EXPERIMENT C2: HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

Abstract
The aim of the experiment is to study the factor which could affect linear
conduction heat transfer. The results demonstrate that linear heat transfer
obeys Fourier's law. Different materials (conductivity) and cross-sectional area
have different flux rates. Compared with stainless steel, Brass has better heat
conductivity and paper's is tiny. A large temperature drop occurs on between
contact surfaces of test section and cooler section
Introduction
1. Linear conduction heat transfer

Conduction is a mode of heat transfer, which is the heat transfer by

microscopic collisions of particles within a body.
According to Fourier’s law, the heat flux is proportional to the temperature
gradient and opposite to it in sign. For one-dimensional heat flow, dq/dA=-
k(dT/dx) . which states that:

dT
Q kA (Eq.1)
dx
where,
Q=heat flux(W)
K=thermal conductivity(W/(m•K)),

A=cross sectional area (m2)

dT/dx=temperature gradient(K/m),

Only in steady state, the temperature gradient could be replaced by

temperature difference over heat flux path
= 1− 2 (Eq.2)

For composite systems with multiply layers, it is often convenient to work

with an overall heat transfer coefficient U. Accordingly,

1
 Q  UA T (Eq.3)

Where,
ΔT=overall temperature difference(K)
And also,

1 1 1 2 2
= = + +
(Eq.4)
1 2 2

Where,
x1, x2, x3=thickness of materials (m)

k1, k2, k3=thermal conductivity for materials (W/(m•K))

2. Heat conduction through different cross-sectional area

For the continuity heat flow rate and the same conductor, Q1=Q2 and
k1=k2 and from Eq.1. Following equation can be derived:

T2
A 1  x2
T
A 2
1 (Eq.5)
x1
Objective
To demonstrate the concept of Fourier’s law that relates the rate of one-

dimensional heat flow to heat resistance, area and temperature gradient.

Procedure
Before experiment start, the water supply was turned on. Next, the computer
and the power supply were switched on.

Firstly, control knob was turned to 5 W, and A brass conductor installed

sensors was inserted between the heater and the cooler sections. The heat
power was set to 5W and the auto recorder was start. For a moment, when
the reading per 5 min we got was closed, the experiment was paused and the
date was saved. The brass section was taken apart and another, stainless
steel section, was inserted in test area. The date saving was repeated as

2
above. Then the heat was switched off to make sure that temperature of linear
conduction module below than 100 Celsius. After it was cool down, the
stainless was replaced with brass section whose cross section is smaller. For
a sufficient time, the temperature was recorded as above. Next, the brass
section was removed, the thicker one (25mm diameter brass section) was put
in linear module and a little piece of paper was insert between cool section
and test section. The date saving was repeated as above. After that, paper
was taken put and conducting compound was applied on the side of brass
section adjant to cooler section. The date saving was repeated again as
above. After that, the compound applied on interface was wiped off.

In next three rounds, control knob was turned to 10W,15W,20W

respectively and record the temperature as above.

Last, the heater was switched off but the water supply was kept
continuing until the water cooled down.
Results
1. Fourier’s law study for linear conduction of heat along a homogeneous bar
All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)

Power T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9

5W 307.25 307.15 306.85 302.05 304.85 304.75 301.65 302.95 303.95

10W 323.95 323.25 323.35 318.15 317.55 317.75 303.15 302.95 302.45

15W 335.35 333.35 334.45 326.75 326.25 326.65 303.05 302.75 302.35
20W 329.95 328.35 327.25 320.65 319.95 319.75 303.95 303.45 302.65

Table.1 Data of Experiment 1

345
y = -477,83x + 345,11
temperature/k

340 R² = 0,8381

335
y = -385,67x + 336,61
330
R² = 0,9014

325

320 y = -312,83x + 330,37

R² = 0,858
315

310

305
y = -55,833x + 307,4
300 R² = 0,5052

295
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05 0,06 0,07 0,08 0,09 0,1
5W 10W 15W 20W Distance/m
 Figure.1 T-x graph of Experiment 1
dT

can obtained from the graph slope. Cross section A is known which is

25×10−3
π( )2 ≈ 4.91 × 10−4 2 and from equation 1 we can get k=−
.
2

when Q=5W, then dT/dx=-55.833，k1=−

25× 10−3
=182.44
π(
)2 ×(−55.833)
2

10

when Q=10W, then dT/dx=-312.83，k2=−

25× 10−3
=69.34
π( )2×(−312.83)
2

15

when Q=15W, then dT/dx= -477.83，k3=−

25× 10−3
=68.09
π( )2 ×( −477.83)
2

20

when Q=20W, then dT/dx= -385.67，k4=−

25× 10−3
=105.62
π( )2 ×(−385.67)
2

so the average thermal conductivity kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=106.37 · 2.Conduction of heat and overall heat transfer along a
composite bar

