Heat Transfer Laboratory

Department of Mechanical
Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Heat Transfer Lab: ME341A

Experiment 2b
Heat transfer
through extended
surface

Date of the experiment: Thursday, 6th

April 2023
Group: D
Subgroup: D5

Members:
201112 VIJAY BHARADWAJ
201114 VIJAYA KUMARI MEENA
201125 VIPUL KUMAR ARORA
201143 YASH GUPTA
201169 YUVRAJ
180667 SANDESH NARAYAN
200946 SHLOAK BHAGAT

Date of Submission: Thursday, 13rd April 2023

Instructor-in-Charge: Dr. Umesh Madanan
Laboratory In-Charge: Mr. Farhan Babu
 Experiment No 2(b)
Heat transfer through extended surface
Objectives
Measure temperature distribution along an extended surface and compare results with that obtained
using theoretical analysis

Calculate heat transfer from an extended surface resulting from combined modes of free convection
and radiation heat transfer and compare results with that obtained using theoretical analysis

Determine thermal conductivity of the rod material

Theory
Part 1:
The term extended surfaces is commonly used to depict an important special case involving heat
transfer by conduction within a solid and heat transfer by convection (and/or radiation) from the
boundaries of the solid. The direction of heat transfer in extended surfaces from the boundaries is
perpendicular to the principal direction of heat transfer in the solid. A temperature gradient exists
along each fin (or, pin) due to a combination of conductivity of the material and heat loss to the
surroundings (greater at the root and less at the tip).

Temperature distribution along the fin (or, pin) must be known to determine heat transfer from the
surface to its surroundings. Since radiation and natural convection occur simultaneously from the
surface, both these effects must also be included in the analysis.

By considering the steady-state energy balance for an extended surface of uniform material and
crosssectional area, the following equation can be derived:

𝑑2 𝜃
− 𝑚2 𝜃(𝑥) = 0
𝑑𝑥 2

where,

ℎ𝑃
𝑚2 =
𝑘brass 𝐴
𝜃(𝑥) = 𝑇𝑥 − 𝑇𝑎
Since ℎ, 𝑃, 𝐾𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 , and 𝐴 are constant for a given rod with fixed power input, 𝑚2 must also be a
constant. Assuming that the diameter of the pin is small in comparison with its length, heat loss at the
tip can be assumed to be negligible at the tip, 𝑥 = 𝐿.

𝑑𝜃(𝑥)
= 0 at 𝑥 = 𝐿
𝑑𝑥
𝜃(𝑥) 𝑇 −𝑇 cosh⁡ 𝑚(𝐿−𝑥)
Therefore: 𝜃
= 𝑇𝑥−𝑇𝑎 = cosh⁡ 𝑚𝐿
1 𝑎

Note that magnitude of the temperature gradient decreases with increasing 𝑥. This trend is a
consequence of the reduction in conduction heat transfer with increasing 𝑥 due to continuous
convection and radiation losses from the fin surface.

Figure 1: Geometrical description of experimental setup

Part 2:
Total heat loss from the rod can be calculated as follows:

𝑄tot = ℎ𝐴𝑠 (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 )(W)

where, the heat transfer coefficient (HTC), ℎ, is the combined coefficient due to natural convection
and radiation, i.e.,

ℎ = ℎ𝑐 + ℎ𝑟 (𝑊𝑚−2 𝐾 −1 )
and
𝐴𝑠 = 𝜋𝐷𝐿 (total⁡area⁡of⁡the⁡extended⁡surface)

where, 𝐿 = Length of the rod (distance from 𝑇1 to 𝑇8 ) = 35⁡cm

Note that distance between each thermocouple is 5⁡cm starting from 0.0⁡cm at 𝑇1 . 𝑇𝑠 = Average
surface temperature of the rod (averaged from temperature 𝑇1 to 𝑇8 )
𝑇𝑎 = Ambient air temperature (𝑇9 )

ℎ𝑐 𝐷
𝑁𝑢𝑐 = = 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛
𝑘
𝛽𝑔(𝑇𝑠 −𝑇𝑎 )𝐷3
where: 𝑅𝑎𝐷 = 𝑣𝑎

𝑹𝒂𝑫 𝑪 𝒏

10−10
0.675 0.058
− 10−2

10−2
1.02 0.148
− 102

102
0.85 0.188
− 10−4

104
0.48 0.25
− 107

107
− 1012

The average radiative heat transfer coefficient can be calculated as follows:

𝑇𝑠4 − 𝑇𝑎4
ℎ𝑟 = 𝜎𝜀𝐹 ( )
𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎

where: 𝜎 = Stefan Boltzmann constant = 5.67 × 10−8 (Wm−2 ⁡K −4 ), 𝜀 = Emissivity of the surface ≡
0.85, and view factor, 𝐹 = 1

