King Fahd University of Petroleum &

Minerals: Department of Chemical

Engineering

CHE-309: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

LABORATORY-I
EXPERIMENT: Combined Convection and Radiation

Author:
Name: WALEED MANSOUR ALAMRI ID# 202023760

Date Experiment Performed: 28/01/2024.

Date Experiment Submitted: 11/02/2024.

Submitted to: Mr. ESAM FALLATAH

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Abstract
This abstract describes an experimental study of coupled convection and radiation heat transport
processes carried out at the laboratory of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).
The goal of the experiment was to clarify, in a controlled environment, how convective and radiative heat
transfer mechanisms interact.
A specially constructed test rig with a heated plate, a surrounding enclosure, and a heat source was the
apparatus used in the experiment. Convective and radiative heat transfer measurements were made easier
by the enclosure, while the heat source supplied a regulated heat flux to the plate. Temperature gradients,
heat fluxes, and surface temperatures were highly precisely monitored with the use of key instruments
such thermocouples, heat flux sensors, and an infrared camera.
In order to examine the impact of various parameters on combined heat transfer, the experimental
methods involved altering heat flux, surface emissivity, fluid flow rate, and temperature gradients. The
experiment's goals were to measure convection and radiation's contributions to total heat transfer and
investigate their relationships by methodically changing these parameters.

Introduction
The combination of combined convection and radiation heat transfer along with accessories shown in
figure 1 is one of the major processes needed to achieve high efficiency of thermal systems in different
engineering applications. The purpose of the KFUPM laboratory experiment was to study how two heat
transfer mechanisms, namely, convection and radiation, interact. The research employed advanced
facilities and tailored instruments to investigate the interaction of surface emissivity, flow velocities, and
heat flux on combined heat transfer. The research conclusions are highly relevant not only to improve
heat regulation methods but also to enhance the performance of various industrial systems.

Figure 1: Attachment for Mixed Convection & Radiation Exchange Heater

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Theory
When a surface is at a higher temperature than its surrounding air, heat is transferred from the surface to
the air and surroundings. This transfer involves both natural convection (where heated air rises) and
radiation to the surroundings.
In this experiment, a horizontal cylinder serves as a simple shape for calculating heat transfer. Natural
convection's effectiveness is quantified using the Nusselt number (Nu), which depends on the Grashof
(Gr) and Prandtl (Pr) numbers, and the heat transfer correlation can be represented as
Nu = f (Gr, Pr), with the Rayleigh number (Ra) being Gr × Pr.
The theoretical analysis utilizes an empirical relationship proposed by VT Morgan for natural convection
heat transfer.
The entire amount of heat lost by the combustion chamber:
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝑄𝑐 + 𝑄r (1)
Heating losses as a result of convection:
𝑄𝑐 = 𝐻𝑐𝑚 𝐴𝑠 (𝑇𝑠 – 𝑇𝑎) (2)
The radiation-induced losses of heat:
𝑄𝑟 = 𝐻𝑟𝑚 𝐴𝑠 (𝑇𝑠 – 𝑇𝑎) (3)
whereby the outermost area or region for heat transmission: As = πDL

One may get the mean thermal transfer factor over radiating (Hrm) as (W/m2. K) by applying the
following formula.:

𝐻𝑟𝑚 = 𝜎 𝜉 𝐹 (𝑇𝑠^4 – 𝑇𝑎^4) / (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎) (4)

Whereas,
σ = Stefan Boltzmann constant (56.7×10^-9 W/m^2. K^4)
ξ = Emissivity of Surface, (Dimensionless)
F = 1 = View factor, (Dimensionless)
The average heat transfer coefficient for natural convection Hcm (W/m^2. K) can be calculated as
follows:
𝐻𝑐𝑚 = 𝑘 𝑁𝑢𝑚 /D (5)
Whereas,
k = Thermal conductivity of air, (W/m. K)
Num = Average Nusselt number = c (RaD)^n
c and n = constants can be taken from Table 1 below

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RaD = Rayleigh number
𝑅𝑎𝐷 = 𝑔 𝛽 (𝑇𝑠 – 𝑇𝑎) 𝐷^3 /𝑣^2 (6)
𝛽 = 1 /𝑇𝑓𝑖𝑙m (7)
𝑇𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 = (𝑇𝑠 + 𝑇𝑎) /2 (8)

Table 1: Classical Convection over a Flat Surface: Coefficient c & the Exponent n
Cylinder (Source - Morgan)