All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)

Power, Q T1 T2 T3 T7 T8 T9

5W 314.55 315.05 316.85 301.75 301.95 302.05

10W 327.15 327.55 329.75 302.35 302.35 302.35
15W 339.45 342.65 345.25 302.65 302.65 302.15
20W 335.45 334.05 337.15 302.95 303.25 302.35

Table.2 Data of Experiment 2

360
y = -611,03x + 353,02
350
R² = 0,8974

340 y = -505,52x + 344,48

R² = 0,9211
330
y = -395,86x + 335,04
320 R² = 0,9067
 Figure.2 T-x graph of Experiment 2
From Eq.3:

Q  UA T

From Eq.4:
1

= + +

Where A=4.91 × 10−4 2; kbrass=106.37 · ; L=0.03m We can get thermal conductivity of the stainless steel

ksteel= 1 2
=
∆ 2

− −

When Q=5W, ∆T=T1-T9=12.50K， U=814.66 ， k1=45.22

· ·

When Q=10W, ∆T=T1-T9=24.80K， U=821.23 ， k2=45.90

· ·

When Q=15W, ∆T=T1-T9=37.30K， U=819.03 ， k3=45.67

· ·

When Q=20W, ∆T=T1-T9=33.10K， U=1230.61 ， k4=120.71

· ·

So kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=64.37
·

From internet, we can get ideal thermal conductivity of brass and common

Steel Kthoreticalbrass=109 ·
, K
thoretical
steel=50.2 ·

From eq.4,we can get

5
 1
Uthoretical= =871.03
·
thoretical + thoretical + thoretical

brass brass

Uexperimental= 1

=970.76
·
experimental + experimental + experimental

brass brass

U
theoretical exp erimental 871 03 −97 76

U 8 .  750.03
Finally,Ererror= =| |=113.49%
U theoretical 871.03

3. The effect of a change in cross-sectional area on the temperature profile

along a thermal conductor
All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)
Power, Q T1 T2 T3 T7 T8 T9

5 316.05 316.55 318.15 301.85 301.85 301.85

10 325.65 327.25 328.35 302.65 302.65 302.85

15 332.05 333.55 335.85 302.75 302.85 302.35

20 341.95 341.75 345.85 302.55 302.85 302.85

Table.3 Data of Experiment 3

6
 360
y = -620,17x + 353,98
350 R² = 0,9057

340
y = -477,76x + 342,12
R² = 0,904
330
y = -373,1x + 333,56
R² = 0,9028
320

y = -230,17x + 320,89
310
R² = 0,8961

300

290
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05 0,06 0,07 0,08 0,09 0,1
5W 10W 15W 20W
Distance/m
Линейная (5W) Линейная (10W) Линейная (15W) Линейная (20W)

Figure.3 T-x graph of Experiment 3

Cross section A is known which is π(13×10−3)2 ≈ 1.34 × 10−4 2
2

when Q=5W, then dT/dx=-230.17，k1=162.11 · when Q=10W, then dT/dx=-373.1，k2=200.02 ·

when Q=15W, then dT/dx= -477.76，k3=234.30 · when Q=20W, then dT/dx= -620.17，k4=240.67

so the average thermal conductivity kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=209.27 ·

4. The influence of thermal insulation upon the conduction

All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)

Power T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9
5W 317.85 317.35 317.45 305.95 311.35 311.45 302.15 302.05 302.05
10W 324.55 323.55 324.15 318.65 318.15 318.35 302.65 302.35 302.25

