MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

Experiment #5
Objectives:
1. To get familiarized with force and free convection at heat transfer surface: flat plate, and pipe
bundle.

2. To calculate heat transfer coefficient, heat transfer rate and efficiency.

Theory:

The amount of heat stored in a body can be directly related to the temperature. If there is a
temperature difference between two measuring points, then there is an exchange of heat. Heat can
be transferred through a variety of different mechanism. Conduction, convection, and radiation are
the different heat transfer mechanism. Convection is a heat transfer mechanism, during which a
fluid absorbs heat. When in contact with a surface with a different temperature this occurs by heat
conduction. The fluid can also absorb heat via radiation. Heat transfer by convection can be
subdivided into free and forced convection. In the case of forced convection, the fluid to be heated
is blown or pumped past the heated surface by a pump or fan, whereas in the case of free
convection, flow is only achieved based on difference in the density of the heated fluid.

The heat transfer rate to the fluid Q̇ can be calculated using the fist law of thermodynamics
for the heated fluid:
𝑄̇ = 𝑚̇ ∙ 𝐶𝑝 ∙ 𝛥𝑇

The temperature difference Δ𝑇 is calculated from the difference between the average inlet and
outlet temperatures. The specific heat capacity of the air 𝐶𝑝 is also dependent on the air temperature
and should be found from thermodynamics tables. Since the temperature is varying in the duct
length, the value of 𝐶𝑝 should be evaluated in the average temperature of air in the duct, TM:
𝑇𝑖𝑛 + 𝑇𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑇𝑀 =
2
𝑚̇ is the mass flow rate which is calculated as,
𝑚̇ = 𝜌 ∙ 𝐴 ∙ 𝑉

here 𝜌 is the fluid density, V is the averaged velocity and A is cross-sectional area of the duct
which is equal to 0.0144m2 in this experiment.

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 MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

The transfer of heat from a surface to a fluid can be described mathematically as follows:
𝑄̇ = A𝑠 ∙ α ∙ T𝑚
where 𝛼 is the heat transfer coefficient and 𝑇𝑚 is called average logarithmic temperature difference.
It is calculated using the following formula:
(T sin − Tain ) − (Tsout − Taout )
Tm =
T sin − Tain
ln
Tsout − Taout

Since the surface temperature Ts (Tsin = Tsout) of the heater remains almost constant across the
entire area and only the temperature of the air Ta changes significantly between the inlet and the
outlet.
(Taout − Tain )
Tm =
T sin − Tain
ln
Tsout − Taout

Therefore, the heat transfer coefficient, 𝛼, can be evaluated from these equations.
𝑄̇
𝛼=
𝐴 ∙ 𝑇𝑚

Description of apparatus & instrument:

Air duct with axial fan is used to guide the flow of air. The air channel has measuring glands that
enable the temperature to be recorder at various points by pushing in a thermocouple inside the
channel. In addition, a flow sensor records the flow rate of the inlet air and two Pt100 elements
record the inlet and outlet temperatures. Different heated surfaces (Flat plate, pipe bundle or fin)
are each operated by four resistive heaters with a maximum total power output of approx. 170W
can be mounted using simple star knob screws in the duct and can be identified the heater inserts
in use through a viewing window. Voltage applied is adjustable giving a variable heat output.

The control and display unit contain the power supply and the regulators for the fan and heater
inserts. In addition, this unit displays the electrical power supplied to the heater elements, the flow
rate, the inlet and outlet air temperature and temperature measured with the thermocouple. A PC
can be connected at the rear for data acquisition.

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 MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

fan

PT100 element for

Measuring Glands outlet temperature

Air Duct

Heater insert fins

Heater insert
pipe bundle
Heater inser flat plate

PT100 element for

inlet temperature

Thermocouple

Flow Sensor
Control and
display unit

Fig.1 Free and Forced Convection Unit

Specification:
Power supply: 230V/ 50 Hz
Heat exchanger surface:
Area of Flat plate: 0.014 m2,
Pipe bundle: 0.098 m2,
Fins: 0.14 m2
Air Duct:
Flow cross – section: 120 * 120 mm2,
Height: 1 m,
Installation height heat exchanger: 0.118 m,
Maximum air flow rate: 3.0 m/s,
Maximum air volume flow: 160 m3/h
Flow rate sensor:
Measuring range measured medium: -20 to 85 0C,

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 MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

Measuring range ambient: 0 to 60 0C.

