Heat conduction in a Fin

FADI FARES
KARA COX
BEN HOWLAND

Outline
Introduction
Objectives
Apparatus
Procedure
Safety
Results
Error

and Discussion

Analysis

Conclusion

HEAT CONDUCTION
Heat

transfer is energy due to

temperature difference

the

rate of heat transfer in a certain

direction depends On the temperature
difference per unit length

The

fundamental modes of heat transfer

are conduction, convection and radiation

The

best example of heat transfer is the

cooling or heating system

Objectives
Develop

a solution to the dimensionless heat

conduction equation

Compare

the theoretical profile predictions with the

actual measured temperature profiles for both
thermometers

Calculate
Compare

the rate of heat removal for each fin

the performance of the two thermometers

and comment on their accuracy and general
strengths and weaknesses in use.

Apparatus

Figure 1: Fin placed on a hot

plate

Figure 2: Thermal Gloves

Apparatus Continued

Thermocouple thermometer
www.hcs77.com

IR thermometer
www.coleparmer.com

Procedure

Turn on 3 hot plates

Place the large fins facing the group on the hot plates, heat to 200 C

Begin measuring the temperature of the base plate with both IR and
thermocouple thermometers to ensure the temperature is 200 C

Begin measuring the temperature along the fin at one-inch increments

base to edge (8 readings) record values

Repeat for all 3 fins record values

Flip all fins 180 degrees (short fin facing the group)

Take temperature measurements at 1 inch increments along the short fin

(5 readings) record values

Repeat for all 3 fins record values

After all reading are taking, turn off the hot plates

Procedure Continued

Figure 5 : Measuring Procedure

Safety Assessment
Working
Wear

with hot materials

thermal gloves to protect hands

from burns

Relevant Equations

Theoretical Model Code (MATLAB)

Dimensionless model for Aluminum Long fin

Dimensionless model code for Aluminum Long fin

Results

Results Continued

Results Continued

Results Continued

Results Continued

Results Continued

Thermocouple vs. Infrared Comparison

Advantages

Thermocouple

Infrared

Direct temperature
reading
More accurate

Can use at a distance

Measurement can be
disrupted

Disadvantages

Contact angle affects

results

No direct contact
Contact angle affects
results

Discussion

Data matched the theoretical model trends

Large gap between data and model for aluminum fin and
copper fin

Copper has the highest thermal conductivity

Stainless steel has the lowest thermal conductivity

Thermocouple is more accurate

Model is a function of distance from the base to the

surface point of reading

The heat flux from the plates vary

Error Analysis
Time
IR

of fin to hot plate exposure

reads at a distance

Air

flow affect IR reading

Thermocouple
Variance

contact angle

between hot plate temperatures not

heated at a constant rate

Conclusion
Thermocouple
Copper

is more accurate thermometer

has the highest thermal conductivity

Stainless

steel has the lowest thermal

conductivity

Copper

had the highest rate of heat transfer

Stainless

transfer

steel had the lowest rate of heat