ERT 245- Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems

Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT 5
EVALUATE HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT OF FREE & FORCE
CONCVECTION HEAT EXCHANGER
1.0 OBJECTIVES
1.1 To demonstrate the relationship between power input and surface
temperature in free and force convection.
1.2 To demonstrate the use of extended surface to improve heat transfer from the
surface.

2.0 INTRODUCTION
Heat transfer by simultaneous conduction and convection, whether free or force,
forms the basis of most industrial heat exchangers and related equipment. The
measurement and prediction of heat transfer coefficients for such circumstances is
achieved in the Free and Force Convection Heat Exchanger Apparatus by studying the
temperature profiles and heat flux in an air duct with associated flat and extended
transfer surfaces. The vertical duct is so constructed that the air temperature and
velocity can be readily measured, and a variety of plug-in modules of heated solid
surfaces of known dimensions can be presented to the air stream for detailed study. A
fan situated at the top of the duct provides the air stream for forced convection
experiments. Using the instrumentation provided, free and forced convective heat
transfer coefficients may be determined for: 1. A flat surface
2. An array of cylinders (pinned heat sink)
3. An array of fins (finned heat sink)

ERT 245- Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems

Laboratory Module

3.0 THEORY
3.1 Free Convection
A heated surface dissipates heat primarily through a process called convection.
Heat is also dissipated by conduction and radiation, however these effects are not
considered in this experiment. Air in contact with the hot surface is heated by the
surface and rises due to a reduction in density. The heated air is replaced by cooler
air which is in turn heated by the surface and rises. This process is called free
convection. The hotter the temperature of the surface, the greater the convective
currents and more heat (power) will be dissipated. If more power is supplied to a
surface, the temperature of the surface must rise to dissipate this power.
3.2 Forced Convection
In free convection the heat transfer rate from the surface is limited by the small
movements of air generated by this heat. More heat is transferred if the air velocity is
increased over the heated surface. This process of assisting the movement of air over
the heated surface is called forced convection. Therefore a heated surface experiencing
force convection will have a lower surface temperature than that of the same surface in
free convection, for the same power input.
3.3 Extended Surface
Heat transfer from an object can be improved by increasing the surface area in
contact with the air. In practice it may be difficult to increase the size of the body to suit.
In these circumstances the surface area in contact with the air may be increased by
adding fins or pins normal to the surface. These features are called extended surfaces. A
typical example is the use of fins on the cylinder and head of an air cooled petrol engine.
The effect of extended surfaces can be demonstrated by comparing finned and pinned
surfaces with a flat plate under the same conditions of power input and airflow.

ERT 245- Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems

Laboratory Module

4.0 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS

4.1 DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

Figure 1: Free and Force Convection Heat Exchanger Apparatus.

1. Fan
3. RTD sensors
5. Panel

2. Air flow column

4. Portable Anemometer
6. Exchangeable Heat Transfer System

ERT 209- Heat and Mass Transfer

Laboratory Module

5.0 PROCEDURES
5.1

Experiment 1: To demonstrate the relationship between power

input and

surface temperature in free convection.

5.1.1

Place the flat finned heat exchanger in to the duct.

5.1.2

Record the ambient air temperature (tA),

5.1.3

Set the heater power control to 20 Watts. Allow sufficient time to achieve steady state
conditions before noting the heated plate temperature (tH).

5.1.4

Repeat the procedure at 40, 60 and 80 Watts.

5.2 Experiment 2 : To demonstrate the relationship between power input and

surface temperature in force convection (finned heat
exchanger)
5.2.1

Set the heater power control to 50 Watts. Allow sufficient time to achieve steady state
conditions before noting the heated plate temperature (tH).

5.2.2

Set the fan speed control to give a reading of 0.5m/s on the thermal anemometer.
Record the heated plate temperature (tH).

5.2.3

Repeat this procedure at 1.0m/s and 1.5m/s.

5.3 Experiment 3: To demonstrate the use of extended surface to improve heat

transfer from the surface.
5.3.1

Place the tube bundle plate heat exchanger into the duct.

5.3.2

Set the heater power control to 75 Watts. Allow the temperature to rise to 80C, and
then adjust the heater power control to 15 Watts until a steady reading is obtained.
Record heated plate temperature (tH).

5.3.3

Set the fan speed control to give 1m/s.

5.3.4

Repeat this procedure at 2.0 and 2.5m/s.

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ERT 209- Heat and Mass Transfer

Laboratory Module

6.0 RESULTS AND CALCULATION

6.1 For experiment 1

Input Power
Watts
20
40
60
80

Plate Temp (tH)

C

Ambient Temp (tA)

C

tH tA
C

6.2 For experiment 2

Air Velocity
m/s
0
0.5
1.0
1.5

Plate Temp (tH)

C

Ambient Temp (tA)

C

tH tA
C

6.3 For experiment 3

Velocity
m/s
0
1
2
2.5

Plate Temp (tH)

C

Ambient Temp (tA)

C

tH - tA
C

6.4 For experiment 1, based on the data recorded, plot the graph of power against
temperature (tH tA).
6.5 For experiment 2 and 3, based on data recorded, plot the graph of air velocity against
temperature (tH tA).

7.0 DISCUSSION
7.1 Why is it necessary to set the fan speed to maximum before switch OFF the apparatus?
7.2 How do the extended surface for the plate heat exchanger will improve the heat transfer
process?
7.3 Differentiate between free and forced convection.
7.4 Discuss the relationship between air velocity and surface temperature.
7.5 Discuss the relationship between powers dissipated and surface temperature.

8.0 CONCLUSION
8.1 Based on the experimental procedure done and the results taken draw some conclusions
to this experiment.

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