15W 340.55 337.25 336.15 325.85 323.75 324.15 302.85 302.75 302.35

7
20W 349.85 345.75 345.25 329.65 329.15 329.05 303.05 302.85 302.75

Table.4 Data of Experiment 4

360
temperature/k

y = -670,17x + 359,88
R² = 0,9092
350

340
y = -541x + 348,79
R² = 0,9136
330
y = -326,83x + 331,3
R² = 0,846
320

y = -223,67x + 320,92
310
R² = 0,7922

300

290
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05 0,06 0,07 0,08 0,09 0,1
5W 10W 15W 20W
Thickness/m
Линейная (5W) Линейная (10W) Линейная (15W) Линейная (20W)

Figure.4 T-x graph of Experiment 4

From Eq.3: Q  UA T
1
From Eq.4: = + + +

Where A=4.91 × 10−4 2; kbrass=106.37 ; L=0.03m ;=64.37 ;

· ·

x paper  1mm  0.001m

We can get thermal conductivity of the paper

Kpaper=
∆ 2

− −

When Q=5W, ∆T=T1-T9=15.8K， k1=1.92

·

When Q=5W, ∆T=T1-T9=22.3K， k1=15.4

·

When Q=15W, ∆T=T1-T9=38.2K， k1=4.54

·

When Q=5W, ∆T=T1-T9=47.1K， k1=7.93

·

8
 So kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=7.45 ·
5.The effect of surface contact on thermal conduction between adjacent slabs
of material
All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)

Q T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9

5W 318.55 317.95 318.35 304.35 313.75 313.85 302.35 302.15 302.05

10W 320.85 320.15 320.75 305.25 315.65 315.85 302.45 302.25 302.15
15W 344.85 342.05 341.25 331.05 330.25 330.75 303.15 302.85 302.45

20W 343.05 342.25 340.95 329.25 327.05 327.05 303.95 303.15 302.45
Table.5 Data of Experiment 5
360
y = -606,17x + 355,71
temperature/k

R² = 0,8745
350

340 y = -593,17x + 354,01

R² = 0,9063

330
y = -257,5x + 324,58
R² = 0,6889
320
y = -226,5x + 321,7
310 R² = 0,6857

300

290
0 0,01 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,05 0,06 0,07 0,08 0,09 0,1
5W 10W 15W 20W
Thickness/m
Линейная (5W) Линейная (10W) Линейная (15W) Линейная (20W)

Figure.5 T-x graph of Experiment 5

Sharp temperature drop occurred between the contact surfaces of three

sections. But compared with contact surface of heater section and test
section, the temperature drop in contact surface where the conducting
compound was applied is sharper.
Discussion
From experiment 1,the thermal conductivity of brass is 106.37 · . From wiki

9
we get, the theoretical value is 109 · .. The error equal 2.41%. The experiment measured value agree well with theoretical
value.

Also, from experiment 2,the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is 64.37 · . The error is
28.2% compared with theoretical value 50.2 · . And the error in overall heat transfer coefficient
is 11.4%. The reason cause the error may be the contact between test section is poor and
the contact resistance could not be neglected. And if we calculate the conductivity as the date
from experiment 5, the value is 54.7 · which more close to theoretical value. That supports
what we suppose above that the contact resistance could not be neglected in experiment 2.

In experiment 3, the slope of trend line was steeper than experiment 1. It is

consistent with the Eq.1. But the thermal conduction we got is far larger than
theoretical value. From the graph, we could see the temperature increase in
heater section. That means the date we got is not under steady state and
the date is null.
In experiment 4, the thermal conductivity of paper we gained is 7.45 · , which is not conform to theoretical
value (0.05 watts). But once consider that the thickness should be thinned than 1mm, the error is possible.

In experiment 5, temperature drop between the contact surfaces of test

and heater sections is unreasonably sharp. I guess that the linear module
didn’t achieve steady state.
Conclusion
The experiment requires us to explore the effect of material and cross-
sectional area to the heat transfer and the influence of thermal insulation and
conducting compounds on the thermal conduction.
The thermal conductivity of brass is 106.37 · and stainless steel is 64.37 · . From experiment we could see the contact resistance couldn’t be
ignored

10
most of time In the reality. And Recording the data until the steady state
is achieved are necessary.
Reference
1.FOURIER'S LAW, available from:
http://www.thermopedia.com/content/781/

2. Thermal conductivity of paper

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=zh-
CN&sl=en&u=https://sciencing.com/thermal-properties-paper-
6893512.html&prev=search

3. Properties: Stainless Steel - Grade 304 (UNS S30400) -

AZoM https://www.azom.com/properties.aspx?ArticleID=965

11