Heat Transfer Laboratory

Department of Mechanical Engineering​

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Experiment 4
Measurement of Emissivity
Date of Experiment: 7th Jan 2025
Date of submission: 16th Jan 2025

Group: A4
Group Members:
1.​ Aryan Verma (220230)
2.​ Ashutosh Tripathi (220242)
3.​ Ashray Kasera (220237)
4.​ Arpit Yadav (220206)
5.​ Ashish (220233)
6.​ Anwesha Dwivedi (220190)
7.​ Apoorva (220193)

Lab Teaching Assistant: Raghav Gupta

Lab Instructor: Prof. Jishnu Bhattacharya
Aim of the Experiment
To calibrate the thermocouples.

Theory
A thermocouple is an electrical device consisting of two dissimilar electrical
conductors forming electrical junctions at different temperatures. A
thermocouple produces a temperature-dependent voltage as a result of the
thermoelectric effect, and this voltage can be interpreted to measure
temperature. The temperature of a substance is a function of the intensity of
vibration of its atoms and molecules.
Thermoelectricity is a major method of measuring temperature of bodies. The
basic theory behind this is that a small voltage is generated when two different
metals are joined together. This is known as the Seebeck effect or
thermoelectric effect. The magnitude of the voltage generated depends on the
temperature of the junction. The junction can therefore be used as a
temperature transducer, converting temperature into voltage. This type of
temperature transducer is called a thermocouple.
The voltages V1 and V2 at the two junctions oppose each other and any
current in the circuit is due to the voltage difference V1-V2 which will be due to
temperature difference between the two junctions (shown in figure below).

Principle of Operation
In 1821, the German physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck discovered that when
different metals are joined at the ends and there is a temperature difference
between the joints, a magnetic field is observed. The magnetic field he
observed was later shown to be due to thermo-electric current. The Seebeck
effect is responsible for the behavior of thermocouples, which are used to
approximately measure temperature differences. The magnitude of the voltage
depends on the types of wire being used. Generally, the voltage is in the
microvolt range.

Types of Thermocouples
Commonly used thermocouple metal combinations
1. J-Type: (Iron-constantan)​
2. K-Type: (Chromel-alumel)

Apparatus
Field Metrology Well (9143) is designed to be a stable and reliable heat source
that can be used in the laboratory. The special built-in features make (FMW-
9143) extremely adaptable. The exclusive voltage compensation allows the
technical experts to plug into mains power with voltage from 90V to 250V AC
without degradation to the instrument. The range of ambient temperature
compensation is (13° C to 33° C). The gradient temperature compensation
keeps the axial gradient within the specification over the entire temperature
range of the instrument and over the specified guaranteed operating
temperature range. These combined features along with the rugged design,
lightweight and small size make this instrument ideal for the applications of
thermocouple calibrators. The unique safety features make this the safest heat
source available. The unique air flow design keeps the probe and instrument
cool and protects the user from the heat effects. The Block temperature
indicator shows the user when the Well temperature is above 50° C and lets
the user know when it is safe to remove the insert or move the instrument. The
LCD display continuously shows many useful operating parameters including
the block temperature, the current set point, block stability, and the heating
and cooling status. The instrument is rugged in design and special features
make them ideal for the field or laboratory with the proper use. The instrument
provides continued accurate calibration of the temperature. Before the use of
the instrument, the user should be familiar with the warnings, caution and
operating procedures of the calibrator.
Procedure
1. Switch on the Field Metrology Well (FMW) — 9143 & Temperature scanner
— 1586 A
2. Measure the initial temperature from the FMW- 9143
3. Set the temperature 30° C in FMW — 9143 and press the enter key
thereafter the heating of the dry well will begin and the temperature will rise
up from ambient to 30° C.
4. When the dry well will reach to the temperature of 30° C. The buzzer of the
FMW- 9143 will beep. It is a signal that the system is reaching a steady state.
5. Let continue the heating process/ Let the instrument as it is till it will get to a
steady state. The steady state may come after 10-12 minutes of buzzer beep.
6. After getting the steady state, press the SCAN/Monitor key of the
temperature scanner - 1586. Let the process go on till 4-5 minutes. Thereafter,
the display of the temperature scanner — 1586 will show the value of the
measured temperature and the corresponding value of the emf.
7. Note the readings of the measured temperatures and the emf from the
temperature scanner — 1586.
8. Don’t stop the system or don’t press any key of the experiment during the
above process.
9. Do follow the same procedure from S.N. (01) to S.N. (08) for the second
measurement of the temperature and the emf.
10. Repeat the experiment and take the measurements at 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90
and 95° C.
11. Measure the emf value w.r.t. each reading of thermocouple
12. Draw the plot (Tmeas - Tamb) vs emf.

Technical Specifications
1. Temperature range: Ambient to 350° C
2.Mains voltage: 220 to 240 Volts
3.Frequency: 50/60 Hz
4.Power: 1800 Watt
5.Immersion (Well) depth: 150 mm (5.9 In)
6.Insert outer diameter (OD): 25.3 mm (1.00 In)
7.Size (H*W*D): 290 mm x 185 mm x 295 mm
8.Weight: 7.3 Kg
9.Ambient temperature: 20° C
10. Ambient relative humidity (ARH): 0 to 90%
Observations

S.No. Set Measured e.m.f (mVDC) Tmeas-Tamb

temperature(°C) of Temperature (°C)
the bath (°C) Tamb=20°C

1. 50 50.27 1.7488 30.27

2. 60 60.42 2.2688 40.42
3. 70 70.57 2.7950 50.57
4. 80 80.71 3.3269 60.71
5. 90 90.85 3.8647 70.85
6. 100 100.97 4.4067 80.97
7. 110 111.11 4.9532 91.11
8. 120 121.25 5.5028 101.25
9. 130 131.37 6.0527 111.37

Result
Precautions
1. Don’t turn off the instrument unless the temperature of FMW — 9143 will
reach down to 40°C.
2.Don’t touch any wire/ thermocouple wires, when the instrument is in running
condition.
3.Make sure that the thermocouple beads are properly made.
4.Thermocouple beads should not be in contact with each other inside of the
FMW — 9143.
5.Ensure that there is no loose connection in the experimental setup.

Conclusion
The graph shows a linear relationship between e.m.f.e.m.f. (mVDC) and the
temperature difference (Tmeas−TambTmeas​−Tamb​), confirming that the
voltage is proportional to the temperature difference based on the Seebeck
effect. The slope represents the calibration factor, allowing accurate
temperature measurements. Error bars indicate the precision of the data.