FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

“In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful”

Lab
Heat Radiation
01
Prepared By
Ahmad Basirul Subha bin Alias
[email protected]

Fakulti Kejuruteraan Mekanikal,

Universiti Malaysia Pahang

Lab Location
Thermodynamics Laboratory

Lab Outcomes

By the end of this lab, students should be able to:

1. To show that the intensity of radiation varies as the fourth power the source
temperature as stated in Stefan-Boltzmann’s Law.
2. To demonstrate that the exchange of radiant energy from one surface to
another is dependent upon their interconnecting geometry.

20 Group Members Student ID Section

100
BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab
 Page 2 of 8
1.0 Heat Radiation Study

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

The Stefan-Boltzmann Law, also known as Stefan's Law, states that the total energy
radiated per unit surface area of a black body in unit time (known variously as the black-
body irradiance, energy flux density, radiant flux, or the emissive power), j*, is directly
proportional to the fourth power of the black body's thermodynamic temperature T (also
called absolute temperature).

Mathematically, Stefan-Boltzmann Law can be written as:

qb= σ (TS 4- Ta 4)

Where:

qb = energy emitted by unit area of a black body surface (Wm-2). (Note: Energy emitted
by surface =3.040 x reading from radiometer R)
σ = Stefan-Boltzmann constant equal to 5.67 x 10-8 (Wm-2 K-4)
TS= Source temperature and surrounding (K)
Ta= Temperature of radiometer and surroundings (K)

Area Factors

Figure 1: Area Factor in Heat Radiation

The heat transfer rate from one radiating black surface to another is dependent on the
amount that each surface can ‘see’ of the other surface. In order to solve radiant heat
transfer problems an area factor F is introduced where F is defined by the fraction of
energy emitted per unit time by one surface that is intercepted by the other surface.

Thus, the time rate of radiant heat transfer (Q12) between two black surfaces of area A1
and A2 at temperatures T1 and T2 respectively is given by:
Q 12 =A1F12 σ(T14- T24)

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab

 Page 3 of 8

Area factors are found by analysis, numerical approximation and analogy, and results for
common configurations have been published in graphical form.

2.0 Experiment Setup and Equipment

Figure 3: Apparatus Setup for Area Factors Experiment

Equipments

Equipments are as indicated in the schematic diagrams (Figure 3).

3.0 Experiment Procedure

Test 1: To show that the intensity of radiation varies as the fourth power the source
temperature as stated in Stefan-Boltzmann’s Law

1. Connect one of the thermocouple of the target plates T1 to the service unit and place
the plate on the bench, to record ambient temperature.
2. Position the radiometer on the test track at 800mm from the heat source.
3. Select the selector knob on Heat Transfer Service Unit to read the radiometer
measurement.
1. Set the heater temperature to 250°C by heater controller. Monitor T4 reading on the
Heat Transfer Service Unit.
4. When T4 value has stabilized, move the radiometer to 300mm from the heated plate.
The reading of the radiometer should start to rise. When the value has stabilized,
record T1, T4, the distance, x and the radiometer reading, R.
5. Next, move the radiometer to 800mm from the heated plate again.
6. Repeat the above procedure with an increment of 50°C from 250°C to 400°C.
7. Calculate the relationship between the Stefan Boltzman Law and the corrected
radiation reading (Rc), given as a factor of F.

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab

 Page 4 of 8

Test2: To demonstrate that the exchange of radiant energy from one surface to another is
dependent upon their interconnecting geometry

1. Install the aperture holder at 200mm from the heated surface. Then install the
radiometer on the track at 800mm from the heated surface.
2. Supply 400°C to the heaters. Monitor T4 indicator reading on the Heat Transfer
Service Unit.
3. When T4 value has stabilized, move the radiometer position to 100mm from the
aperture position. The reading of the radiometer should start to rise. When the value
has stabilized, record T4, aperture width and R.
4. Next, install the aperture plates on the aperture holder and adjust the width to 5mm.
Again, record T4, aperture width and R when the reading has stabilized.
5. Increase the gap with an increment of 5mm increment and repeat the above
procedures.
6. Calculate the Area Factor.
7. Plot Area factor against Aperture width (in mm) graph.

4.0 Result

Test 1: To show that the intensity of radiation varies as the fourth power the source
temperature as stated in Stefan-Boltzmann’s Law

Table 1: Results for Test 1

Heater Radiometer
Distance T1 T4
Temperature Reading
x(mm) (°C) (°C)
(°C) R(W/m2)
250 300
300 300
350 300
400 300

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab

 Page 5 of 8

Test2: To demonstrate that the exchange of radiant energy from one surface to another is
dependent upon their interconnecting geometry

Table 2: Results for Test 2

Width (mm) X (mm) R (W/m2)

No Aperture
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70

5.0 Discussion

(1) What actually happen during heat radiation process?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

(2) What is the most significant point that can be deduced from your relationship
between the Stefan-Boltzmann Law and the corrected Radiation Reading Rc

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

(3) Discuss about the graph you have plotted

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab
 Page 6 of 8
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

(4) What factors will affect the radiation process?Briefly eloborate your answers.

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Conclusion

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab

 Page 7 of 8

APPENDIX

WORK SHEET

Calculation for the relationship between Stefan Boltzman Law and the corrected
radiation reading (Rc)

Calculation for Area Factor

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab

 Page 8 of 8

APPENDIX

WORK SHEET

BMM3531 Engineering Themodynamics Lab