The University of Hong Kong

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MECH 4411 Heat Transfer
Laboratory Report

Forced Convective Heat Transfer

m
e r as
co
eH w
o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
v i y re
ed d
ar stu
sh is
Th

Name: Chan Lok Hin

UID: 3035121396

Group: HT6
Date of Experiment: 22/2/2016

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 Objectives
To determine the average heat transfer coefficient and heat transfer rate associated
with force convection on the pinned heater

Apparatus
1. HT 19 Free and Forced Convection Unit from Armfield Limited.
2. HT 10 X C Computer Compatible Heat Transfer Service Unit from Armfield
Limited

m
e r as
co
eH w
o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
v i y re
ed d
ar stu
sh is
Th

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 Theory
1. Characteristics of a pinned heater:
The arrangement of tubes in the HT19 pinned heater is denominated staggered in
the direction of air flow.
The arrangement of tubes is characterized by the transverse pitch 𝑆𝑇 , the
longitudinal 𝑆𝐿 and the diagonal pitch 𝑆𝐷 between the tube centres.
𝑆𝑇 2 1/2
𝑆𝐷 = [𝑆𝐿 2 + (
) ]
2
These parameters on the pinned heater can be visualized in the following diagram
and further calculations are required.

m
e r as
co
eH w
o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
v i y re

Fig. 1: Staggered configuration on the pinned heater

2. Maximum Velocity
In the staggered arrangement, the air approaching through area 𝐴𝑙 , (see Fig.1.)
ed d

firstly passes through area 𝐴𝑇 , then through 2𝐴𝐷 and finally wraps around the pipe
ar stu

in the next arrow of tubes.

The calculation of 𝐴𝑙 , 𝐴𝑇 and 𝐴𝐷 are listed below:
𝐴𝑙 = 𝑆𝑇 𝐿𝑃
sh is

𝐴𝑇 = (𝑆𝑇 − 𝐷)𝐿𝑃
Th

𝐴𝐷 = (𝑆𝐷 − 𝐷)𝐿𝑃
where 𝐿𝑃 is the length of the pin
I. For 2𝐴𝐷 >𝐴𝑇 , the maximum velocity would occur at 𝐴𝑇 and calculated as
𝑆𝑇
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑈
𝑆𝑇 − 𝐷 𝑎
where 𝐷 is the diameter of the tube and 𝑈𝑎 is the air velocity
II. For 2𝐴𝐷 <𝐴𝑇 , the maximum velocity would occur at 𝐴𝐷 and calculated as
𝑆𝑇
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑈
2(𝑆𝐷 − 𝐷) 𝑎
where 𝐷 is the diameter of the tube and 𝑈𝑎 is the air velocity

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 3. Average heat transfer coefficient
To determine the Nusselt number 𝑁𝑢𝐷 for cross flow over a bank of tubes, several
correlations have been developed. Zukauka’s expression found in Incropera and
Dewitt1 is adopted in our experiment:
hD Pr 0.25
𝑁𝑢𝐷 = = CReD m Pr n ( )
k Prs
where C, m and n depends on the Reynolds number ReD
h average heat transfer coefficient
D diameter of the tube
k thermal conductivity of the flow

The Reynolds number ReD can be determined by:

m
e r as
𝜌𝐷𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑅𝑒𝐷 =

co
µ

eH w
where ρ density of air

o.
µ dynamic viscosity of air
rs e
ou urc
For the staggered arrangement tubes, the available Nusselt number correlations
proposed by Zukauskas are:
o

Range of 𝑅𝑒𝐷 Correlation

aC s
v i y re

0 − 500 1.04ReD 0.4 Pr 0.36 (Pr/Prs )0.25

500 − 1000 0.71ReD 0.5 Pr 0.36 (Pr/Prs )0.25
0.6
1000 − 2 × 105 0.35(𝑆𝑇 /𝑆𝐿 )0.2 ReD Pr 0.36 (Pr/Prs )0.25
ed d

0.8
2 × 105 − 2 × 106 0.031(𝑆𝑇 /𝑆𝐿 )0.2 ReD Pr 0.36 (Pr
ar stu

/Prs )0.25
Table 1: Nusselt number correlations for cross flow over staged tube of tanks N>16 and 0.7<Pr<500
sh is

(from Zukauskas 1987)

Since the number of pinned heater is more than 16, which is 17, a correlation factor
Th

over the Nusselt number should be applied:

