EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

EXPERIMENT NO. 7

TITLE: HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

OBJECTIVES: (1) Determine the heat conduction along a homogeneous bar.

(2) Determine the heat conduction along a composite bar or wall, and
to evaluate the overall heat transfer coefficient.

INTRODUCTION

The mechanism of the heat transfer design principles would be subsequently treated
according to the modes of heat transfer, conduction, convection, and radiation. In this
experiment the principle of conduction heat transfer based on Fourier’s law would be
associated with the rate of heat transfer, thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance. The
heat conduction topic would be treated according to some geometry such as plane or
cylindrical wall or bar. In this experiment the heat conduction study bench consists of
two electrically heated modules mounted on a bench support frame. One module contains
a cylindrical metal bar arrangement for a variety of linear conduction experiments while
the other consists of a disc for radial conduction experiment. Both test modules are
equipped with an array of temperature sensors. Cooling water, to be supplied from a
standard laboratory tap is fed to one side of the test pieces in order to maintain a steady
temperature gradient.

The apparatus may also be used to measure thermal conductivity of various solid
materials, by clamping a sample of specific dimensions between the hot and cold
elements.

• Thermal conduction is the mode of heat transfer, which occurs in a material by virtue of
a temperature gradient. A solid is chosen for the demonstration of pure conduction
since both liquids and gases exhibit excessive convection heat transfer.

• In a practical situation, heat conduction occurs in three dimensions, a complexity which

often requires extensive computation to analyze. In the laboratory, a single dimensional
approach is required to demonstrate the basic law that relates of heat flow to
temperature gradient and area.

• The heat conduction study bench consists of two electrically heated modules mounted
on a bench support frame. One module contains a cylindrical metal bar arrangement for
a variety of linear conduction experiments while the other consists of a disc for radial
conduction experiment. Both test modules are equipped with an array of temperature
sensors. Cooling water, to be supplied from a standard laboratory tap is fed to one side
of the test pieces in order to maintain a steady temperature gradient.

• The instrumentation provided permits accurate measurement of temperature and power

supply. Fast response temperature probes, with a resolution of 0.1C. The power
control circuit provides a continuously variable electrical output of 0-100 watts. All the

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temperature and power readings are interface to the computer by a set of I/O modules.
Computer will display the direct reading of the temperature sensors and power input to
the heater for ease of monitoring and data acquisition.

• The test modules are designed to minimize errors due to true three-dimensional heat
transfer. The basic principles of conduction can be shown without knowledge of
radiation or convection heat transfer. The linear test piece is supplied with
interchangeable samples of conductors and insulators to demonstrate the effects of
area, conductivity and series combinations. Contact resistance may also be
investigated, and the important features of unsteady state conditions may be
demonstrated.

• The apparatus may also be used to measure thermal conductivity of various solid
materials, by clamping a sample of specific dimensions between the hot and cold
elements.

• A practical works associated with the heat conduction have to fulfill a number of
requirements, therefore, the safety factor has to be considered as described in term of
the safety precaution. High voltage exists in the unit and if there are accessible in the
control panel, the unit has to be switched off and return to the supplier for any
servicing. There are some points, really, should be considered as follows, in time when
the unit in operation.
1. Turn off the power supply to the control panel before connecting the heater
Power plug.
2. Never splash water to the control panel this will caused body injury and
Damage to the equipment.
3. Never use your bare hand to test the AC power supply. It may cause
Hazardous injury.
4. Do not operate the head conduction bench where explosive vapors or
Flammable materials exist. Death or serious injury could result.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

• Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of the theoretical conduction heat transfer
study principle that would be explained as when a temperature gradient exits in a
body, there is an energy transfer from the high temperature region to low
temperature region. We say that the energy is transferred by Conduction and the
heat transfer rate per unit area (Q/A) is proportional to the normal temperature
gradient as follows. Therefore, the rate of heat transfer per unit area proportional to
the temperature gradients.
 dT 
(Q / A) . . 
 dx 
 dT 
Fourier’s law is therefore defined as, (Q / A)  K . 
 dx 

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Where k = Conduction heat transfer coefficient or Thermal conductivity of the

Material in w/mK
and Q = heat transfer rate (w/s)

 dT 
  = Temperature gradient in the direction of the heat flow.
 dx 
A = Solid cross-section area.

1
T1

qx
Q

x1 x2
solid bar

The cross-section area A

A = r2
Circle

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the theoretical conduction heat transfer

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION

• The equipment comprises two heat-conducting specimens, a multi-section bar for

the examination of linear conduction and a metal disc for radial conduction. A
control panel provides electrical and power digital for display heaters in the
specimens.

