Y.S.R.

ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF YVU, PRODDATUR

HEAT TRANSFER LAB – DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Exp No: Date:
COMPOSITE WALL APPARATUS
Aim:-
To find out total thermal resistance and total thermal conductivity of composite slab

Description:-
The apparatus consists of central heater sandwiched between two sheets. These types of slab
provided on both sides of heater, which forms composite structure. A small hand press is provided to
ensure perfect contact between the slabs. A dimmer stat is provided to vary heat input of heaters and
it is measured by a digital volt meter and ammeter. Thermocouples are embedded between interfaces
of slabs. A digital temperature indicator is provided to measure temperature at various points.

Specifications:-

1. Slab assembly arranged symmetrically on both sides of the slab.

2. Nichrome heater wound on mica heater of 300-Watt capacity.
3. Dimmer stat open type, 230v, 0-2 amp, single phase.
4. Volt meter
5. Ammeter
6. Digital temperature indicator
7. Enclosure size : 300x300x300 mm
8. Slab diameter =200 mm.
9. Thickness of mild steel = 25 mm.
10. Thickness of Bakelite= 20 mm.
11. Thickness of wood= 18 mm.
12. Total thickness of slab= 63 mm.

Procedure:-

Arrange the plates in proper fashion on both sides of heater plates.

1. Operate the hand press to ensure perfect contact between plates.

2. Close the box by acrylic cover sheet to achieve proper environmental condition.
3. Start the main switch.
4. By adjusting the dimmer knob give heat input to heater. (say 80V, 90V etc.)
5. Take the readings of all (8) thermocouples at an interval of 10 min. Until the final steady
state.
6. Note down the reading in observation table.
7. Make dimmer knob to “zero” position and then put main switch off.
8. Repeat the procedure for different heat input.

Observation Table:-

Sl. V I Q=V.I T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
No Volts amps watt °C °C °C °C °C

Composite Wall Apparatus

 Y.S.R. ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF YVU, PRODDATUR
HEAT TRANSFER LAB – DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
TA TB TC TD avg K R KMS KMS KMS
avg avg avg (composi (Thermal
°C te slab) resistance) W/mK W/mK W/mK
°C °C °C W/mK °C/W

Formulae:-

1. Heat input

Q = V x I ……..Watts
2

2. TA avg = T1 + T2 ….°C
2

TB avg = T3 + T4 ….°C
2

TC avg = T5 + T6….°C
2

TD avg = T7+ T8 ….°C

2

3. Area of Slab

A = Л d2
4
Where “d” is diameter of slab. ( Effective dia. = 200 mm)

4. Thermal Resistance of Slab ( R )

R = TA avg - TD avg ….°C/W

Q

5. Thermal Conductivity of composite slab ( K )

K= Q x L …. W/m k
A (TA avg - TD avg )

Where “L” is thickness of slab.

Composite Wall Apparatus

 Y.S.R. ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF YVU, PRODDATUR
HEAT TRANSFER LAB – DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
6. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY: ( K )

K m.s. = QxL …. °K/W

A (TA - TB)

Where “L” is thickness of M.S.

K hylam = QxL …. °K/W

A (TB - TC)

Where “t” is thickness of hylam.

K wood = QxL …. °K/W

A (TC - TD)

Where “L” is thickness of wood.

Precautions:-

i) Keep the dimmer stat to zero before starting the experiment.

ii) While removing plates do not disturb thermocouples.
iii) Use the selector switch knob and dimmer knob gently.

Composite Wall Apparatus

 Y.S.R. ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF YVU, PRODDATUR
HEAT TRANSFER LAB – DEPT. OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
SAMPLE CALCULATION:

Sl. V I T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
No, Volts amps °C °C °C °C °C °C °C °C
1 75 0.5 70.2 70.2 68.5 68.5 53.5 51.2 43 40

Formulae:-

Heat input

Q = 75 x 0.5 = 18.75 ……..Watts

2

TA = 70.2 + 70.2 = 70.2°C

2

TB = 68.5 + 68.5 =. 68.5 °C

2

TC = 53.5 + 51.2 = 52.35.°C

2

TD = 43+ 40 = 41.5 °C
2

Area of Slab

A = Л (0.3)2 = 0.070695 m2
4
Where “d” is diameter of slab. ( Effective dia. = 300 mm)

Thermal Resistance of Slab ( R )

R = 70.2 + 41.5 = 5.9533. °C/W

18.75

Thermal Conductivity ( K )

K= 18.75 x 0.036 = 0.155 W/m k

0.070695 (70.2 – 41.5)

Where “t” is thickness of slab.

Composite Wall Apparatus