Chemical Engineering Lab-1

CHE F312

EXPERIMENT 9
Heat Pipe and Thermal Conductivity

Done By
The Umbrella Academy
(Group-2)

Srivaishnavi Kalavalapalli (2018A1PS1102P)

Aayush Singhal (2018A1PS0047)
Anushka Singh Sengar (2018A1PS0005P)
Sriram Gupta Voruganti (2018A1PS1100P)
RG Goutham (2018A1PS0727P)
Anuraj Som (2018A1PS0037P)
 ​ ​ ​Experiment - 9(a) Heat Pipe Demonstrator

1. Aim

To study the performance of heating a heat pipe and compare its working with the best conductor
and thus to calculate the thermal conductivity of the given heat pipes.

2. Objective
To calculate the thermal conductivity of the given heat pipes.

3. Theory

The thermal conductivity of a material (denoted by k) is the measure of the ability of the material
to conduct heat.
A heat pipe or heat pin is a heat-transfer device that uses thermal conduction and​ ​phase
transition to efficiently manage the transfer of heat between two surfaces. At the hot surface of a
heat pipe a liquid in contact with a conductive solid surface vaporizes by absorbing heat from
that surface. It then travels along the heat pipe to the cold interface where it condenses into a
liquid - releasing latent heat. This liquid then through either capillary action, centrifugal force, or
gravity, goes to the hot surface and the cycle repeats. Heat pipes are thermal superconductors,
due to the very high heat thermal conductivity and heat transfer capacity. This is all inside a
sealed vacuum tube.
For a gravity heat pipe, the upper end of the heat pipe releases heat, while the working media is
condensed into the liquid. Due to gravity, this liquid returns to the hot side along the inner wall
of the heat pipe, gets heated and vaporized again. The thermal resistance inside the heat pipe is
very small, which results in a larger heat transfer capacity at a smaller temperature difference.
Due to its simple structure, a gravity heat pipe has single-direction heat conductivity, and special
heat transfer mechanism (the heat exchange between the hot fluid and the cold one is done
outside the heat pipe), and so the heat transfer can be easily enhanced, the working fluid gets

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readily evaporated and boiled and the heat pipe is quick to start up the heat-transfer capability of
the heat pipe and thus can sometimes be even more than that of stainless steel and copper. Thus
the heat pipe finds use in heat exchangers where it shows high heat transfer efficiency, low flow
resistance, compact structure, high reliability, and excellent maintenance economy, and is widely
used in several applications.

4. Observations

Data given
1. Length of SS, Copper and Heat pipe (L) = 300 mm
2. Diameter of pipe (Dp) = 250mm
3. Area of pipe (Ap) = 0.04908 m​2
4. Voltage = 69 V
5. Current = 1.9A

Observation table for S.S. pipe.

Thermocouple Thermocouple Temperature (K) Temperature (K)

No. Position (mm) (Before (Before Steady (At Steady State)
Steady State) State)

1 50 306 313

2 200 305 312

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Observation table for Aluminium.
Thermocouple No.Thermocouple Position Temperature (K) Temperature (K)
(mm) (Before Steady (Before Steady (At Steady State)
State) State)

3 50 307 316

4 200 306 314

Observation table for Copper pipe.

Thermocouple Thermocouple Temperature (K) Temperature (K)

No. Position (mm) (Before (Before SteadyState) (At Steady State)
Steady State)

5 50 307 317

6 200 304 308

5. Sample Calculations

Thermocouple
Position Thermal Conductivity
(mm) (W/m K)
SS pipe Aluminium pipe Copper pipe
50 19.0796 14.8397 13.3557
200 76.3185 66.7787 133.5574

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Sample calculation for Stainless Steel pipe

Q=V*I

Q = 69 * 1.9

Q = 131.1 W

ΔT = 7

Δx = 0.05

Q = - K​A​ * A​P​ * ​ΔT / Δx

K​A​ = Q / A​P​ * (ΔT/Δx)

K​A​ = 131.1 / 0.04908 * (7/0.05)

