University of Zawia

‫كلية النفط والغاز والطاقة المتجددة‬

Unit Operations-Lab 1

Experiment’s Name: Use of the Fourier Rate Equation for Linear

Conduction and determination of thermal conductivity

‫ زياد الطيب عمر علي‬:‫االسم‬

1511120823 :‫رقم القيد‬

‫ عبد الوهاب األزرق‬:‫األستاذ المشرف‬

6/4/2023 :‫تاريخ إجراء التجربة‬

Introduction: Heat can travel from one place to another in several ways. The different
modes of heat transfer include: Conduction, Convection and Radiation, Meanwhile, if the
temperature difference exists between the two systems, heat will find a way to transfer from
the higher to the lower system.

Conduction is defined as The process of transmission of energy from one particle of the
medium to another with the particles being in direct contact with each other.
An area of higher kinetic energy transfers thermal energy towards the lower kinetic energy
area. High-speed particles clash with particles moving at a slow speed, as a result, slow speed
particles increase their kinetic energy. This is a typical form of heat transfer and takes place
through physical contact. Conduction is also known as thermal conduction or heat
conduction.

Objective:
To understand the use of the Fourier Rate Equation in determining rate of heat flow through
solid materials for one-dimensional steady flow of heat, and using equation to determine the
constant of proportionality (The thermal conductivity) of the disk material.

Equipment Required:
Armfield Heat Transfer Service Unit HT10XC.
Armfield Computer Compatible Linear Heat Conduction Accessory HT11C.
PC installed with Windows.

The Armfield HT10XC is a computer controlled service unit, which can be used in
conjunction with a range of small-scale accessories for a wide range of demonstrations into
the modes of heat transfer. The factors that affect heat transfer can be investigated and some
of the practical problems associated with the transfer of heat can be clearly demonstrated.
The heat transfer accessories may be individually connected to the HT10XC service unit,
which provides the necessary electrical supplies and measurement facilities for investigation
and comparison of the different heat transfer characteristics. A specific feature of the
HT10XC is that it corporates the facilities and safety features to enable the accessories to be
remotely controlled from an external computer, where this is appropriate. It will shut down
safely in the event of a communications failure. With suitable (user provided) software, the
equipment operated remotely, for instance over an intranet or even over the internet. All the
facilities can also be accessed locally using the front panel controls and display.
The service unit is housed in a robust steel enclosure and designed for use on a bench or
table. It provides control outputs to the accessories, and instrumentation inputs from the
.accessories
Outputs:
 A stabilized, variable DC supply to the heater of the heat transfer accessory under
evaluation.
 Drive to flow-regulation valves on HT11C and HT12C.
 Drive to the variable-speed air blowers used on HT14C and HT16C.
Inputs and Instrumentation:
 Temperatures: (up to 10 off, dependent on accessory being used).
 Heater voltage: (All accessories except HT17).
 Heater current: (All accessories except HT17).
 Heat radiated: (HT13).
 Light radiated: (HT13).
 Air velocity: (HT14, HT14C, HT16, HT16C, HT19).
 Cooling water flowrate: (HT11C, HT12C, HT18C).

In manual mode, the outputs listed above are under control of potentiometers on the front
panel of the unit. In remote mode the outputs to the accessories are controlled by the
computer. A ‘Watchdog’ system is implemented in remote mode to ensure operator and
equipment safety in event of a computer or communications failure.
In both modes the signals from the accessory can be shown on the front panel displays.
Selector switches are used to select the chosen signal onto one of the two displays. These
signals are also available on the USB interface for data logging on the computer (even if the
computer is not controlling the equipment).
ArmField Heat Transfer - HT10XC

The Armfield Linear Heat Conduction accessory has been designed to demonstrate the
application of the Fourier Rate equation to simple steady-state conduction in one dimension.
The units can be configured as a simple plane wall of uniform material and constant cross
sectional area or composite plane walls with different materials or changes in cross sectional
area to allow the principles of heat flow by linear conduction to be investigated.
Measurement of the heat flow and temperature gradient allows the thermal conductivity of
the material to be calculated. The design allows the conductivity of thin samples of
insulating material to be determined.
On the HT11C the heater power and the cooling water flow rate are controlled via the
HT10XC, either from the front panel or from the computer software. On the HT11 these are
controlled manually.

