‫الجمهورية اليمنية‬

‫جامعة صنعاء‬
‫كلية الهندسة‬
‫قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬
‫المستوى الرابع‬

‫‪EXPERIMENT FOURIER’S LAW‬‬

‫‪CONDUCTION ALONG‬‬
‫‪A SIMPLE BAR‬‬

‫الطالب‪/‬أحمدخالد عبده الجبري‬

‫‪/‬تحت إشراف الدكتور‬
‫الرقم االكاديمي‪2011-293/‬‬
‫د‪.‬م‪/‬حمود النهاري‬
 Contents

1- SAFETY GUIDELINES
2- OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENT
3- INTRODUCTION
4- THEORY
5- APPARATUS
6- PROCEDURE
7- USEFUL INFORMATION
8- RESULT
9- Drawing
10- DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
11- Errors
12- REFERANCE
SAFETY GUIDELINES:

1. To avoid burns, do not touch any metal or plastic surfaces on the hot end of the
sample or test unit.
2. Avoid using a high cooling water flow to prevent disconnection of the hose from
the test unit.
3. Do not exceed 20 W power delivery under any circumstances, and do not allow
the temperature to go above 100 °C at any of the thermocouple locations.
4. Avoid using too much conducting paste as this may ‘fry’ the unit.
OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENT :
The objective of this experiment is to investigate and verify Fourier’s Law for
linear heat conduction along a simple bar.

INTRODUCTION:
Conduction is defined as the transfer of energy from more energetic particles to
adjacent less energetic particles as a result of interactions between the particles. In
solids, conduction is the combined result of molecular vibrations and free electron
mobility. Metals typically have high free electron mobility, which explains why
they are good heat conductors.
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 but insulate them
from the surroundings, thermal energy will be transferred from the hot to the cold
block, as evidenced by the increase in temperature of the cold block.

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This mode of heat transfer between the two solid blocks is termed ‘conduction’.
THEORY:
In this experiment we will investigate conduction in an insulated long slender brass
bar like the one in Figure 1. We will
assume that the bar is of length L, a uniform hot temperature Th is imposed on one
end, and a cold temperature Tc is imposed on the other. We will also assume,
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.
The equation that governs the heat flow is known as Fourier's Law, and in the axial
direction it is written as :
dT
qx = - k Ax …………. (1)
dx

Where q x is the rate of

heat conduction in the x-
direction, k is the thermal
conductivity of the
material, A x is the cross-sectional area

normal to the x-
dT
direction, and dx is
the temperature gradient in the x-direction. The negative sign indicates that heat is
transferred in the direction of decreasing temperature. More generally, Fourier's
Law is a vector relationship which includes all directions of heat transfer:
dT ⃗ dT ⃗ dT ⃗
[
q⃗ =q x ⃗i + q y ⃗j +q z ⃗k =−k A x
dx
i+A y
dy
j+ A z
dz ]
k … … . (2)

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

function of temperature, but it can be treated as a constant over small temperature
ranges. Because of the enhancement of heat transfer by free electrons, thermal
conductivity is analogous to electrical conductivity and as a result, 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 thermal
conductivity k for brass and comparing this value to the actual value from one or
more references. To do so we will calculate the cross sectional area Ax of the bar
and the slope dT/ dx from a plot of measured temperatures vs. length. We can then
use these values in a rearranged version of Fourier's Law to find the thermal
conductivity, k:

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 −q x dx
k= … … … .(3)
A x dT

APPARATUS:
The apparatus we will be using in this experiment is the P.A. Hilton H940 Heat
Conduction Unit, which consists of three items. The first item is a transformer
equipped with a circuit breaker. The transformer has two cords which connect it to
an AC outlet and to the second item, the calibration unit.

Figure 2 : Front View of Calibration Unit and Transformer

The calibration unit has two basic functions. It delivers power to the heater element
within the test unit and it calibrates and displays the temperatures at nine locations
along the test unit. The amount of power delivered to the test unit is controlled by
the power control knob on the right side of the calibration unit; to its left is the
temperature selector knob which is used to select one of the nine thermocouple
temperatures for display on the digital readout, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

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The third item is the test unit, which consists of two test geometries: an insulated
brass bar which allows a sample to be placed between the two ends, and an
insulated disk. Both geometries are equipped with a power supply, but we will only
use the insulated bar for this experiment. The test unit is also equipped with a
cooling water hose.
The purpose of the cooling water running through the unit at the cold end of the
bar is to remove heat that is produced at the hot end and transferred by conduction
to the cold end, keeping the cold end at a constant temperature. Once the rate at
which heat is generated is equal to the rate at which heat is removed, steady state
conditions (temperatures will be fairly constant and readings can be taken) will
exist.

The test unit has two heater cords: one from the test bar and the other from the test
disk. Be sure to use only the heater cord for the bar, which connects to the heater
plug located in the lower right hand corner of the calibration unit. Figure 4 shows
the front view of the test unit.

In addition to this equipment, you will also find a box that contains the samples,
thermocouples, and conducting paste in a small syringe. The samples can be placed
in the bar test unit by releasing the clamps and sliding the cold end of the bar out.
The thermocouples must be placed in order from 1 to 9 as shown in Figures 3 and
4.

PROCEDURE:
1. Connect the equipment as shown in Figures 3 and 4, making sure that the
calibration unit is switched off before connecting the transformer to the AC outlet.

