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Experiment #6: Unsteady State Heat Transfer Objectives

This experiment investigates unsteady state heat transfer through conduction. Students will observe how the temperature of solid shapes changes over time when exposed to a step change in surface temperature. They will explore forced and free convection using stainless steel and brass cylinders, spheres, and slabs submerged in a water bath. Students will analyze the temperature profiles, determine Biot numbers and heat transfer coefficients, and compare material properties to better understand unsteady state heat transfer. Safety precautions are outlined due to use of heated materials and water.

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Prasanth Ravichandran Ravichandran
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© © All Rights Reserved
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253 views

Experiment #6: Unsteady State Heat Transfer Objectives

This experiment investigates unsteady state heat transfer through conduction. Students will observe how the temperature of solid shapes changes over time when exposed to a step change in surface temperature. They will explore forced and free convection using stainless steel and brass cylinders, spheres, and slabs submerged in a water bath. Students will analyze the temperature profiles, determine Biot numbers and heat transfer coefficients, and compare material properties to better understand unsteady state heat transfer. Safety precautions are outlined due to use of heated materials and water.

Uploaded by

Prasanth Ravichandran Ravichandran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT #6: UNSTEADY STATE HEAT TRANSFER

OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the experiments are:
1) To observe unsteady state conduction of heat to the centre of a solid shape when a step
change is applied to the temperature at the surface of the shape
2) To investigate on the Lumped Thermal Capacitance method of transient temperature
analysis

THEORY/BACKGROUND
Heat Transfer is the transfer of thermal energy from a body at high temperatures to another body at
a lower temperature. Unsteady state heat transfer is the condition in which the temperature within
a system varies with time. This phenomenon is frequently encountered in the engineering design of
many processes. For example, in several pasteurization and food sterilization processes, the
unsteady state heat transfer period is an important component of the process. In the unsteady state
condition, the temperature becomes a function of both position and time. Analysis of temperature
variations with time during the unsteady state period is essential in designing such processes.
In order to determine any characteristics of the unsteady state heat treatment environment, the
heat transfer coefficient, h, must be determined. One must also calculate how h changes with
respect to geometry, cylinder material, and velocity. The heat transfer coefficient may be
determined using either a lumped parameter analysis or Bessel function analysis.

In experiments, two types of convection will be explored: forced and free convection. Forced
convection involves an outside force affecting the rate at which heat is dissipated or absorbed by a
material. In this particular experiment, immersing the rods in water provides the driving force for
convection. A large temperature gradient exists between the water and the rod, which should draw
more heat out of the rod than if it were simply exposed to ambient air due to the larger driving
force.

Free convection occurs when heat naturally dissipates from a body at ambient conditions. This
property will be explored by simply heating the rods in the hot water bath and leaving them out in
the open to cool. In this case, there is no driving force behind the heat escape other than the smaller
temperature gradient between the ambient air and the warm rods. While this does cause a small
driving force, it is negligible compared to the Forced Convection method.

The heat transfer coefficients are determined using the Lumped Heat Capacity Model or the Exact
Method. The lumped heat capacity model assumes that the material has a high thermal conductivity
and high external thermal resistance. Based on this, the temperature should be fairly constant
throughout the rod and heat would escape slowly. The water bath forced circulation also makes for
a constant fluid temperature in the tank. Therefore, any temperature reading taken at a point in the
solution or on the rod can be assumed to be the same throughout.
Since the temperatures of the rods change over time, the heat transfer is unsteady state. Therefore,
the following equation can be applied:

Rearranging:

These general equations can be manipulated to suit the lumped heat capacity method and the exact
method.

Lumped Heat Capacity Model:

The values for A, t, ρ, V, and Cp are known, so graphing ln(θ) vs. t will give a slope of h c(A/ρVCp), from
which hc can be calculated. Once this is known, the Biot number can be calculated. If the value is less
than 0.1, then the lumped heat capacity model is appropriate. If not, the exact method should be
used.

Exact Method:

where the reduced time (Fourier ‘number’) is given by

Plotting –lnθ against Fo, the slope should be λ2. This value can be used to determine the Biot number
either by interpolating values from tables (pre-computer method) or evaluating Bessel functions
(modern method). The Biot number can then be used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient.

For this experiment:


1) Plot the temperature profile (T vs. t) for all specimens tested. Show multiple specimens
on the same chart to allow for comparison.
2) Compare the times it take for the same size stainless steel cylinder and brass cylinder to
stabilize. Which one is faster? Why?
3) Determine the Biot number for each material/shape tested, both experimentally, and
analytically using the appropriate characteristic length scale for the shape being tested.
Compare the two values.
4) Determine the convention heat transfer coefficient, h, and determine whether the
material selection has any effect on it.

EQUIPMENTS
 Unsteady State Heat Transfer Apparatus
 Stop Watch
 Stainless Steel Sphere Specimen
 Stainless Steel Slab Specimen
 Stainless Steel Cylinder Specimen
 Brass Sphere Specimen
 Brass Slab Specimen
 Brass Cylinder Specimen
 31L of Clean Water

SAFETY/PRECAUTION
1) Read the safety instructions thoroughly before conducting the experiment.
2) Wear protective gloves, glasses, laboratory protective clothing, long pants and covered shoes
when conducting the experiment.
3) Dispose of all unused chemicals (if in used) in an appropriate manner after the experiment.
Under no circumstances should the chemicals be allowed to flow into the main drains.
4) Should any of the chemicals (if in used) come into contact with the body, rinse off immediately
with cold water and inform the lab attendant. Seek medical treatment if symptoms persist.
5) Report any breakages or consumables which need replenishing.
6) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after the experiment.
7) Be alert and careful at all times when conducting the experiment.

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