Key Features:
 A small-scale accessory to introduce students to the principles of linear heat
conduction, and to enable the conductivity of various solid conductors and insulators
to be measured
 Comprises a heating section, a cooling section, plus four intermediate section
conductor samples and two insulator samples
 The heating section, cooling section and one of the intermediate sections are fitted
with thermocouples (eight in total) evenly spread along the length of the assembled
conduction path
 All sections are thermally insulated to minimize errors due to heat loss
 Includes a water pressure regulator and a manual flow control valve
 Computer-controlled unit includes an electronic proportioning solenoid valve to
control the cooling water flow rate and a water flow meter
 Heater power variable up to 60W
 Water flow rate variable up to 1.5 l/min
 Heating and cooling sections, 25mm diameter
 A comprehensive instruction manual is included
HT11C Linear Heat Conduction

Method: the conduction of heat takes place when the molecules of matter vibrate. Heat
energy is transferred from a higher temperature area to a lower one. This process abides by
Fourier’s law. Let us understand Fourier’s law through the article below. Fourier’s law is also
called the law of thermal conduction equations or the law of thermal conductivity.

Fourier’s Law:
The law of heat conduction, also known as Fourier's law, states that the rate of heat
transfer through a material is proportional to the negative gradient in the temperature and to
the area, at right angles to that gradient, through which the heat flows. We can state this law
in two equivalent forms: the integral form, in which we look at the amount of energy flowing
into or out of a body as a whole, and the differential form, in which we look at the flow rates
or fluxes of energy locally.
Newton's law of cooling is a discrete analogue of Fourier's law, while Ohm's law is the
electrical analogue of Fourier's law and Fick's laws of diffusion is its chemical analogue.
Differential form:
The differential of Fourier’s law of thermal conduction shows that the local heat flux density
Q is equal to the product of thermal conductivity k and the negative local temperature
gradient ∆T. The heat flux density is the amount of energy that through a unit area per unit
time.

∆T
Q=k . A .
∆x
And

Q=V . I

Where (including the SI units)

2
W /m ,Q is the local heat flux density
W /m. k ° , K is the thermal conductivity
∆ T isthe temperature gradient , k °
2
m ,A is the cross sectional area
V is a heater voltage
I is a heater current
∆ x isthe distance between the ends .

:Data set

V I Q T1 T2 T3 T6 T7 T8
5 0.49 2.45 25.2 24.7 26 19.4 19 18.4
10 0.96 9.6 49 46.9 46.9 26.5 24.7 22.8
15 1.43 21.45 82 77.6 78.3 36 32.2 28.3
:Calculations and Results

:At D = 0.025 m2, Cross sectional area is

2
π 0.025 2
A= =0.00049 m
4
:Now, at V=5 volt

Q = V.I = 6 * 0.49 = 2.45 W

:And the thermal conductivity is

Q.∆ x 2.45 ×0.015

k= = =150 W /m. C °
A . ∆T 0.00049(25.2−24.7)
:And at V=10 volt

Q = 9.6 W

:And the thermal conductivity is

9.6 × 0.015
k= =139.3 W /m .C °
0.00049(49−46.9)
:And at V=15 volt

Q = 21.45 W
:And the thermal conductivity is

21.45 ×0.015
k =149.23W /m. C °
0.00049(82−77.6)

:Average thermal conductivity is calculated as

150+ 139.3+149.23
k= =146.17 W /m .C °
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- :Conclusion Discussion

The thermal conductivity coefficient (K) can be found for any metal strip that can be
connected to the device by using Fourier’s law, but it must be taken into account that there is
heat leakage to the surrounding medium, and there is also a loss of heat between the strips,
and therefore it is recommended to put a material to facilitate the connection.
If no errors occur in readings where the thermocouple material is greater or less than the
theoretical thermocouple:
1- It may be an inaccurate device.
2- Do not connect the thermocouple properly.
3- The distance between thermocouple may be The device is inconvenient.

The downward gradient in temperatures from T1 to T8 is observed in the data set but there is
an error in the calculation of T3; This error is due to lack of maintenance of the equipment or
an error caused by the student