K​A​ = 19.0796 W/ m K

ΔT = 7

Δx = 0.2

K​A​ = 131.1 / 0.04908 * (7/0.2)

K​A​ = 76.3185 W/m K

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Sample Calculation for Aluminium pipe

Q = 131.1 W

ΔT = 9

Δx = 0.05

K​A​ = Q / A​P​ * (ΔT/Δx)

K​A =
​ 131.1 / 0.04908 * (9 / 0.05)

K​A​ = 14.8397

ΔT = 8

Δx = 0.2

K​A​ = 131.1 / 0.04908 * (8/0.2)

K​A​ = 66.7787 W/m K

Sample Calculation for Copper pipe

Q = 131.1 W

ΔT = 10

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Δx = 0.05

K​A​ = Q / A​P​ * (ΔT/Δx)

K​A =
​ 131.1 / 0.04908 * (10 / 0.05)

K​A​ = 13.3557

Q = 131.1 W

ΔT = 4

Δx = 0.2

K​A​ = Q / A​P​ * (ΔT/Δx)

K​A =
​ 131.1 / 0.04908 * (4 / 0.2)

K​A​ = 133.5574

6. Results and discussions

We know the thermal conductivity of heat pipes is very high and we can see that is the case here
since it is comparable in both the cases in terms of thermal conductivity values.
Thermocouple
Position Thermal Conductivity
(mm) (W/m K)
SS pipe Aluminium pipe Copper pipe
50 19.0796 14.8397 13.3557

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200 76.3185 66.7787 133.5574

In this table we could observe that in the first case, where the thermocouple is placed at 50 mm,
the thermal conductivity K , is higher in the case of the SS pipe, whereas in the Cu pipe, the
thermal conductivity is low.
Thus when thermocouple position is constant, thermal conductivity is inversely proportional to
temperature difference. Since the temperature difference in case of copper pipe is high, thermal
conductivity of copper is low
Stainless Steel Pipe > Aluminium Pipe > Copper Pipe.

Whereas in the second case, where the thermocouple position is 200 mm, we observed that in the
case of copper pipe, the thermal conductivity is the highest, followed by Stainless Steel and
Aluminum.
Thus when thermocouple position is constant, thermal conductivity is inversely proportional to
temperature difference. Since the temperature difference in case of aluminium pipe is high,
thermal conductivity is low.
As a result the heat transfer will be maximum in the copper pipe among all three.
Copper Pipe > Stainless Steel Pipe > Aluminium Pipe

Since in the formula mentioned above, you can observe that Q, A​P​ , Δx are constant. The only
quantity which varies is the Temperature Difference ΔT.

In the first case of 50mm position, Stainless Steel had the least change of 7 K and copper had
the highest change of 10 K. In the second case, Copper had the least temperature change of 4 K
and Aluminum had the highest change of 8 K.

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 7. Conclusion
As we can see, for 50 mm position of thermocouple, the thermal conductivity of Stainless Steel
pipe> Aluminium pipe > Copper pipe. This shows that in this case the resistance to heat flow is
Copper pipe > Aluminium pipe > Stainless Steel pipe.
As we can see, for 200 mm position of thermocouple, the thermal conductivity of Copper pipe >
Stainless Steel pipe> Aluminium pipe. This shows that in this case the resistance to heat flow is
Aluminium pipe > Stainless Steel pipe > Copper Pipe.

8. References
The following references were used to gather information:
● https://www.ijemr.net/DOC/PerformanceBehaviourOfCopperPipeStainlessSteelPipeAnd
SteelHeat%20pipe(277-281)772d517e-8531-4c1b-9c74-1ab4c20052c9.pdf
● https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4782/4b13bf66ef20943fb87ac074add2e0802314.pdf

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 Expt. 9(b)- Thermal Conductivity of Solids

1. Aim

To measure the thermal conductivity of solids.

2. Objective
● To determine the Overall Thermal Conductivity of the composite wall.
● To check that the Thermal Resistances in the composite wall are connected in
series.
3. Theory
Thermal conductivity is the rate of heat transfer by conduction through unit cross
sectional area of a material, when a temperature gradient exists perpendicular to the area.

