Problem Statement
The rate of forced convection is much more efficient than the rate of natural convection in
terms of dissipating the heat to the surrounding.
Objectives

1. To apply the correlation of Newton’s Law of Cooling for convection heat transfer
𝑄̇𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = ℎ 𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇∞) 𝑊
2. To investigate the proportional of rate of heat transfer to the temperature difference
3. To determine the rate of heat transfer for forced and natural convection at different
surface area and shape

METHODOLOGY

Experimental Set Up

A schematic diagram illustrating the equipment used is shown below.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of equipment used

PROCEDURE

1) Laboratory instructor had explained on the experiment and required power and fan
speed had been given before the experiment start.
2) The experimental rig had been prepared by using the schematic diagram as guide.
3) The surface area of the plates had been determined.
4) The distance between temperature measurement points had been measured.
5) Air velocity and heater power had been set accordingly.
6) The temperature readings had been observed and recorded accordingly.

Figure 2 : Straight Rectangular Finned Heat Sink

Dimension of the finned plate :

Width = 0.11m
Length= 0.10m
Height = 0.07m
Thickness = 0.004m
Number of fins = 9
Specifications
An array of fins (finned heat sink)

General requirement
The power supplied to the heater : 60.0 W

General Formula
 For flat plate:

𝐴𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ

𝑘𝐴𝑑𝑇
𝑄̇ =
𝑑𝑥

 For finned plate:

𝐿𝐶 = 𝐿 + 𝑡⁄2
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 × 2 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ × 𝐿𝐶

𝑘𝐴𝑑𝑇
𝑄̇ =
𝑑𝑥
 The areas of heat transfer are:

𝐴𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑡 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ

𝐴𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑇ℎ 𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ

𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 (𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑔 𝑡 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ ) − 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 (𝑇ℎ 𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ )

𝐿𝐶
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 × 2 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ × 𝐿𝐶

2ℎ
=√
𝑚 𝑘𝑡

tanh 𝑚 𝐿𝑐
𝐹𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, ɳ𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
𝑚 𝐿𝑐

 Rate of heat transfer for the finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛

 Rate of heat transfer for the unfinned surface:

𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 = ℎ 𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛

 Total rate of heat transfer for the finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛 + 𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛

 Rate of heat transfer for the no finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛 = ℎ 𝐴𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛(𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞)

 The effectiveness of a fin:

𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑄̇ 𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝑄𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛

 The overall fin effectiveness:

𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝑄̇ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝑄𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛

 Rate of heat transfer for the finned surface (theoretical):

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = 𝑚̇ × 𝑐𝑝,𝑎𝑖𝑟 × ∆𝑇

 Percentage error:

𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = | 𝑄̇ 𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 − 𝑄̇ 𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙| × 100%

𝑄̇ 𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
DATA COLLECTION
FINNED PLATE FREE CONVECTION

Temperature (°C)

Heat Exchanger Temperature

Power Surrounding Inlet Outlet

Temperature Temperature Distance from plate surface (x) Temperature
(Tsurr) (Tin) (Tout)
x2 = x3 =
x1 = 6mm
32mm 70mm
(T1)
(T2) (T3)

50 W

FINNED PLATE FORCED CONVECTION

Temperature (°C)

Heat Exchanger Temperature

Power Surrounding Inlet Outlet

Temperature Temperature Distance from plate surface (x) Temperature
(Tsurr) (Tin) (Tout)
x2 = x3 =
x1 = 6mm
32mm 70mm
(T1)
(T2) (T3)

50W
FLAT PLATE FREE CONVECTION

Temperature (°C)

Heat Exchanger Temperature

Power Surrounding Inlet Outlet

Temperature Temperature Distance from plate surface (x) Temperature
(Tsurr) (Tin) (Tout)
x2 = x3 =
x1 = 6mm
32mm 70mm
(T1)
(T2) (T3)

50W

FLAT PLATE FORCED CONVECTION

Temperature (°C)