LINEAR MODULE
• Fourier’s Law of heat conduction is the most simply demonstrated with the linear
Conduction module. This comprises a heat input section fabricated from brass
fitted with an electrical heater. Three thermistor temperature sensors are installed
at 10mm intervals along the working section which has a diameter of 25mm. A
separate heat sink section also of brass is cooled at one end by running water
while its working section is also fitted with thermistor temperature sensors at
10mm intervals. The heat input section and the heat sink section may be clamped

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directly together to form a continuous brass bar with temperature sensor at 10mm
intervals, alternatively any one of three intermediate section can be fitted between
these two. The first of these is a 30mm length of the same material (brass)and is
the same diameter as the input and heat sink sections and is again fitted with
thermistor sensors at 10mm intervals. This section is clamped between the two
basic sections forms a relatively long uniform bar with nine regularly spaced
temperature sensors.

• The second center section, which may be fitted, is again brass and 30mm long but
has a diameter of 13mm and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This section
allows a study of the effect of a reduction in the cross-section of the heat-
conducting path.

• The third center section which may be fitted is of stainless steel and has the same
dimensions as the first brass section. No temperature sensors are fitted. This
section allows the study of the effect of a change in the material while
maintaining a constant cross-section.

• The mating ends of the five sections are finely finished to promote good thermal
contact although heat-conducting compound may be smeared over the surfaces to
reduce thermal resistance.

• The heat-conducting properties of insulators may be found by simply inserting a

thin specimen between the heated and cooled metal sections. An example of such
an insulator is a piece of paper.

• Heat losses from the linear module are reduced to a minimum by a heat-resistant
casing enclosing an air space around the module. The interchangeable center
sections have their own attached casing pieces which fit with those of the heat
input and heat sink sections.

• The thermistor temperature sensors are connected to miniature plugs fitted to the
casing and connection from the sensors to the temperature input module is made
via nine sensor leads fitted with appropriate sockets.

RADIAL MODULE
• The radial conduction module comprises a brass disc 110mm diameter and 3mm
thick heated in the center by an electrical heater and cooled by cold water in a
circumferential copper tube. Thermistor temperature sensors are fitted to the
center of the disc and at 10mm intervals along a radius there being six in all.
Again heat losses are minimized by preserving an air gap around the disc with a
heat-resistant casing. As in the linear module, the thermistor connections are
brought out to plugs in the casing to which six sensor leads fitted with appropriate
sockets may be connected to obtain the temperature readings on the computer.

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CONTROL PANEL
• Either of the heat-conduction modules may be connected to an control panel
which allows the heater input power to be set and the temperature at any of the
sensors to be shown in C on the computer.

• Heater power is controlled by a variable auto transformer and displayed on a

digital indicator. Power outputs from 0 to 100 watts may be obtained.

SPECIFICATION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

• The specification of the heat conduction study bench for both Linear module and
Radial module are characterized as follows,
a. Process equipment
b. Process instrumentation
c. Material of construction

• The specification can be illustrated in details according to the following points,

1. Brass fitted with electric heater.

2. Three thermistor temperature sensors are installed at 10mm intervals

along the working section (Diameter =25mm).

3. Heat sink section made from brass is cooled at one end by running
water while its working section is also fitted with thermistor
temperature sensors at 10mm intervals.

4. The heat input section and the heat sink section may be clamped
directly together to form a continuous brass bar with temperature
sensor at 10mm intervals or alternatively any one of the three
intermediate section can be fitted between these two. The first of these
is a 30mm length of the same material brass and is the same diameter
as the heat input and heat sink sections and is again fitted with
thermistor sensors at 10mm intervals.

5. A relatively long uniform bar with nine regularly spaced temperature

sensors may be formed due to the above section is clamped between
the two basic sections.

6. The second center section fitted with brass (length=30mm and

diameter=13mm) and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This
allows a study of the effect of reduction in the cross-section of the
heat-conducting path.

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7. Third center section fitted of stainless steel (length=30mm and

diameter=13mm) and is not fitted with temperature sensors. This
allows the study of the effect of a change in the material while
maintaining a constant cross-section.

8. The mating ends of the five sections are finely finished to promote
good thermal contact although heat-conducting compound may be
smeared over the surfaces to reduce thermal resistance.

9. The properties of the heat conducting of the insulators may be found

by simply inserting a thin specimen between the heated and cooled
metal sections. An example a piece of paper as an insulator can be
used.

10. A heat-resistant casing enclosing an air space around the module is

used to reduce to minimum the heat losses from the linear module. The
interchangeable center sections have their own attached casing pieces,
which fit with those of the heat input and sink sections.

11. The thermistor temperature sensors are connected to miniature plugs

which are fitted to the casing and connection from the sensors to the
temperature input module are made via nine sensors leads fitted with
appropriate sockets.

12. For the radial conduction module comprises a brass disc 110mm and
3mm thick heated in the center by an electrical heater and cooled by
cold water in a circumferential copper tube. Thermistor temperature
sensors are fitted to the center of the disc and at 10mm intervals along
a radius there being six in all. Again preserving an air gap around the
disc with a heat-resistant casing minimizes heat losses. As in the linear
module the thermistor connections are brought out to plugs in the
casing to which six sensor leads fitted with appropriate sockets may be
connected to obtain the temperature readings on the computer.