𝑁𝑢𝐿 = 𝑓𝑁𝑢𝐷
where 𝑓 correlation factor (taken as 0.93 in our experiment)

4. Heat Transfer Rate

After calculating the heat transfer coefficient, the heat transfer rate 𝑄 ′ is
determined by Newton’s law of cooling numerically. It turns out to help us find out
the theoretical 𝑄 ′ and lately compare it with the input power supplied to the
pinned heater.
The heat transfer rate can be determined from:

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 Q′ = hAs △ Tin
where h average heat transfer coefficient
As heat transfer surface area
△ Tin logarithmic mean temperature difference
△ Tin can be determined as
[(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇2 ) − (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇1 )]
△ 𝑇𝑖𝑛 =
𝑇 −𝑇
ln [𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇2 ]
𝑠 1

where 𝑇1 air input temperature

𝑇2 temperature at the exit of the heater
𝑇𝑠 surface temperature of the tube (average T[𝑇3 − 𝑇6 ])

m
e r as
Particulars of Apparatus

co
eH w
1. 𝐷 = 0.012𝑚

o.
2. 𝐿𝑝 = 0.067𝑚 rs e
𝐴𝑠 = 0.0429𝑚2
ou urc
3.
4. 𝑆𝑇 = 0.028𝑚
5. 𝑆𝐿 = 0.017𝑚
o
aC s
v i y re

Procedures
1. Place the pinned heater into the duct. Switch on the fan with the air velocity at
ed d

1.7 m/s. Set the heater power control to around 50 Watts. Wait for around 45
ar stu

minutes as the system can achieve steady state conditions.

2. Record the upstream air temperature (𝑇1 )
3. Record the output air temperature (𝑇2 )
sh is

4. Record the heated plate temperature (𝑇3 )

Th

5. Record the temperature on the pinned heaters (𝑇4 , 𝑇5 , 𝑇6 )

6. Repeat steps 1-5 by adjusting the air velocity at 1.5 m/s

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 Results and calculation
To calculate the average heat transfer coefficient (h) and the heat transfer rate (Q’),
the experiment data and the reference table 2 on air properties at 1 atm are used in
the following calculation.

m
e r as
co
eH w
o.
rs e
ou urc
o
aC s
v i y re

Table 2: Air properties at 1 atm

ed d
ar stu
sh is
Th

Computer monitoring system over the heat exchanger

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 According to the table 2, 𝜌, µ, k, Pr can be determined by interpolation for Ta and
𝑃𝑟𝑠 can be determined by interpolation for Ts..
The experimental results are listed below:
Experimental Data
Measurement Run#1 Run#2 Average
I(amp) 4.11 4.11 4.11
V(volts) 12.1 12.0 12.05
Ua (ms-1) 1.70 1.50 1.60
T1(℃) 27.00 27.00 27.00
T2(℃) 31.10 31.50 31.30
T3(℃) 48.30 49.80 49.05
T4(℃) 46.40 47.90 47.15

m
e r as
T5(℃) 43.90 45.40 44.65

co
eH w
T6(℃) 84.20 85.60 84.90
*Ta(℃) 29.05 29.25 29.15

o.
rs e
**Ts(℃) 55.70 57.18 56.44
ou urc
−3
ρ(𝑘𝑔𝑚 ) 1.1680 1.1672 1.1676
µ(𝑘𝑔𝑚−1 𝑠 −1 ) 1.868x10-5 1.869 x10-5 1.869 x10-5
o

k(℃) 0.02580 0.02582 0.0258

aC s

Pr 0.7284 0.7284 0.7284

v i y re

Prs 0.7213 0.7209 0.7211

𝑇1 +𝑇2
* Ta= 2
ed d
ar stu

𝑇3 +𝑇4 +T5 +T6

** Ts= 4

Firstly, the maximum velocity 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 should be determined. Since the maximum
sh is

velocity 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 depends on the layout of the pinned heaters, we should determine
Th

the formula of 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 by considering whether 2AD >AT is true or not.

