ENGN1710 Heat & Mass Transfer, Experiment 1: Temperature Profiles in Fins of Circular Cross-Section, Spring 2011

BROWN UNIVERSITY
School of Engineering
ENGN1710, Heat & Mass Transfer

Experiment 1: Temperature Profiles in Fins of Circular Cross-Section (“Pin Fins”)

Objectives
The objective of the Laboratory exercise is to apply numerical methods of differentiation and
integration to measurement data of various diameter and material circular fins, and compare your
results with theoretical values for ideal fins.

Condensate
Drain, to sink
Protection
Shield Fin Thermocouple
Selector Switches
Steam
Thermocouple

1” Aluminum Rod (Fin)

Thermocouple 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3psi Release
Valve
Ambient Thermocouple 

1/2” Aluminum Rod (Fin)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Steam
Generator 1” Stainless Steel Rod (Fin)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Hot Plate
Omega TP 80
Fin Digital Ch 1: Fins Temperature
Thermocouple Ch 2: Steam Temperature
- + Thermometer
Positions Ch 3: Ambient Temperature
115 VAC

Figure 1: Apparatus Diagram (Top View), and steam generator (side view).

Apparatus
The apparatus set-up is shown on Figure 1. It consists of a steam generator (supply chamber),
through which a constant temperature fluid (steam @ 1 atm) is circulated, and three horizontal
rods, which act as fins. Each fin is fitted with 10 embedded type “T” (Copper-Constantan)
thermocouples that are wired to a corresponding selector switch located at the low temperature
end of the apparatus. These thermocouples are used to measure the temperature, Tx, on the fin

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 ENGN1710 Heat & Mass Transfer, Experiment 1: Temperature Profiles in Fins of Circular Cross-Section, Spring 2011

centerline (r = 0) at distance, x, from a point within the steam chamber (to be determined). A
single output from the bank of selector switches is wired to Channel 1 of the digital thermometer
(Omega DP80). When measuring a fin temperature, the selector switches corresponding to the
fins not being measured must remain set to position #0 (off). For the fin being measured, the
selector switch is sequenced through positions corresponding to thermocouple locations #1
through #10, while the digital thermometer remains set to channel 1.

The materials and diameters of the fins are presented in Table 1.

Table 1. The materials and diameters of the fins used in Laboratory set up.
Fin location Fin material Fin diameter
Front Stainless Steel, Type 304 1.0” (2.54 cm)
Middle Aluminum, Type 2024 0.5” (1.27cm)
Rear Aluminum, Type 2024 1.0” (2.54 cm)

The supply chamber is connected to a steam generator which maintains a constant temperature of
100.0 °C (± 0.3°C, depending on the barometric pressure) at location #0, where absolute x = 0.
Note that location #0 is somewhere inside the supply chamber, but is not precisely known and
must be determined through data analysis. A thermocouple located inside the supply chamber,
further in than any location #0, is wired to channel 2 of the digital thermometer and measures the
steam temperature To.

A thermocouple measuring ambient temperature (T∞) is located on the low temperature end of
the apparatus, and is wired to channel 3 of the digital thermometer. The digital thermometer
displays temperatures to the nearest 0.1 °C, the display accuracy is ± 0.1 °C, and for type “T”
thermocouples the typical uncertainty is ± 0.2 °C.

Measurements and Observations

Using the tape measure provided in the laboratory to measure and record the distances from fin
thermocouple location #1 to thermocouple location number #2 and then through #10 to find
values for ∆xz-1, where z is location number of any thermocouple position. Each of these
measurements will be the same for all three fins, so you need only measure one of them. Later,
after calculating the precise position of location #0 (which may not be the same for all fins), you
can find the absolute distances, xz-0.
In order to bring the apparatus to (or nearly to) thermal steady-state, steam will have been
circulating through the supply chamber for about two hours before you begin the experiment.
Verify that the apparatus is in fact operating at steady state by continuously monitoring the
temperature of the stainless steel fin at location #7 for a few minutes. If change is evident, wait
until the rate of change is less than 0.1°C per minute before proceeding, but note that the steam
generator will operate only for about three hours total before running out of water.
Measure and record at least three complete sets of temperature readings: a median value at each
location (z, #1 through #10) on each fin, the supply chamber temperature, and the ambient air
temperature. Each data value reading should be accompanied by your best estimate of the
uncertainty in the temperature reading. For example, if the displayed temperature value for a fin
ranges between 51.7 °C and 52.3 °C, record the median value as the reading (52.0 °C) and the
fluctuation as the observed uncertainty (± 0.3 °C).

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 ENGN1710 Heat & Mass Transfer, Experiment 1: Temperature Profiles in Fins of Circular Cross-Section, Spring 2011

Safety Considerations
Burn Prevention: Exposed surfaces of the hotplate, steam generator vessel, steam transfer line,
steam cabinet, and fins near the steam cabinet are hot! The steam and condensate draining from
the apparatus can scald. Keep a reasonable distance from these, and work carefully to avoid
accidental injury.

Data Analysis
1. Calculate a complete set of time-averaged values of Tx from your recorded readings and
tabulate θ = Tx - T∞, then plot the reduced temperature profiles on one graph for each of the
three fins, θ vs. ∆ xz-1.
2. Using a spreadsheet application with curve fitting capability such as KaleidaGraph™ or
Excel™ and find the values of ∆x1- 0 to determine the precise locations of z=0 for each fin, and
then find the absolute distances: xz = ∆x1-0 + ∆xz-1. Re-plot the reduced temperature profiles,
θ vs. xz, such that values for θ 0 will then all be equal to T0 - T∞.
3. Calculate an average convective heat transfer coefficient, h, by matching the theoretical
value of θ with the measured value at a midpoint location on the 0.50” aluminum fin.
4. Using the average value of h found above, calculate a theoretical temperature profile for the
0.50” aluminum fin and plot this against the corresponding profile generated from your
experimental data. Compare the theoretical and experimental temperature distributions and
discuss factors that may be responsible for differences between the two.
5. Calculate local values of h near the hot end, the middle, and the cool end of each fin. Select
locations where meaningful results can be obtained, that is, where temperature data are
sufficiently accurate. Using the equation for the local energy balance from your text and the
finite difference formula, evaluate the second derivative of θ .
6. Calculate the heat dissipated by each fin at x=0 by conduction. Use

q =-kA(dT/dx)0 [1]

Evaluate (dT/dx)0 by numerical or graphical differentiation as seems best.

7. Using numerical integration, calculate the heat dissipated by each fin by convection:
q= ∫ hPθdx [2]
where P is the fin circumference (i.e. , the perimeter).

8. Compare the results found in steps 6 and 7 for the 0.50” aluminum fin with each other and
with the theoretical result based on your value of h. Discuss your findings.

Laboratory Report
Your group’s written final draft laboratory report is to be submitted two weeks after the data
have been obtained. Follow the report format used in ENGN 0720 and ENGN 0810 Laboratories.

References
1. Adapted from original laboratory text written by Prof. Emeritus M. Sibulkin (deceased),
School of Engineering, Brown University.