SCB12204 - THERMAL SCIENCE

Lecturer: MIOR FIRDAUS BIN MIOR ABD MAJID

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Title

Fouriers Law Study for Linear Conduction of Heat along a Bar

Objective

To determine the slope, (dT/dx).

To calculate the average thermal conductivity k of the brass.
To investigate Fourier's Law for the linear conduction of heat along a bar.

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Apparatus

For the conduction experiments, we were using the SOLTEQ Heat Conduction
Study Bench (Model: HE105).

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1) Control Panel
2) Heater Power Indicator
3) Heater Power Regulator
4) Temperature Indicator
5) Temperature Selector
6) Thermocouple Connectors
7) Thermocouples
8) Radial Module
9) Linear Module

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Introduction

We already know from Thermodynamics that heat transfer is nothing but energy

in transit due to a temperature difference. But now we must learn how that heat

is transferred. Heat can be transferred in three ways, which are known as

conduction, convection, and radiation.

Conduction can be easily understood if we imagine two blocks, one very

hot, and the other cold. If we put these blocks in contact with one another and

insulate them, we will observe energy in the form of heat being transferred from

the hot block to the cold block. This heat transfer between the two solid blocks is

known as conduction. In the case of metals, conduction is enhanced by free

electron mobility, which explains why metals are good heat conductors. In the

case of fluids, conduction is caused by the exchange of energy in the form of

heat by direct impact of the molecules.

Convection is the combination of energy transferred by molecular

interaction (conduction), and the collective or bulk movement of a fluid. The

collective movement of the fluid, otherwise known as bulk motion is the only

difference that distinguishes convection from conduction. Two types of

convection, which are defined by the type of bulk motion are, free convection

and forced convection. In free convection the bulk motion is caused by buoyancy

forces created by density gradients which are caused by a temperature gradient

throughout the fluid. In forced convection the bulk motion is caused by an

external force such as a fan or blower.

Thermal radiation is the transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves in

the presence or absence of an intervening medium by a temperature difference.

You feel heat transfer by radiation when the hot summer sun shines down upon

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your skin. The interesting thing about thermal radiation is that heat can be

transferred without any medium between the hot and cold source.

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Theory

In this experiment we will investigate conduction in an insulated long

slender brass bar like the one in Figure 1. Assume that the bar is of length L, and

a uniform hot temperature Th is imposed on one end and a cold temperature Tc

is imposed on the other. We will assume, because the bar is insulated, that all

the heat flows in the axial direction due to an imposed temperature differential

along the bar.

The equation that governs the heat flow is known as Fourier's Law, and in the

axial direction it is written as

Where qx is the conduction heat flow in the x direction, Ax is the cross sectional

area normal to the x direction and k is the thermal conductivity. The negative

sign implies that heat is transferred in the direction of decreasing temperature.

In more general cases, Fourier's Law becomes a vector relationship, which

includes all directions of heat flow.

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 Figure 1: Schematic of a long cylindrical insulated bar

The thermal conductivity k varies between different materials and can be a

function of temperature. Because of the enhancement of heat transfer by free

electrons, thermal conductivity is analogous to electrical conductivity and hence,

metals that are good conductors of electricity are also good conductors of heat.

In this experiment we will investigate Fourier's Law by finding the conduction

heat transfer coefficient for brass and comparing this value to actual values in

tables. To do so we will calculate the cross sectional area of the bar, and the

slope dT/dx of the plot of temperature vs. length. We can then use these values

in Fourier's Law to find the conduction coefficient.

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Procedure

1) Make sure that the main switch initially off. Then insert a brass conductor

(25mm diameter) section as an intermediate section into the linear

module and clamp together.

2) Install the temperature sensors T1 until T9 to the test module and connect

the sensor leads to the panel.

3) Connect the heater supply lead for linear conduction module to the power

supply socket on the control panel.

4) Turn on the water supply and ensure that water is flowing from the free

end of the water pipe to drain. This should be checked at intervals.

5) Turn the heater power control knob control panel to the fully anticlockwise

position.
6) Switch on the power supply and main switch; the digital readouts will be

illuminated.
7) Switch on the heater and turn the heater power control to 5 watts and

allow sufficient time to achieve steady state condition. (Approximately 15

minutes).
8) Record the temperature at each of the nine thermocouples as well as the

input power reading on the wattmeter (Q) in Table 1.

9) Repeat the procedure for other input power of 10, 15 and 20 W. After each

change sufficient time must be allowed to achieve steady state condition

again. (Approximately 10 minutes).

10) Once your experiments completed, reduce the power heated power

to 0 Watt position by turning the knob fully anti-clockwise and switch off

the heater. Keep the cooling water flowing for at least 5 minutes through

the module to cool down the test metal.

11) Switch off the main switch and power supply. Then, unplug the

power supply cable.

12) Close the water supply and disconnect the cooling water connection

hoses if necessary.

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Result

Discussion

For each of the power, plot the temperature profile along the entire length of the

bar on the same graph and determine the slope, dT/ dx and calculate the

average thermal conductivity K of the brass. Show a sample of your workings

(refer to graph paper page 9-12)

The data displayed on the pages above show the linear temperature distribution

along the cylindrical insulated bar. We can see from all graph of different heater

power that are the temperature will decrease when the distance from heater end

is increase. This shown that the result is following the theoretical and the

Fouriers Law is satisfied. We assumed that the bar length L, a uniform hot

temperature Th is imposed on one end, and a cold temperature Tc is imposed on

the other. We also assumed, because the bar is insulated in the peripheral

direction that all the heat flows in the axial direction due to an imposed

temperature differential along the bar. We have faced some error which sources

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of error within the equipment failure that are heater power supply was not

steady to the setup power and the thermocouple were not place accurately.

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Suggestion

Be sure to sufficiently coat both surfaces of the sample and the apparatus

where contact will be made to reduce thermal contact resistance.

Note that the sample (test insert) can be put in only one way to insure

good thermal contact.

Do not exceed a wattage of 20 W nor any temperature above 100o C.
Be careful not to touch any surfaces (metallic or plastic) on the heating

end as they might cause a burn.

If not indicated on the apparatus, all temperature sensors are numbered

from left to right.

Do not use a high water flow as this will prevent the disconnection of the

water hose.

Conclusion

As the conclusion that is taken from our result and analysis, we can say

that the linear conduction of heat along a homogeneous bar can be investigated

by Fouriers law. From that result also we can identify the slope (dT/dx) of the

graph of temperature profile along the entire length of the bar, the thermal

conductivity and the heat transfer coefficient of the brass.

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