Part 3:
ℎ𝑃
Finally, the thermal conductivity of the material is given as: 𝑘brass = 𝑚2 𝐴

𝜋𝐷 2
where perimeter of fin (𝑃) = 𝜋𝐷 and cross-sectional area of the pin (𝐴) = 4

Experimental Set-up
Before proceeding with the exercise ensure that equipment has been prepared as follows:

Locate the 𝐻𝑇15 Extended Surface Heat Transfer Accessory alongside the 𝐻𝑇10𝑋 Heat Transfer
Service Unit on a suitable bench. Note that since heat transfer from extended surfaces relies on
natural convection and radiation to the surroundings, both accessories must be located away from
draughts or source of radiation

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of experimental setup

Connect all nine thermocouples on 𝐻𝑇15 to appropriate sockets at the front of the service unit.

Ensure that labels on the thermocouples leads (T1 - T9) match the labels on the sockets.

Set the voltage control potentiometer to minimum (anti-clockwise) and selector switch to manual and
connect the power lead from the 𝐻𝑇15 to the socket marked 𝑂/𝑃3 at the rear of the service unit

Procedure
Switch on the main switch.

Set heater voltage to 20 volts with the help of voltage control potentiometer

Monitor temperature 𝑇1 regularly and when 𝑇1 reaches 80∘ C, reduce the heater voltage to 9 volts (the
initial higher setting will reduce the time taken for the temperature on the rod to stabilize)

Allow temperature to stabilize till a steady-state is reached

Record voltage and current supplied to the heater.

Record temperature at each position along the rod⁡(𝑇1 to 𝑇8 ) and ambient air temperature (𝑇9 )

Set the heater voltage to 12 and 16 volts and repeat the above steps

Observation Tables
Measurement for 7V
Heater Voltage, 𝑉(𝑉) : 7V

Heater current, 𝐼(𝐴) : 0.18 A

Heater Power, Qin (𝑊) : 1.26 W

Thermocouple Number T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Tamb

Description
Location 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
(m)
Temperature Time 1 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2 30.2
Tx (oC) 0 min
Time 2 39.6 37.8 36.1 32.6 31.8 31.1 31.1 31.2 30.5
10 min
Time 3 42.3 40.4 37.6 33.9 32.8 31.9 31.8 31.9 30.5
20 min
Time 4 43.2 41.0 38.1 34.5 33.3 32.3 32.2 32.2 30.7
30 min
Time 5 43.8 41.3 38.4 34.8 33.6 32.6 32.5 32.5 30.7
40 min

Measurement for 9 V
Heater Voltage, 𝑉(𝑉) : 9V

Heater current, 𝐼(𝐴) : 0.24 A

Heater Power, Qin (𝑊) :2.16 W

Thermocouple Number T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Tamb

Description
Location 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
(m)
Temperature Time 1 43.8 41.3 38.4 34.8 33.6 32.6 32.5 32.5 30.7
Tx (oC) 0 min
Time 2 49.5 43.9 40.5 36.1 34.5 33.1 32.8 32.8 30.8
10 min
Time 3 51.3 45.5 41.8 37.2 35.2 33.7 33.3 33.2 30.9
20 min
Time 4 52.0 46.0 42.2 37.5 35.7 34.1 33.7 33.7 30.9
30 min

Measurement for 11 V
Heater Voltage, 𝑉(𝑉) : 11V
Heater current, 𝐼(𝐴) : 0.29 A

Heater Power, Qin (𝑊) : 3.19 W

Thermocouple Number T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Tamb

Description
Location 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35
(m)
Temperature Time 1 52.0 46.0 42.2 37.5 35.7 34.1 33.7 33.7 30.9
Tx (oC) 0 min
Time 2 58.8 50.5 44.8 39.3 36.8 34.8 34.3 34.2 30.9
10 min
Time 3 60.1 51.7 45.9 40.2 37.7 35.5 34.8 34.7 30.8
20 min
Time 4 60.4 51.9 45.9 40.2 37.6 35.5 34.8 34.7 30.8
30 min

Results and Calculations

Set 1: 7 V
Part I:
Find the value of constant ' 𝑚 ' using any iterative technique for thermocouples 𝑇1 through 𝑇8 (the
initial guess for the value of ' 𝑚 ' can be taken 8.0)

Thermocouple m

T2 4.67

T3 5.69

T4 7.99

T5 7.96

T6 8.40

T7 7.85

T8 7.64

Average m 7.17

Calculate theoretical temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , at each point along the rod using the average value of ' 𝑚 '
 T1 43.8

T2 39.9

T3 37.2

T4 35.4

T5 34.2

T6 33.4

T7 33.0

T8 32.8

Plot measured surface temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , from experiments and the theoretical temperature profile
(calculated using the average values of ' 𝑚 ') against position 𝑥 (in the same plot) along the extended
surface.