Heat Exchanger Temperature

Power Surrounding Inlet Outlet

Temperature Temperature Distance from plate surface (x) Temperature
(Tsurr) (Tin) (Tout)
x2 = x3 =
x1 = 6mm
32mm 70mm
(T1)
(T2) (T3)

50W

GRAPH
 CALCULATIONS
For flat plane and finned heat exchangers in forced convection mode:
a) State the power supplied to heater
Q = 50.0 W
b) Determine the rate of heat transfer from the surface of the heat exchanger.
The rate of heat transfer:
Q = kAdT/dx
Thermal conductivity, k = 16 W/m °C
𝑑𝑇=Δ𝑇=𝑇𝑆−𝑇𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑥=Δ𝑥=0.0675𝑚

Natural convection:
For flat plate
𝐴𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡=𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ =0.10𝑚×0.11𝑚 =0.011𝑚2

𝑄̇𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡,𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙= [(16𝑊/𝑚℃)(0.011𝑚2)(60 – 22.1)℃] / 0.0675𝑚= 98.82 𝑾

For finned plate

𝐿𝐶=𝐿+ 𝑡/2 = 0.10+0.004/2 = 0.102𝑚
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 ×2×𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ ×𝐿𝐶
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛=9 ×2×0.11𝑚×0.102𝑚=0.20196𝑚2

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙=[(16𝑊/𝑚℃)(0.20196𝑚2)(60-22.3)℃] / 0.0675𝑚= 1804.77𝑾

Forced convection:
For flat plate
𝑄̇𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡,𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑=(16𝑊/𝑚℃)(0.011𝑚2)(60 −21.8)℃ / 0.0675𝑚= 99.6 𝑾

For finned plate

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑=(16𝑊/𝑚℃)(0.20196𝑚2)(60 −21.6)℃ / 0.0675𝑚=1838.28𝑾
c) Calculate the heat loss from the experiment rig to the surrounding.
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠=𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟−𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟
Natural convection:
For flat plate
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠=21.0−98.82=−77.82𝑾
For finned plate
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠=21.0−1804.28=−𝟏783.28 𝑾
Forced convection:
For flat plate
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠=21.0−99.6=−78.6 𝑾
For finned plate
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠=21.0−1838.28=−𝟏817.28 𝑾

d) Determine the heat transfer coefficient.

𝑇𝑚=𝑇∞= (𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑡−𝑇𝑖𝑛) / log ((𝑇𝑠−𝑇𝑖𝑛)/(𝑇𝑠−𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑡))
ℎ 𝑐= 𝑄̇ℎ 𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 / 𝐴𝑠×𝑇𝑚

Natural convection:
For flat plate
𝑇𝑚= (24.4-22.1) / log (60−22.1/60−24.4) =84.59℃
ℎ 𝑐= 77.82 / (0.011×84.59) = 83.63 𝑾/𝒎𝟐.℃

For finned plate

𝑇𝑚= (43.4-22.3)/ log (60−22.3/60−43.4) =59.23℃
ℎ 𝑐=1783.28/ (0.20196×59.23)=149.08 𝑾/𝒎𝟐.℃

Forced convection:
For flat plate
𝑇𝑚=(22.6-21.8)/log(60−21.8/60−22.6)=87.03℃
ℎ 𝑐= 78.6 /(0.011×87.03) =82.10 𝑾/𝒎𝟐.℃
For finned plate
𝑇𝑚=(28.3-21.6)/log(60-21.6/60−28.3)=80.46℃
ℎ 𝑐= 1817.28 / (0.20196×80.46) = 111.83 𝑾/𝒎𝟐.℃

e) Calculate the fin effectiveness and overall fin effectiveness.