A different technique for determining the thermal transfer coefficient in free convection is to utilize an
altered formula. (McAdams, 1959):
𝐻𝑐𝑚 = 1.32 ((𝑇𝑠 – 𝑇𝑎) /𝐷) ^0.25 (9)
It is necessary to compute the value for The Hcm utilizing either the initial or modified formulas and to
verify the results.
The tiny circulations of air caused by variations in air density when the air is warmed from its outer layer
restrict the amount of heat that can be transferred from a surface during free or spontaneous convection.
Convection by force allows for significantly higher circulation of air, which improves the rate at which
heat is transferred by a surface. As a result, the outside temperature of a surface that is exposed to forced
convection is going to be lower than that of the identical surface. Unrestricted convection, for identical
power supply. The following relationship can be used to compute the forceful convection heat transfer
values, Hfm (W/m2. K):
𝐻𝑓𝑚 = 𝑁𝑢m 𝑘/𝐷 (10)
The following mathematical equation can be applied to determine the mean Nusselt value Num.:
(11)

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Whereas,
Re = Reynolds number = (Uc D / ν), (dimensionless)
Pr = Prandtl number for air, (dimensionless)
Uc = Corrected air velocity, (m/s) = 1.22 Ua
A localized rise in the speed of air is caused by the cylindrical structure, which blocks the passageway.
The external temperature of the surroundings determines the values for k, n, & Pr.

Data Analysis & Results and Discussion

First Experiment:

Table 2: Data from Experiment 1

Table 1 shows the contrast for every value among Qc & Qr, Qin vary primarily in that the earlier one will
always be larger. As both the temperature and voltage of a film rise, so does the amount of input
transference of heat.

Figure 2: Plot from Table 2

As shown in Figure 2 as the Qin increase the temperature of the duct increases which as well showed a
connection between the heater and the temperature of the duct.

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 Figure 3: Plot from Table 2
Figure 3 demonstrates the relationship between the temperature and the radiation and convection
coefficient which shows the increase of both.

Second Experiment:

Table 3: Data from Experiment 2

The amount of heat loss to the environment is the main factor causing the variance among Qin and Qf, Qr.
Also, it can be seen that T10 is directly proportional to the velocity of air Ua in negative way.

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 Figure 4: Plot from Table 3
From Figure 4 we can identify that the relation between the air flow speed and the temperature are if the
Ua increase T10 decrease which shows the phenomena of force convection

Figure 5: Plot from Table 3

Figure 5 illustrates that the Hrm doesn’t affected by the Ua as shown in Figure 4 but only Hfm which the
force conviction get affected.

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Third Experiment:

Table 4: Data from Experiment 3

At a speed of one m/s and five meters per second, respectively, Figure 6 illustrates the relationship
between the orientation of the angle and the surface temperature T10. Although for air speeds Ua = 1 m/s
and 5 m/s, respectively, the relationship between the angular position and the local Nusselt number is
shown in Figure 7. The irregular changes in the points prevent the plot from illustrating the link between
T10 and Nu for both 1 and 5 m/s. The outside temperature of the heated fluid increases slightly as the
volumetric flow rate increases. Nevertheless, the boiling fluid's discharge temperature slightly decreases
while the rate of flow rises. Conversely, the two figures demonstrate that the T10 is completely unaffected
by the angle position.

Figure 6: Plot from Table 4

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 Figure 7: Plot from Table 4

Conclusion:
The experiments investigating combined convection and radiation heat transfer revealed fundamental
insights into the dynamic interplay between these mechanisms. By meticulously analyzing data, several
key relationships emerged, enriching our understanding of thermal transport phenomena. The dominance
of natural convection over radiation in transferring heat to the surrounding air was evident, as reflected in
the contrast between convective and radiative heat transfer rates. Temperature variations within the duct
underscored the impact of forced convection on surface cooling, with surface temperature inversely
correlated to air velocity. Moreover, the distinct behaviors of radiation and forced convection coefficients
highlighted the differential effects of air velocity on heat transfer mechanisms. Despite some erratic
changes, the experiments elucidated spatial and velocity-dependent variations in temperature profiles and
local heat transfer rates. In essence, these findings deepen our comprehension of heat transfer processes
and provide valuable data for refining engineering designs and heat transfer models. Future research may
explore additional parameters and refine experimental techniques to further elucidate the intricacies of
combined heat transfer phenomena, fostering advancements in thermal engineering practices.

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Appendices:

Table 5: Notation

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Sample Calculation:

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