Part II:
Compare the measured power, 𝑄𝑖𝑛 , to the heater with the calculated heat loss, 𝑄tot , from the rod.
 Average surface temperature = 36.2oC

Tf = 0.5(Ts + Ta) = 0.5(36.2 +30.7)oC = 33.45oC = 306 K (approx)

1 1
𝛽= = = 0.0033
𝑇𝑓 306𝐾
𝑚
𝛽𝑔(𝑇𝑠 −𝑇𝑎 )𝐷 3 (9.81 2)(36.2−30.7)(0.01𝑚)3
−1 𝑠
𝑅𝑎𝐷 = να
= 0.0033⁡𝐾 𝑚2
= 477.86
16.2×10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠⁡(23𝐸−6 )
𝑠

Therefore C=0.48, n=0.25

ℎ𝑐 𝐷
= 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛
𝑘

𝑘 26.7𝐸 − 3⁡𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 𝑊
ℎ𝑐 = 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛 = 0.85(477.9)0.188 = 7.24 2
𝐷 0.01⁡𝑚 𝑚 𝐾

𝑇𝑠4 − 𝑇𝑎4 5.67 × 10−8 𝑊𝑚−2 𝐾 −4 (0.85)(1)(309.24 − 303.74 )𝐾 3 𝑊

ℎ𝑟 = 𝜎𝜀𝐹 ( )= = 5.54 2
𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 309.2 − 303.7 𝑚 𝐾

𝑊
ℎ = 7.24 + 5.54 = 12.78
𝑚2 𝐾
𝑊
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ℎ𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) = 12.78 (𝜋 × 0.01⁡𝑚 × 0.35𝑚)(5.5⁡𝐾) = ⁡0.7729⁡𝑊
𝑚2 𝐾⁡
0.7729−1.26⁡𝑊
Error = 1.26𝑊
100% = -38.6%

Part III:
Compare the measured thermal conductivity with the suggested thermal conductivity for brass rod
(𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 121𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 )

𝑊
ℎ𝑃 12.78 2 (𝜋 ⋅ 0.01⁡𝑚)
𝑘measured = 2 = 𝑚 𝐾 = ⁡100𝑊/𝑚𝐾⁡
𝑚 𝐴 7.172 2 )𝑚2
⋅ 𝜋(0.25)(0.01
𝑚2

Error = -21/121 (100%) = -17.4%

Set 2: 9 V
Part I:
Find the value of constant ' 𝑚 ' using any iterative technique for thermocouples 𝑇1 through 𝑇8 (the
initial guess for the value of ' 𝑚 ' can be taken 8.0)

Thermocouple m

T2 6.85

T3 6.52

T4 7.99

T5 7.84

T6 8.24

T7 7.96

T8 7.74

Average m 7.59

Calculate theoretical temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , at each point along the rod using the average value of ' 𝑚 '

T1 52.0

T2 45.4

T3 41.0

T4 38.0

T5 36.0

T6 34.7

T7 34.0

T8 33.8

Plot measured surface temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , from experiments and the theoretical temperature profile
(calculated using the average values of ' 𝑚 ') against position 𝑥 (in the same plot) along the extended
surface.
Part II:
Compare the measured power, 𝑄𝑖𝑛 , to the heater with the calculated heat loss, 𝑄tot , from the rod.

Average surface temperature = 39.4oC

Tf = 0.5(Ts + Ta) = 0.5(39.4 +30.9)oC = 35.15oC = 308 K (approx)

1 1
𝛽= = = 0.00325
𝑇𝑓 308𝐾
𝑚
𝛽𝑔(𝑇𝑠 −𝑇𝑎 )𝐷 3 (9.81 2)(39.4−30.9)(0.01𝑚)3
𝑅𝑎𝐷 = να
= 0.00325⁡𝐾 −1 𝑠
𝑚2
= 727.33
16.2×10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠⁡(23𝐸−6 )
𝑠

Therefore C=0.48, n=0.25

ℎ𝑐 𝐷
= 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛
𝑘

𝑘 26.7𝐸 − 3⁡𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 𝑊
ℎ𝑐 = 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛 = 0.85(727.33)0.188 = 7.83 2
𝐷 0.01⁡𝑚 𝑚 𝐾

𝑇𝑠4 − 𝑇𝑎4 5.67 × 10−8 𝑊𝑚−2 𝐾 −4 (0.85)(1)(312.44 − 303.94 )𝐾 3 𝑊

ℎ𝑟 = 𝜎𝜀𝐹 ( )= = 5.64 2
𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 312.4 − 303.9 𝑚 𝐾
 𝑊
ℎ = 7.83 + 5.64 = 13.47
𝑚2 𝐾
𝑊
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ℎ𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) = 13.47 (𝜋 × 0.01⁡𝑚 × 0.35𝑚)(8.5⁡𝐾) = ⁡1.26⁡𝑊
𝑚2 𝐾⁡
1.26−2.16⁡𝑊
Error = 2.16𝑊
100% = -41.6%

