MAK 302L HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 4-EXTENDED SURFACE HEAT TRANSFER

1. PURPOSE
 Measuring the temperature distribution along an extended surface and comparing the
result with theoretical analysis.
 Calculating the heat transfer from an extended surface resulting from the combined
modes of free convection and radiation heat transfer and comparing the result with
theoretical analysis.
 Determining the constant of proportionlity (the thermal conductivity k) of the rod
material.

2. THEORY
Where it is required to cool a surface by convection, the rate of heat removal can be
improved by increasing the area of the surface. This is usually achieved by adding extended
surfaces called fins or pins.
A temperature gradient exists along each fin or pin due to the combination of the
conductivity of the material and heat loss to the surroundings (greater at the root and less at the
tip). The temperature distribution along the fin or pin must be known to determine the heat
transfer from the surface to its surroundings. Since radiation and natural convection from the
surface occur simultaneously , both of these effects must also be included in the analysis. By
considering the steady-state energy balance for an extended surface of uniform material and
cross sectional area the following equation can be derived:

𝑑 2 𝜃(𝑥) (𝐻𝑃)
− 𝑚2 𝜃(𝑥) = 0 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑚2 = 𝜃(𝑥) = 𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇𝑎 (1)
𝑑𝑥 2 (𝐴𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 )

Since H,P,A and kbrass are constant for a given rod with fixed power input, m2 must be
constant.

Assuming that the diameter of the pin is small in comparison with its length then heat
loss at the tip can be assumed to be negligible (at the tip x=L).
𝑑𝜃(𝑥)
= 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿 (2)
𝑑𝑥

Therefore;
𝜃(𝑥) 𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚(𝐿 − 𝑥)
= = (3)
𝜃0 𝑇1 − 𝑇𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚𝐿
 The purpose of this exercise is to observe the temperature gradient along the extended
surface and to show that the term m is constant at all positions along the surface.

The following theoretical analysis uses the empirical relationship for the heat transfer
due to natural convection proposed by W.H. McAdams in the publication ‘’Heat
Transmission’’, third edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959. The total heat loss from the rod
can be calculated as follows:

𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐻𝐴𝑠 (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) (4)

Where the heat transfer coefficient H is the combined coefficient due to natural
𝑊
convection and radiation (ie H = 𝐻𝑐𝑚 + 𝐻𝑟𝑚 (𝑚2 𝐾) )

And

𝐴𝑠 = 𝜋𝐷𝐿 (𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒) (5)

Where:
L=Length of rod (distance from T1 to T8) (m)
D=Diameter of rod

The average convective heat transfer coefficient Hcm can be calculated using the
following simplified empirical relationship:
2
(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) 𝑊
𝐻𝑐𝑚 = 1.32 [ ] ( 2 ) (6)
𝐷 𝑚 𝐾

Where:
Ts=Average surface temperature of the rod (K)
(Determined from temperatures T1 to T8+273)
Ta=Ambient air temperature (=T9+273) (K)

The average radiative heat transfer coefficient Hrm can be calculated using the
following relationship:

(𝑇𝑠 4 − 𝑇𝑎 4 ) 𝑊
𝐻𝑟𝑚 = 1.32 ( ) (7)
(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) 𝑚2 𝐾
 The heat flow along an extended surface is dependent on the conductivity of the material
from which the pin (or fin) is constructed, namely:
𝐻𝑃
𝑚2 = (8)
𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝐴

Rearranging this equation gives:

𝐻𝑃
𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = (9)
𝑚2 𝐴

Where:
H=Overall heat transfer coefficient due convection and radiation
P=Perimeter of the pin =πD
A=Cross sectional area of the pin=πD2/4

The value for m can be obtained from the below relationship using measured values for
Tx, T1, Ta, L and x.
𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚(𝐿 − 𝑥)
= (10)
𝑇1 − 𝑇𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚𝐿

Overall heat transfer coefficient Hcm due to convection and radiation from the rod to its
surroundings can be calculated as follows:

𝐻 = 𝐻𝑐𝑚 + 𝐻𝑐𝑟

H=Hcm+Hrm

The average het transfer coefficient Hcm due to convection can be calculated using
equation (6).