Thermocouple Type: K type, Measuring Range: 0 - 10000C,
Pt100 sensor (Measuring range: 0 to 100 0C)
Maximum heater power: 170 W.
Temperature limit: 120 0C.

Initial setup Instructions and Safety precaution

1. Connect the data cable and power chord to the control and display unit.
2. Never connect the heater to the mains. The connection must always be made via the control
and display unit.
3. Always switch off the control unit prior to mounting or dismounting of the heating inserts.
4. Always leave the heater surfaces and inserts to cool down sufficiently first prior to touching
them.
5. There may be risk of burns when touching the heating insert for mounting and dismounting.
6. Always wear heat insulating gloves.
7. Don’t touch the probe tip of the flow rate sensor because it is very sensitive to get damage.
8. Always make sure before taking the observation on the digital display unit that heater
element and sensor are connected properly on the control and display unit.
9. The air duct should be placed on a firm and even surface.
10. The air channel inlet and outlet are to be kept clear so that the air flow is not restricted.
11. Wait till the steady state is reached. Constant power must be supplied.

Procedure:
1. Switch on the control unit and PC and run the software in the PC.
2. Connect the heater element with flat plate to the control and display unit prior to mount in
the air duct. And operate the potentiometer on the control unit to 100% power.
3. Surface temperature will be measured using the thermocouple.
4. Once a steady state condition (“chart” screen) is reached. i.e. there is no noticeable
temperature change at the surface of the heater element. Surface temperature is saved by
clicking the menu item “Edit – Initialize Surface Temperature”.
5. Operate the potentiometer back to 0% power output. And leave the heater surfaces and
inserts cool down before touching them.
6. Now install the heater in the air duct channel and experiment can be commenced.

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 MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

7. Again operate the potentiometer at 100% power output.

8. Switch on the fan if forced convection experiment is commenced. Again wait for steady
state condition to be reached.
9. Starts measuring the values: Temperature T1 at inlet of air duct, Air flow rate at inlet of air
duct, Temperature T2 at the outlet of the air duct.
10. This experiment sequence is applicable to all subsequent experiments concerned with the
individual heater inserts.
11. Measure the surface temperature also in case of pipe bundle and heater with fins using the
thermocouple measuring gland prior to fitting in the air duct.
For Pipe bundles heater insert:
1. Operate the heater insert at 100% power output.
2. Push the thermocouple into air duct through the measuring gland such that the tip is on the
central cylinder. Wait for study state condition to reach when a temperature of approx
1000C is reached at the tip point.
3. Remove the thermocouple from the first measuring gland and insert through the other three
measuring glands.

Calculations:

Amount of heat absorbed by the medium (fluid)

𝑄̇ = ṁ𝑎 ∙ C𝑝𝑎
̇ ∙ ΔT

where Q is heat absorbed by the fluid per unit time, ΔT = 𝑇2 − 𝑇1

The air mass flow rate is calculated as follow:

ṁ=ρaAV

Here ρa is density of the air, A is cross sectional area of the duct and V is flow rate, Cpa is specific
heat capacity of the air.

Efficiency indicates the portion of the input energy that is transferred to the fluid and can
be determined as,

𝑄̇
𝜂=
𝑃𝑒𝑙

The heat sources on the test stand consist of electrical resistors; thus, P el the amount of power that
is consumed by the heaters.
Amount of heat transferred from a surface to a fluid can be described mathematically as
follows:

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 MEP3010-Heat Transfer Lab

𝑄̇ = A𝑠 ∙ α ∙ T𝑚

where As is the surface area of the heating surface.

The factor Tm is called the average logarithmic temperature difference.

(T sin − Tain ) − (Tsout − Taout )

Tm =
T sin − Tain
ln
Tsout − Taout

Since the surface temperature Ts (Tsin = Tsout) of the heater remains almost constant across the
entire area and only the temperature of the air Ta changes significantly between the inlet and the
outlet.
(Taout − Tain )
Tm =
T sin − Tain
ln
Tsout − Taout
The coefficient of heat transfer α,
𝑄̇
α=
A ∙ T𝑚

Observations:
Parameter Flat Plate Pipe bundle

Free Forced Free Forced

T1
T2
ṁ𝑎
𝜂
𝑄̇
𝑃𝑒𝑙

Determining the thermal conductivity: After completing the measurements, find the efficiency
of the system for each heat transfer surface and the convection mode.

Results:

Conclusion: