HEAT TRANSFER LABORATORY MANUAL

(Heat Conduction in Solids)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL, CHEMICAL, AND MATERIAL ENGINEERING

ADAMA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

Prepared by
Sintayhu Shifraw Desta

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Abstract

The laboratory manuals provide detailed instructions on conducting experiments and data
analysis to gain understandings into the performance of the WL347 heat conduction in solids
under various operating conditions.

In the experiment it is required to evaluate the thermal conductivity of the material

experimentally and the get the temperature distribution for constant area of the metal rod.

The objective of this experiment is to study the conduction of heat along a different metallic rod
and to evaluate the thermal conductivity of the material. This experiment focuses on the heat
conduction for the metallic rod arrangement. The experimental thermal conductivity will be
compare to the thermal conductivity of material from the standard one.

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Table of content

Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii
Table of content ........................................................................................................................................... iii
Course learning objective ............................................................................................................................ iv
1. Experiment on Heat conduction in solids ............................................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Objectives of the experiments ............................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Description of Experimental apparatus ............................................................................................... 1
1.4 Safety for conducting the experiments................................................................................................ 2
1.5 Experimental set up............................................................................................................................. 2
1.6 Experimental procedure ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.7 Results and Data analysis.................................................................................................................... 3
1.7.1 Determining the thermal conductivity of copper rod (65mm) ..................................................... 4
1.7.2 Determination of thermal conductivity of steel rod 1.4305 (65mm) ........................................... 6
1.8 Discussions ............................................................................................................................................. 7
1.9 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 7
1.10 Reference .............................................................................................................................................. 8
1.11 Appendices............................................................................................................................................ 9

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Course learning objective

Mapping of course learning outcome (CLO) with program outcome (PO)

At the end of this experiment, the students will be able to:

➢ To understand the fundamentals of heat transfer mechanisms in fluids and solids and their
applications in various heat transfer equipment in process industries.
➢ To learn about modes of heat transfer and conduction heat transfer.

The purpose of conducting this experiment is to determine thermal conductivity of different

material and provide valid conclusions, analysis and interpretation of data. By conducting this
experimentation, students can gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical concepts learned in
the mapping of heat transfer course and apply them to real-world applications.

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1. Experiment on Heat conduction in solids
1.1 Introduction

Thermal conduction is the transfer of heat energy in a material due to the temperature gradient
within it. It always takes place from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower
temperature. A solid is chosen for the experiment of pure conduction because both liquids and
gasses exhibit excessive convective heat transfer. For practical situation, heat conduction occurs
in three dimensions, a complexity which often requires extensive computation to analyze. For
experiment, a single dimensional approach is required to demonstrate the basic law that relates
rate of heat flow to temperature gradient and area.

WL 374 Thermal Conductivity of solids experiments with different materials can be perform by
installing various specimens. During this process, the temperatures are measured and then the
thermal conductivity calculated using additional parameters for thermal conductivity.

1.2 Objectives of the experiments

The main objectives of an experiment on the WL347 heat conduction in solids are as follows:

➢ Determination of the thermal conductivity (K) of various specimens.

➢ Temperature curves as a function of length.
➢ Heat transfer through different specimens connected in series.

1.3 Description of Experimental apparatus

The schematic diagram of heat conduction in solids

Heat conduction in solids setup used to calculate the thermal conductivity of the material. It
consists of the following components.

1 Liquid-in- glass thermometer 6 Main switch

2 Adjustment transformer 7 Specimens
3 Dewar vessel 8 Ammeter
4 Raised tank for constant water pressure 9 Volt meter
5 Selector switch for measuring points 10 Sockets for thermocouples

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1.4 Safety for conducting the experiments

The following safeties are to be account when using the WL347 thermal conductivity of solids:

➢ Ensure that the WL347 conduction unit is installing correctly and all connections are
tighten
➢ Always wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, gloves, and lab coats.
➢ Keep the WL347 conduction unit area clean and free of clutter.
➢ Ensure that the electric heater properly connected.
➢ Never touch the hot surface or any of its components while it is heat up.

1.5 Experimental set up

To conduct the experiment the following set up should be required:

1. WL347 heat conduction in solid unit

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 2. Four k-type thermocouples.
3. Two liquid-in-glass thermometer.
4. Stop watch.
5. Measuring vessel (used to measure water flow rate).
6. Specimens (different materials).

Once the cooling water flow rate has been set, it only necessary to wait for a steady state
operating condition to be established. It then possible to start taking measurements.

1.6 Experimental procedure

The experimental procedure for determining thermal conductivity of the material using WL347
heat conduction in solid unit

Starting procedure

1. Ensure that the main switch is at OFF position.

2. Ensure that the dimmer-stat is at zero position.
3. Connect electric supply to the set up.
4. Switch ON the main switch.
5. Set the heater input by the dimmer-stat, voltmeter and ammeter in the specific range.
6. Install the liquid-in-glass thermometer in appropriate position.
7. Allow the water circulation though the system from the water supply.
8. After one hour, record the reading of voltmeter, ammeter and temperatures.
9. Analyzing the collected data from the conducted experiment to get the thermal
conductivity of the material.
10. Plot the temperature profile with the length of the specimens.

Closing the experiment

1. After finishing, the experiment set the dimmer-stat to zero position.

2. Switch OFF the main switch.
3. Switch OFF the electric supply to the set up.
4. Close the water from the supply tank after some minute.

1.7 Results and Data analysis

Calculate and record the following parameters

Electrical power:

𝑄𝐻̇ = 𝑃 = 𝑉𝐼 ………………………………………………………………………………………………… (1)

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P = Electrical Power in W

V = Voltage in volt

I = Current in ampere

Power absorbed by the water:

𝑄̇ = 𝑚𝑤
̇ 𝐶𝑝 (𝑡1𝑤 − 𝑡2𝑤 ) ……………………………………………………………………….. (2)

𝑄𝑤̇ = Heat power absorbed by the water in W

𝑚𝑤
̇ = Mass flow rate of water in m3/s

𝑡1𝑤 = Inlet water temperature in oC

𝑡2𝑤 = Outlet water temperature in oC

𝐶𝑝 = Heat capacity of water in J/kg.K (4180J/kg.K)

Thermal conductivity of the material (K)

̇
𝑄𝑤 ×𝐿
𝐾= ……………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)
𝐴(𝑇1 −𝑇2 )

K = Thermal conductivity of the material in W/m.K

𝑄𝑤 = Heat power absorbed by the water in W

L = Length of the specimens in m (65mm)

A = Area of the specimens in m2
𝜋𝐷 2
𝐴= ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (4)
4

D = Diameter of the specimens in m (40mm)

TH1 = Inlet temperature of the specimen in K

TH2 = Outlet temperature of the specimen in K

1.7.1 Determining the thermal conductivity of copper rod (65mm)

Heat power by the heater (QH)

Voltage [v] Current [A] QH [W]

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Heat power absorbed by the water (𝑄𝑤 )

Specimen T1w [0C] T2w [0C] mw [kg/s] Cp [J/kg.K] Qw [W]

Copper

Thermal conductivity of the material (Copper)

𝑄𝑤 ×̇ 𝐿
𝐾= = ⋯ … … … … . . 𝑊⁄𝑚𝐾
𝐴(𝑇1 − 𝑇2 )

Length [m] Area [m2] Qw [W] T1H [0C] T2H [0C] K [W/mK]

Thermal conductivity characteristics curve

L [mm]
T [0C]

L [mm] T [0C]

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1.7.2 Determination of thermal conductivity of steel rod 1.4305 (65mm)

Heat power by the heater (QH)

Voltage[v] Current[A] QH[W]

Heat power absorbed by water (Qw)

mw[kg/s] Cp[J/kgK] T1w[oC] T2w[oC] Qw[W]

Thermal conductivity of the material steel rod 1.4305 (65mm length)

Qw[W] L [m] A [m2] TH1 [oC] TH2 [oC] K [W/mK]

𝑄𝑤 ×̇ 𝐿
𝐾= = ⋯ … … … … . 𝑊⁄𝑚𝐾
𝐴(𝑇1 − 𝑇2 )

Thermal conductivity characteristic curve of steel rod (65mm)

L [mm] T [oC]

Repeat the experiments 2 to 3 times by changing the power supply and calculate thermal
conductivity of the given material, each time repeating the procedure outlined above. This will
give the students the effect of temperature on the conductivity of the metal rod.

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1.8 Discussions

1.9 Conclusion

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1.10 Reference

1. Heat conduction in solids, GUNT (WL 374)

2. Thermal fluid laboratory manual, department of chemical engineering, An-Najah National

University, Nablus/Palestine, Aug-2013

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1.11 Appendices

Work sheet

Specimen L A[m2] Cp V[v] QH T1w T2w Qw T1H T2H K

[mm] [J/kgK] [W] [0C] [0C] [W] [0C] [0C] [W/mK]
Copper 65
Copper 30
St1.4305 65
St1.4305 30

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