The average heat transfer coefficient Hrm due to radiation can be calculated using the
following relationship:

(𝑇𝑠 4 − 𝑇𝑎 4 ) 𝑊
𝐻𝑟𝑚 = 𝜎𝜀𝐹 ( ) (7)
(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) 𝑚2 𝐾

Where;
σ=Stefan Boltzmann constant, σ=56.7x10-9 (W/m2K4)
ε= Emmissivity of surface, ε=0.95 (dimensionless)
F=View factor, F=1
3. PROCEDURE

1. Switch on the front Mains switch (if the panel meters do not illuminate check the RCD
at the rear of the srvice unit, the switch should be up.
2. Set the heater voltage to 20 Volts. If using the HT15 software to control the accessory
remotely then the voltage can be controlled using the control box on the mimic diagram
screen. If operating the accessory manually using the HT10X/HT10XC console then
adjust the VOLTAGE CONTROL potentiometer to give a reading of 20 Volts on the
top panel meter with the selector switch set to position V.
3. Monitor temperature T1 regularly using the software screen or the lower selector switch.
When T1 reaches 80 0C reduce the heater voltage to 9 Volts (the initial higher setting
will reduce the time taken for the temperatures on the rod to stabilise.
4. Allow the HT15 to stabilise. Monitor the temperatures using the software screen or the
lower selector switch/meter.
5. If using the software select the GO icon to record the voltage and current supplied to
the heater, the temperature at each position along the rod (T1 to T8) and the ambient air
temperature T9. If operating the equipment using the console then record these values
manually from the console displays.
6. Set the heater voltage to 16 Volts then allow the HT15 to stabilise. If time permits repeat
the readings with the heatre voltage set to 12 Volts then 14 Volts.

4.EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
1) Overview
The ‘Extended Surface Heat transfer’ accessory comprises a long horizontal rod, which
is heated at one end to provide an extended surface (cylindirical pin) for heat transfer
measurements. Thermocouples at regular intervals along the rod allow the surface temperature
profile to be measured. By making the diameter of the rod small in relation to its length, thermal
conduction along the rod can be assumed to be one-dimensional and heat loss from the tip can
be ignored. The measurements obtained can be compared with a theoretical analysis of thermal
conduction along the bar combined with heat loss (heat transferred) to the surroundings by the
modes of free convection and radiation simultaneously.

2) Heated Bar
The bar (3) is manufactured from a solid cylindirical brass bar with constant diameter
of 10 mm and is mounted horizontally with support (8) at the heated end and steady (1) at the
tip. The bar is coated with a heat resistant matt black paint which provides a consistent
emissivity close to unity and is positioned to avoid the influence of adjacent surfaces. The
thermal conductivity of the Brass rod is approximately 121 W/ mK at the typical operating
temperatures in the HT 15. The heated end of the bar is mounted co-axially inside a plastic
housing (5) which provides an air gap and insulates the area occupied by the heater to minimise
heat loss and prevent burns to the operator.

3) Heater
The rod is heated by a cartridge type electric heating element (7) which operates at low
voltage for increased operator safety and is protected by a thermostat (4) to prevent damage
from overheating. The heating element is insertde co-axially into the end of the rod and is rated
to produce 20 Watts nominally at 24 VDC into the rod. The power supplied to the heater rod
can be varied and measured on the HT10X/HT10XC. The lead from the heating element (xx)
is connected to the DC outlet socket marked OUTPUT 3 on the HT10X or OUTPUT 2 on the
HT10X.

4) Thermocouples
Eight thermocouples (2) are attached to the surface of the rod at equal intervals of 50
mm giving an overall instrumented length of 350 mm.Each thermocouple is wrapped around
the rod to minimise errors by conduction.

Thermocouple T1 measures the temperature at the hot end of the rod and T8 measures
the temperature at the tip. Thermocouple T9 mounted adjacent to the heated rod to measure the
ambient air temperature. All temperatures are measured using type K thermocouples each fitted
with a miniature plug for direct connection to the HT10X/HT10XC service unit (22).