The diagonal pitch 𝑺𝑫 :

1
ST 0.028 2 2
SD = [SL 2 + ( )2 ]1/2 = [0.0172 + ( ) ] = 0.02202m
2 2

Area 𝑨𝑫 :
𝐴𝐷 = (𝑆𝐷 − 𝐷)𝐿𝑃 = (0.02202 − 0.012) × 0.067 = 6.7152 × 10−4 𝑚−2
Area 𝑨𝑻 :
𝐴𝑇 = (𝑆𝑇 − 𝐷)𝐿𝑃 = (0.028 − 0.012) × 0.067 = 1.0720 × 10−3 𝑚−2

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 Since 2𝐴𝐷 = 2 × 6.7152 × 10−4 = 1.3403 × 10−3 > 1.0720 × 10−3 𝑚−2 = 𝐴𝑇
The maximum velocity would occur at 𝑨𝑻 and calculated as
𝑆𝑇 0.028
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑈𝑎 = × 1.6 = 2.8𝑚/𝑠
𝑆𝑇 − 𝐷 0.028 − 0.012

To determine the appropriate Nusselt number correlation proposed by Zukauskas,

the Reynolds number 𝑅𝑒𝐷 should be determined:
Reynolds number 𝑹𝒆𝑫 :
𝜌𝐷𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 1.1676 × 0.012 × 2.8
𝑅𝑒𝐷 = = = 2100
µ 1.869 × 10−5

As the Reynolds number 𝑅𝑒𝐷 is within the range of 1000 − 2 × 105 , the Nusselt

m
e r as
0.6
number correlation should be adopted as 0.35(𝑆𝑇 /𝑆𝐿 )0.2 ReD Pr 0.36 (Pr/Prs )0.25

co
Nusselt number correlation correlation 𝑁𝑢𝐿

eH w
0.028 0.7284
𝑁𝑢𝐿 = 0.35 × (0.017)0.2 × 21000.6 × 0.72840.36 (0.7211)0.25=34.0597

o.
rs e
ou urc
Since the correlation factor f is taken as 0.93,
𝑁𝑢𝐿 = 0.93 × 34.0597 = 31.6756
o

The average heat transfer coefficient h

aC s
v i y re

hD
𝑁𝑢𝐿 =
k
𝑁𝑢𝐿 𝑘
h=
ed d

𝐷
ar stu

31.6756 × 0.0258
=
0.012
= 68.1288
sh is
Th

Finally, we can calculate the heat transfer rate Q by using average heat transfer
coefficient h and logarithmic mean temperature difference △ 𝑻𝒊𝒏
The logarithmic mean temperature difference △ 𝑻𝒊𝒏
[(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇2 ) − (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇1 )]
△ 𝑇𝑖𝑛 =
𝑇 −𝑇
ln [𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇2 ]
𝑠 1

[(56.44 − 31.3) − (56.44 − 27)]

=
(56.44 − 31.3)
ln [ ]
(56.44 − 27)
= 27.231

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/
 The heat transfer rate 𝐐′
Q′ = hAs △ Tin = 68.1288 × 0.0429 × 27.231 = 79.59𝑊

Compare the obtained results (heat transfer rate Q’) with the actual power input
applied to the pinned heat:
The actual power Pinput
𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉𝐼 = 4.11 × 12.05 = 49.53 𝑊
The actual power Pinput is smaller than the calculated heat transfer rate 𝐐′
(49.53W<79.59W)

Discussions

m
e r as
The calculation result (heat transfer rate 𝐐′ ) is smaller than the actual power

co
output. The reason for difference are listed below:

eH w
1. The heat transfer system has not met the stable stage since the warm-up

o.
duration is too insufficient. Usually, the system has to be warmed up and
rs e
ou urc
become steady after start running for at least 2 hours. However, the data were
taken when the system only warmed up for half an hour in this experiment.
Errors are involved due to the system is not yet stable.
o

2. The correlation formula adopted in this experiment is not accurate enough.

aC s
v i y re

Since the Zukaukas’s expression is only appropriate for general circumstances,

the experiment configuration would be different from the circumstance
adopted by Zukaukas’s expression. This is the reason why the calculation result
ed d

differs from the actual power output.

ar stu

3. The insulation of the system may wear out so as to causing the heat transfer
process happening with the surrounding. It may further maximize the
calculated heat transfer rate 𝐐′ .
sh is

4. The air velocity and power output is not stable during the experiment.
Th

Fluctuation were observed when the data were taken. Since the theoretical
calculation is based on a steady environment, such fluctuations would
contribute errors and cause the result inaccurate.

Reference
1. Lavine A., Dewitt P., Incropera F., and T. BERgman, Fundementals of Heat and
Mass transfer, Wiley, USA, p417-423, (2006)

https://www.coursehero.com/file/35525311/MECH4411-Heat-Transfer-laboratory-Chan-Lok-Hin-UID-3035121396pdf/

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)