13. Either of the heat-conduction modules may be connected to an control

panel which allows the heater input power to be set and the
temperature at any of the sensors to be shown in C on the computer.

14. Heater power is controlled by a variable autotransformer and displayed

on a digital indicator. Power outputs from 0 to 100 watts may be
obtained.

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PRE-LAB TEST:

1) Describe the objectives of this experiment in your own words.

2) Define the following terms:

- heat conduction
- homogeneous bar
- composite bar

3) What is the Fourier’s law.

4) What kind of data that needs to be collected from this experiment. How the data can
be used to achieve the objectives of this experiment?

5) What is thermal conductivity, k and overall heat transfer coefficient, U? How to

obtain both values?

EXPERIMENTS

It would be advisable to note that before starting any experiments, make sure that you
have read and understood the safety and the operating procedures. This includes the
safety instructions, the safety schedule and the general start-up procedure. The complete
safety and operating procedure are available in the appendix at the end of this lab manual
for your reference. Please read them carefully.

EXPERIMENT NO.1

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this experiment is to determine the heat conduction along a

homogeneous bar.

THEORY:

• The rate of the heat transfer per unit time (Q) by conduction through a plane
Wall of thickness (dx) and cross-section area (A) supports a temperature
difference (dT) is found to be, according to Fourier’s law, as

dT
QA
dx
• If the material of the plane wall is homogeneous and has a thermal conductivity
dT
(k) Then: Q = A k
dx
• It should be noted that heat flow is positive in the direction of temperature fall.

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PROCEDURES
i). Insert an intermediate section into the linear module and clamp together.
ii). Connect one of the water tubes to the water supply and other to drain.
iii). Connect the heater supply lead for the linear conduction module into the
power supply socket on the control panel.
iv). The nine sensors leads must be connected to the nine plugs on top of the linear
conduction module. Connect the left-hand sensor lead from the module to the
place marked TT1 on the control panel. Repeat this procedure for the remaining
eight sensor leads, connecting them from left to right on the module and in
numeral order on the control panel.

v). The Auto/OFF switch has to be checked on the electrical console is in the off
position.
vi). The water supply has to be turned on and ensuring that water is flowing from
the free end of the water pipe to drain.
vii). The heater power control knob in the control panel has to be rotated to the fully
anticlockwise position.
viii).The main Auto/OFF switch has to be set to the Auto position when the digital
reading outs will be illuminated.
ix). The D-shell 9 pin connector has to be connected from the control panel to the
computer’s com 2.
x). The computer has to be switched on and then loading the heat conduction
experiment software.
xi). When assembling the sample between the heater and the cooler care must be
taken to match the shallow shoulders in the housings. Also ensure that the
temperature measurement points are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the
unit.

DATA SHEET

Test Wattmeter TT1 TT2 TT3 TT4 TT5 TT6 TT7 TT8 TT9
No. Q watts C C C C C C C C C

A
B
C
D

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TEMP.
IN C
D
C
B
A
TT1 TT2 TT3 TT4 TT5 TT6 TT7 TT8 TT9

EXPERIMENT 2

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this experiment are to determine the heat conduction along a
composite bar or wall and evaluating the overall heat transfer coefficient.

THEORY:

• The rate of heat transfer per unit area flows through successive slabs is the same.
Therefore from Fourier’s law,

Q T  THI T  TCI T  TCS

 k H HS  k S HI  k C CI
A XH XS XC

 U THS  TCS 
Q
From which it follows that
A

1 XH XS XC
Where   
U kH kS kC

Therefore U is the overall heat transfer coefficient for the composite wall and
1/U = ∑ Resistances. Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram of the composite
wall.

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Material S
Q Material Material C
H
Q

XH XS
XC

THS THI TCI TCS

Figure 2: This figure shows the schematic diagram of

composite wall of material H, S, and C in order to
determine the overall heat transfer coefficient U for
the wall.

PROCEDURES:

i) The procedures are the same as in experiment no.1, but six sensor leads are
connected to the plugs on top of the linear conduction module (TT1, TT2, TT3,
andTT7, TT8, TT9). Connecting the left-hand sensor lead from the module to the
place marked TT1 on the control panel. Repeating this procedure for the remaining
five sensors leads, connecting them from left to right on the module and in numeral
order on the control panel.

ii) Then the rest of the other points in the procedures are the same as in experiment 1.

DATA SHEET

Test No. Watt meter 0C TT1 0C TT2 0C TT3 0C TT7 0C TT8 0C TT9 0C
A
B
C
D

D
C
B
A

TT1 TT2 TT3 TT7 TT8 TT9

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REFERENCES

1. Holman, J.P., Heat Transfer, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1992.

2. Incropera, F.P., and Dewitt, D.P., Fundamentals of heat and mass transfer, J.
Wiley and sons, New York, 1996.
3. Kern, D.Q., and A.D. Kraus, Extended surface heat transfer, McGraw-Hill book
Co., New
York, 1972.

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