FORCED CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER

06-92-328-01/02 HEAT TRANSFER

Summer 2015
Graduate Assistant: Prashant Kaliram Pradip

Introduction
Forced convection heat transfer
theory is valuable in many
engineering fields
Especially heat-exchanger design

This apparatus allows to examine

the theory & formulae related to
forced convection in pipes

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General Layout

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Airflow Speed
The fan runs at a constant speed
and draws air through a control
valve
The air speed is varied by
screwing in the plate over the fan
inlet
Do not screw the plate fully in,
there must be an airflow!

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Orifice Dimensions

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Pitot Tube
Pitot tube traverse assembly
measures:
Velocity and temperature profile
across the test pipe

Outer Diameter of Pitot tube 3

mm

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Dimensions and Positions of Thermocouples

Thermocouple selector is
adjusted to measure the
temperature from thermocouple
1 to 14.
Maximum duct temperature <
150C!

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Procedure
Start the fan.
When air is flowing through the tube, slowly increase the electrical
current to the heating coil until a suitable value is reached.
Run for 15 to 20 minutes, by which it will have reached an equilibrium
temperature. Check this by monitoring one of the thermocouples.
Note down the Orifice pressure drop from the manometer.
Take readings of temperature distribution across the duct by changing
the thermocouple selector.
Set the Pitot tube right against the far side of the duct and take
readings of temperature from 14 in thermocouple selector.
Without altering the current setting, traverse the Pitot tube across in
intervals of 2 mm, and not the results.
After use, turn off the heater but allow the fan to keep working for
approximately five minutes before you switch it off.

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Data collection sheet

Distance from pipe wall (mm)

THERMOCOUPLES

Temperature (C)

Number

11

13

15

17

19

10

21

12

23

25

11

27

13

Position

Temperature (C)

Outer
surface of
copper
tube

Inner
surface
insulation

Outer
surface
insulation

Orifice pressure drop (mm H2O):

29

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Experimental Information
Video conference
Fill the tabular column as the
camera is focused on the data
The data to be noted will be shown
in the computer screen

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Tasks associated with the laboratory

Plot the temperature transverse as a function of
distance from pipe wall.
Calculate the heat input to the air through
thermocouple 1 to 7 from equation 8.
Determine the heat transfer coefficient from
tube to air with equation 4.
Calculate the non-dimensional numbers and
compare with Dittus and Boelter empirical
relationship.
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Instructions for preparation and submission of the

lab report
You may work in groups of up to four.
Each person will write and sign their name on the
title page of the submitted laboratory report, and
provide an e-mail address.
Prepare a short lab report (no more than 3 pages)
including the data collection sheet provided above.
Explain your results and complete all tasks as
specified above.
Each group should submit a hard copy of the lab
report no later than July 22, 2015. No late
submissions will be accepted.
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THANK YOU

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