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2. Insert the test brass sample (30 mm length and 25 mm diameter) into the unit
and allow cooling water to flow through the test unit.
3. Connect the nine thermocouples in the appropriate order.
4. Switch the calibration unit on and adjust the power control knob to deliver 10
W of power to the test unit; allow the system to reach steady state (approximately
20 minutes).
5. Record the temperatures at each of the nine thermocouples and the power input.
IMPORTANT: Do not plug both the Power Regulator and the Water Chiller into
the same outlet. Use two different outlets that run off of separate circuit breakers.

Useful Information
Reference for materials information can be found in the following books located in
the Engineering Library.
• ASM Handbook, Volume 18, TA 459 A5 V.18, 1992
• Standards Handbook; Copper, TA 480 C7C655
• Engineering Formulas 4th Edition, TA151.G4713, 1983

Dimensions of the brass cylinder:

• Diameter: 25 mm, Length: 80 mm, Distance between probes: 10 mm

Calculation:

Where A=(π/4)(25*10^-3)^2=5*10^-4 (m^2)

and k=117( W / m.K)
dT
and dx the slope
RESULT
T8(°C T7(°C T6(°C T T4(°C T T2(°C T1(°C q(W) No
) ) 5°C ) 3(°C ) )
)
25.7 26.4 27.1 28.2 28.7 29.2 41.5 41.9 5.5 1
26.2 27.1 27.9 29.2 29.7 30.2 45.8 46.1 7.1 2
27.3 28.3 29.4 30.8 31.4 32 52.2 51.4 10.1 3
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 X

Plot X versus temperature( T)

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 dT
And find dx from the slope of graphs

Where Q=5.5 wat

Plot X versus temperature( T)

dT
And find dx from the slope of this grap

T(Q=5.5 x
) T(Q=5.5)
41.9 10
50
41.5 20
Temperature ( C )

40
29.2 30 f(x) = − 2.33 x + 41.57
T(Q=5.5)
28.7 40 R² = 0.74 30
Linear
28.2 50 20
(T(Q=5.5))
27.1 60 10
26.4 70 0
25.7 80 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
Length mm

From graph we have

dT
The slop can express by dx =-0.233

Q dT
K= A dx

5.5
K= 0.0005 ∗¿0.233 =2563( W / m.K)

Where Q=7.1 wat

Plot X versus temperature( T)

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 dT
And find dx from the slope of this grapgh

T(Q=7.1) x
46.1 10
45.8 20
30.2 30
29.7 40
29.2 50
27.9 60
27.1 70
26.2 80

T(Q=7.1)
50
40
Temperature ( C

f(x) = − 2.86 x + 45.64

R² = 0.72 30
20 T(Q=7.1)
10 Linear (T(Q=7.1))
0
12 10 8 6 4 2 0

Length mm

dT
From graph we have The slop can express by dx =−0.268

Q dT
K= A dx

7.1
K= 0.0005 ∗(−0.268 ) =3805.6( W / m.K)

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 Where Q=10.1Wat

Plot X versus temperature( T)

dT
And find dx from the slope of this graphs

T(Q=10.1 x
)
51.4 10
52.2 20
32 30
31.4 40
30.8 50
29.4 60
28.3 70
27.3 80

Td
1353.0
=− From graph we have The slop can express by
xd

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 QTd
A xd
=K

10.1
K= 0.0005 ∗( 0.3531 )=7132. 62(W /m . K )

Sketch the gragh between (X) versus( T ) at Q1= ,Q2=7.1 wat and Q3=10.1wat
dT
And find dx from the slope of this graphs

T(Q3=10.1)T(Q2=7.1) T(Q1=5.5) x
51.4 46.1 41.9 10
52.2 45.8 41.5 20
32 30.2 29.2 30
31.4 29.7 28.7 40
30.8 29.2 28.2 50
29.4 27.9 27.1 60
28.3 27.1 26.4 70
27.3 26.2 25.7 80

60
50
Temperature ( C

f(x) = − 3.53 x + 51.24

40
f(x)
R² == − 2.86 x + 45.64
f(x) =0.71
− 2.33 x + 41.57
30
R² = 0.72 T(Q1=5.5)
R² = 0.74
20 Linear (T(Q1=5.5))
10 T(Q2=7.1)
0 Linear (T(Q2=7.1))
14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 T(Q3=10.1)
Linear (T(Q3=10.1))
Length mm

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

Based on the plot of Power, Q (W) vs. Temperature Difference, ∆ T (°C) asshown
on the above graph , the power supplied is directly proportional to the temperature

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 which demonstrate the relation between the dissipated heat and temperature
difference:
put from the previous equation (Newton’s Law of Cooling) the relation between the (Q)
(Q)and (∆ T) is linear .
Th non-linearity is due to the errors occurred during the taking of the readings , these
Errors are:
‫ خطأ المعايره‬-1
)‫ تأثر جهاز القياس بالظروف المحيطه (هذا التأثير قليل‬-2
‫ عدم إنتظام التيار الكهربائي (الفلتيه) الداخله الى الجهاز‬-3
:‫ أخطاء ناتجه عن ماء التبريد وذالك السباب منها‬-4
‫ درجة نقاوت الماء‬-1
‫ تغير حرارت الماء المتدفق‬-2
‫ الفقاقيع غير المنتضمة في الحجم الموجوده داخل انبوب سريان ماء التبريد‬-3
‫ كمية تدفق الماء‬-4

REFERENCE
Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer THEODORE L. BERGMAN
Internt web .
Lecturs Dr.Eng: ‫حمود النهاري‬

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