Natural convection for finned plate:
The areas of heat transfer are:
𝐴𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ =0.11𝑚×0.10𝑚 =0.011𝑚2
𝐴𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝑇ℎ 𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
𝐴𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛=0.004𝑚×0.10𝑚 =0.0004𝑚2
𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛=(𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ × 𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ )−𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 (𝑇ℎ 𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠×𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ )
𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛= 0.011 𝑚2−9(0.007𝑚×0.10𝑚)=0.0047𝑚2 𝐿𝐶=𝐿+ 𝑡2⁄ =0.11+0.004/2 = 0.112𝑚
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑠 ×2×𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ ×𝐿𝐶
𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛=9 ×2×0.10𝑚×0.102𝑚=0.1836𝑚2

𝑇𝑏 = (𝑇𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑡+𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑡)/2 = (43.4+22.3)/2 = 32.85℃

𝑚=√2ℎ /𝑘𝑡=√2(114.32 𝑊/𝑚2.℃)/(16𝑊/𝑚.℃)(0.004)=59.77

𝐹𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, ɳ𝑓𝑖𝑛=(tanh𝑚 𝐿𝑐) /( 𝑚 𝐿𝑐)

= tanh(59.77×0.102) / (59.77×0.102)=0.1640

Rate of heat transfer for the finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛=ɳ𝑓𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛(𝑇𝑏−𝑇∞)
𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛=(0.1640)(114.32 𝑊.℃ / m2)(0.20196 𝑚2)(32.85−60)℃
𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛 =−102.80 𝑊
Rate of heat transfer for the unfinned surface:
𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛=ℎ 𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛(𝑇𝑏−𝑇∞)
𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛=(114.32𝑊.℃/m2)(0.00475 𝑚2)(32.85−60)℃
𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 =−14.74 𝑊

Total rate of heat transfer for the finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛+𝑄̇𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝑄̇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛=−117.54 𝑊

Rate of heat transfer for the no finned surface:

𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛=ℎ 𝐴𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛(𝑇𝑏−𝑇∞)
𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛=(114.32W.℃/m2)(0.011)(32.85 - 60)℃
𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛=− 34.14 𝑊

The effectiveness of a fin:

𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛=𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛 / 𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛= 𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛 / (ℎ 𝐴𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛(𝑇𝑏−𝑇∞))
= (−138.77 / 9 )𝑊 / [(114.32𝑊.℃/m2)(0.0004𝑚2)(32.85 - 60)℃] = 12.42
The overall fin effectiveness:
𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙=𝑄̇𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛 / 𝑄̇𝑛𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛= −117.54𝑊 / −34.14𝑊= 3.443

f) The error between the theoretical and experimental values of heat transfer rates for the
natural convection on finned plate is:
Experimental value as calculated above : 𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙=1804.77 𝑊
Theoretical value:
Δ𝑇=𝑇𝑠−𝑇𝑖𝑛
Δ𝑇=60℃−22.3 ℃
Δ𝑇=37.7℃
At Tb = 32.85℃,
𝜌=1.178𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 𝑐𝑝,𝑎𝑖𝑟=1007𝐽/𝑘𝑔.℃
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡,𝐴𝐶=0.128𝑚×0.075𝑚=0.0096𝑚2

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒,𝑚̇ =𝜌𝑉𝐴𝑐 at Tb = 32.85℃,

𝑚̇=1.178𝑘𝑔/𝑚3(3𝑚/𝑠)(0.0096𝑚2)=0.0339 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙=𝑚̇×𝑐𝑝,𝑎𝑖𝑟×Δ𝑇
𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙=0.0339𝑘𝑔/𝑠×1007𝐽/𝑘𝑔.℃×37.7℃
𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙= 1286.98 𝑊

𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟=|𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙−𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙/𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙|×100%

𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟=|𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙−𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 / 𝑄̇𝑓𝑖𝑛,𝑡ℎ 𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙|×100%
𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟=|[1804.7 𝑊−1838.28 𝑊] /1838.28 𝑊|×100%=1.826%=0.01826

DISCUSSION

Conclusion