4. Observations

Diameter = 300mm,
L = 25 mm ( mild steel plate)
L = 20 mm ( hylam sheet)
L = 12 mm ( wooden plate)

S. Volt Amp. T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 Temp. of

No. (V) (A) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) (​o​C) heater (​o​C)

1 120 1.45 56.7 56.7 54.3 55.7 41.2 43.7 37.1 37.1 70

2 120 1.45 61.5 61.7 59.3 60.8 44.5 47.7 39.4 39.4 75

3 120 1.45 66.6 66.9 64.2 65.9 47.8 51.3 41.3 41.3 80

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 5. Sample Calculation
Heat transfer area perpendicular to heat flow, A = ( π /4) * D​2​ = 0.0706 m​2
Heat input Q = V * I = 174 W

Sample calculation for MS plate (80 o​​ C):

T​hi,av​ = (T​2​ + T​3​) / 2 = 66.75 o​​ C
T​ci,av​ = (T​4​ + T​5​) / 2 = 65.05 o​​ C

Thermal Conductivity for mild steel,

𝐾​1​ = (Q *𝐿​1​) / [2 *𝐴 * (𝑇​ℎ𝑖,𝑎𝑣​ –𝑇​𝑐𝑖.𝑎𝑣​)]

= (174 * 0.025) / [2 * 0.0706 * (66.75 - 65.05)]

= 18.121 W/m​o​C

Thermal Resistance for mild steel,

R​1​ = L/K​1​A

R​1​ = 0.025/(18.121*0.0706)

R​1​ = 0.019 ℃/W

Sample calculation for Hylam plate (80 o​​ C):

T​hi,av​ = (T​4​ + T​5​) / 2 = 65.05 o​​ C

T​ci,av​ = (T​6​ + T​7​) / 2 = 49.55 o​​ C

Thermal Conductivity for hylam plate,

𝐾​2​ = (Q *𝐿​2​) / [2 *𝐴 * (𝑇​ℎ𝑖,𝑎𝑣​ –𝑇​𝑐𝑖.𝑎𝑣​)]

= (174 * 0.020) / [2 * 0.0706 * (65.05 - 49.55)]

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 = 1.590 W/m​o​C

Thermal Resistance for hylam sheet,

R​2​ = L/K​2​A

R​2​ = 0.020/(1.590*0.0706)

R​2​ = 0.178 ℃/W

Sample calculation for Wooden plate (80 o​​ C):

T​hi,av​ = (T​6​ + T​7​) / 2 = 49.55 o​​ C
T​ci,av​ = (T​8​ + T​9​) / 2 = 41.3 o​​ C

Thermal Conductivity for wooden plate,

𝐾​3​ = (Q *𝐿​3​) / [2 *𝐴 * (𝑇​ℎ𝑖,𝑎𝑣​ –𝑇​𝑐𝑖.𝑎𝑣​)]

= (174 * 0.012) / [2 * 0.0706 * (49.55 - 41.3)]

= 1.792 W/m​o​C

Thermal Resistance for wooden plate,

R​3​ = L/K​3​A

R​3​ = 0.012/(1.792*0.0706)

R​3​ = 0.095 ℃/W

Calculation of K​overall​ (80 o​​ C):

K​overall​ = (Q * L) / [2 * A *((𝑇2 +𝑇3) / 2) – (𝑇8 +𝑇9) / 2))]

K​overall​ = (174 * 0.057) / [2 * 0.0706 *((66.6 + 66.9) / 2) – (41.3 + 41.3) / 2))]

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K​overall​ = 2.760 W/m​o​C

Calculation of Thermal Resistance (80 o​​ C):

In Series, Thermal Resistance R​T​ of the composite wall is given by

R​T​= ∑ R​i​ ; i = 1, 2 and 3 for MS, Hylam and Wooden Plate respectively

R​T​= R​1​ + R​2​ + R​3

R​T​= 0.019 + 0.178 + 0.095

R​T​= 0.292 ℃/W

Experimental Calculation of Thermal Resistance (80 o​​ C):

R​overall​ = L/K​overall​A

R​overall​ = 0.057/(2.760*0.0706)