Part III:
Compare the measured thermal conductivity with the suggested thermal conductivity for brass rod
(𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 121𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 )

𝑊
ℎ𝑃 13.47 2 (𝜋 ⋅ 0.01⁡𝑚)
𝑘measured = 2 = 𝑚 𝐾 = ⁡93.52
𝑚 𝐴 7.592 2 )𝑚2
⋅ 𝜋(0.25)(0.01
𝑚2

Error = -28/121 (100%) = -23%

Set 3: 11 V
Part I:
Find the value of constant ' 𝑚 ' using any iterative technique for thermocouples 𝑇1 through 𝑇8 (the
initial guess for the value of ' 𝑚 ' can be taken 8.0)

Thermocouple m

T2 6.92

T3 6.96

T4 7.90

T5 7.79

T6 8.07

T7 7.98

T8 7.68

Average m 7.61

Calculate theoretical temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , at each point along the rod using the average value of ' 𝑚 '

T1 60.4
 T2 51.1

T3 44.9

T4 40.6

T5 37.9

T6 36.2

T7 35.2

T8 34.9

Plot measured surface temperature, 𝑇𝑥 , from experiments and the theoretical temperature profile
(calculated using the average values of ' 𝑚 ') against position 𝑥 (in the same plot) along the extended
surface.

Part II:
Compare the measured power, 𝑄𝑖𝑛 , to the heater with the calculated heat loss, 𝑄tot , from the rod.

Average surface temperature = 42.6oC = 315.6K

 Tf = 0.5(Ts + Ta) = 0.5(315.6+303.8)K=309.7 K (approx)

1 1
𝛽= = = 0.003229
𝑇𝑓 309.7𝐾
𝑚
𝛽𝑔(𝑇𝑠 −𝑇𝑎 )𝐷 3 (9.81 2 )(42.6−30.8)(0.01𝑚)3
−1 𝑠
𝑅𝑎𝐷 = να
= 0.003229⁡𝐾 𝑚2
= 1003.17
16.2×10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠⁡(23𝐸−6 )
𝑠

Therefore C=0.48, n=0.25

ℎ𝑐 𝐷
= 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛
𝑘

𝑘 26.7𝐸 − 3⁡𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 𝑊
ℎ𝑐 = 𝐶𝑅𝑎𝐷𝑛 = 0.85(1003.17)0.188 = 8.32 2
𝐷 0.01⁡𝑚 𝑚 𝐾

𝑇𝑠4 − 𝑇𝑎4 5.67 × 10−8 𝑊𝑚−2 𝐾 −4 (0.85)(1)(315.64 − 303.84 )𝐾 3 𝑊

ℎ𝑟 = 𝜎𝜀𝐹 ( )= = 5.73 2
𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 315.6 − 303.8 𝑚 𝐾

𝑊
ℎ = 8.32 + 5.73 = 14.05
𝑚2 𝐾
𝑊
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡 = ℎ𝐴(𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑎 ) = 14.05 (𝜋 × 0.01⁡𝑚 × 0.35𝑚)(11.8⁡𝐾) = ⁡1.82⁡𝑊
𝑚2 𝐾⁡
1.82−3.19𝑊
Error = 100% = -60.5%
3.19

Part III:
Compare the measured thermal conductivity with the suggested thermal conductivity for brass rod
(𝑘𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 121𝑊𝑚−1 𝐾 −1 )

𝑊
ℎ𝑃 14.05 2 (𝜋 ⋅ 0.01⁡𝑚)
𝑘measured = 2 = 𝑚 𝐾 = ⁡97.04
𝑚 𝐴 7.612 2 )𝑚2
⋅ 𝜋(0.25)(0.01
𝑚2

Error = -24/121 (100%) = -20%

Discussion on Results
Discuss about your findings in the results and explain/provide reasons for deviations in the
experimental results with the theoretical/analytical solution(s).

Qtot (W/m2) kbrass (W/mK)

mavg
Qth Qexp kth kexp
7V 7.17 0.77 1.26 100
9V 7.59 1.26 2.16 121 93
11 V 7.61 1.82 3.19 97

Reasons for deviation:

1. Averaging of m is not a very good way to approximate surface temperatures and to

use in the expression for thermal conductivity.

2. Averaging of surface temperatures to find a single 𝛽 is also a crude approximation

for finding Qtot.

Conclusions
Variation of Surface Temp with Power Supplied
General theoretical and experimental temp-position curves

- There is accordance in theoretical and experimental values of Qtot with error not
exceeding 60%.
- There is accordance in theoretical and experimental values of kbrass with error not
exceeding 25%.