The thermocouples are supported by a bar (10), positioned below the heated rod, to
minimise damage to the thermocouples where they are attached to the heated rod.

5. RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

For this experiment the raw data is tabulated under the data sheet. You should also
estimate and record the expeimental errors for these measurements. For this exercise the
following constant are applicable:
Length of rod L= 0.35 (m)
Diameter of rod D=0.01 (m)
Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ=56.7x10-9 (W/M2K4)
Emmissivity of surface ε=0.95 (dimensionless)
View factor F=1
Note:Distance between each thermocouple is 0.05 m.

1) For each position along the rod (dimension x) use the corresponding measured temperatures
to find the value of m which satisfies the relationship:
 𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇9 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚(𝐿 − 𝑥)
= (10)
𝑇1 − 𝑇9 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚𝐿

Note: The value for m can be found by iteration using a suggested starting value of 7.4.

 Find the average value of m then use this value to calculate the theoretical temperature
Tx at each position x along the rod.
 Repeat this procedure for each set of temperature readings the value for m remains
constant (within the experimental errors).
 Estimate the cumulative influence of the experimental errors on your calculated values
for m and measured values for T1 to T9, x and L.
 For each set of measurements plot a graph of measured surface temperature Tx against
position x along the extended surface and draw a smooth curve through the points.
 Plot the theoretical temperature profile which you have calculated using the average
value for m and compare the curve with your measured values.
 What was the effect of varying the heater power (heat flow along the rod)?

2) For each set of readings the derived results are tabulated under the following headings:
Heat flow (Power to heater) Qin= (W)
Average surface temperature of the rod Ts= (K)
Ambient temperature Ta= (K)
Heat transfer area (surface area) As= (m2)
Heat transfer coefficient (natural convection) Hcm= (W/m2K)
Heat transfer coefficient (radiation) Hrm= (W/m2K)
Overall heat transfer coefficient H= (W/m2K)
Total heat transferred to surroundings Qtotal= (W)

 Estimate the cumulative influence of the experimental errors on your calculated values
for Qin,Ts,Ta,Hcm,Hrm,H and Qtot and measured values for L,D,T1 to T9,V and I.
 Compare the measured power Qin to the heater with the calculated heat loss Qtot from
the rod. Comment on any difference between these values.
3) For each set of readings derived results are tabulated under the following headings:
Perimeter of the rod P= (m)
Average surface temperature of the rod Ts= (K)
Ambient temperature Ta= (K)
Heat transfer area (surface area) As= (m2)
Heat transfer coefficient (natural convection) Hcm= (W/ m2K)
Heat transfer coefficient (radiation) Hrm= (W/ m2K)
Overall heat transfer coefficient H= (W/ m2K)
Total heat transferred to surroundings Qtotal= (Wa)
Cross sectional area of rod A= (m2)
Average value for constant m= (m-1)
Conductivity of Brass rod kbrass= (W/mK)

Note: Use corresponding measured values for Tx,T1 to T9 and x to find the value of m which
satisfies the relationship:
𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇9 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚(𝐿 − 𝑥)
=
𝑇1 − 𝑇9 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ𝑚𝐿

 The value for m can be found by iteration using a suggested starting value of 7.4.
Estimate the cumulative influence of the experimental errors on your calculated values
for Ts,Ta,Hr,Hc,H,P,As,A,m and kbrass and measured values for x,L,D,T1 to T9,V, and I.
 The suggested thermal conductivity for brass rod kbrass is 121 W/m2K. Compare your
calculated value for kbrass with the suggested value and comment on any difference in
the two values.

DATA SHEET
Heater voltage V= Volts
Heater current I= Amps
Temperature at heated end where x=0 T1= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.05 m T2= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.10 m T3= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.15 m T4= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.20 m T5= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.25 m T6= (0C)
Temperature at x=0.30 m T7= (0C)
Temperature at tip where x=0.35 m T8= (0C)
Temperature of ambient air T9= (0C)