R​overall​ = 0.292 ℃/W

6. Results & Discussion

Temp. of the heater: 70 o​​ C

Material T​hi,av​ ​(​o​C) T​ci,av​(​o​C) K​i​ (W/m​o​C) R​i​ ​(℃/W)

MS Plate 56.7 55 18.121 0.019

Hylam sheet 55 42.45 1.963 0.144

Wood 42.45 37.1 2.764 0.061

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K​overall​ = 3.584 W/m​o​C

R​overall​ = 0.225 ℃/W

R​T​= 0.225 ℃/W

Temp. of the heater: 75 o​​ C

Material T​hi,av​(​o​C) T​ci,av​(​o​C) K​i​ (W/m​o​C) R​i ​(℃/W)

MS plate 61.6 60.05 19.876 0.018

Hylam sheet 60.05 46.1 1.767 0.160

Wood 46.1 39.4 2.207 0.077

K​overall​ = 3.164 W/m​o​C

R​overall​ =0.254

R​T​= 0.255 ℃/W

Temp. of the heater: 80​o​C

Material T​hi,av​ (​o​C) T​ci,av​(​o​C) K​i​ (W/m​o​C) R​i (℃/W)

​

MS plate 66.75 65.05 18.121 0.019

Hylam sheet 65.05 49.05 1.590 0.178

Wood 49.55 41.3 1.792 0.095

K​overall​ = 2.760 W/m​o​C

R​overall​ = 0.292

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R​T​= 0.292 ℃/W

K​i value is the ​highest for mild steel​, followed by wood and ​lowest for the hylam sheet​.
Although the thermal conductivity value for ​wood is expected to be the lowest​, it is not the case
here. This can be due to ​non-uniform heat distribution ​and ​presence of air gaps that can
contribute to ​convective heat transfer​, or there can be ​presence of moisture which is
responsible for thermal conductivity variation. We can also see that the ​deviation is not that
much in the thermal conductivity values for hylam and wood, hence we can say it’s due to a
small experimental error.

K​overall​ is
​ ​decreasing​ ​with an increase in the heater temperature​. This can be explained by that
fact that the temperature difference between the surface immediately next to the heater and the
surface exposed to the surroundings is increasing too. This is happening due to an ​increased
temperature difference​ between the heater and the surroundings, as the surrounding
temperature always ​remains constant.​ Due to this, the ​rate is also increasing​, resulting in a
larger temperature difference between the inner and the outer surface.

R​i​ value is the ​highest for Hylam sheet​, followed by wood, and the ​lowest for mild steel​. This
can be explained by the fact that ​K​i value
​ for mild steel is the highest​, resulting in the ​least
value of R​i​. Since the ​K​i​ is lowest for the Hylam sheet​, it is expected to have the ​highest R​i​,
which is the case here.

For resistances placed in ​series​, the ​overall resistance​ is simply the​ sum of the individual
thermal resistances​. The experimentally calculated values of thermal resistance come out to be
approximately equal to that of the theoretically calculated values for the resistances placed in
series. For the heater temperature equal to 70​o​C, the ​experimental value of R is 0.225 ℃/W​,
and the ​theoretical value is also 0.225 ℃/W​. Similarly, for heater temperatures 75​o​C and 80​o​C
also, the experimental and theoretical values are equal to 0.255 ℃/W and 0.292 ℃/W,
respectively. Hence, we can say that the ​three materials are connected in series​.

7. Conclusion

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We conclude that the K values of the materials are in the following order: K(mild
steel)>K(wood)>K(hylam sheet), this conveys that mild steel is the better conductor of heat
followed by the other two materials. This also helps us to conclude that the resistance offered in
a hylam sheet is the highest, followed by wood and the lowest for mild steel. We find that the
resistances are​ connected in series​ after comparing the individual and sum total values of the
resistances.

8. References
The following references were used to gather information:
● http://www.iaeme.com/MasterAdmin/Journal_uploads/IJMET/VOLUME_7_ISSUE_3/IJ
MET_07_03_031.pdf
● https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/thermal-conductivity

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