Measurements of convective heat transfer coefficient

Convection is the mode of energy transfer between a solid surface and the adjacent fluid that is in motion, and it involves the combined effects of conduction and fluid motion. In the absence of any bulk fluid motion, heat transfer between a solid surface and the adjacent fluid is carried by pure conduction. The presence of bulk motion of the fluid enhances the heat transfer between the solid surface and the fluid, but it also complicates the determination of heat transfer rates. Convection is called forced convection if the fluid is forced to flow over the surface by external means such as fan, pump, wind. In contrast convection is called natural (free) if the fluid motion is caused by buoyancy forces that are induced by density differences due to temperature variation of temperature in the fluid. Despite the complexity of convection, the rate of convection heat transfer coefficient is conveniently expressed by Newtons law as where convective heat transfer coefficient T - environment temperature Ts surface temperature S area. In order to solve the simplest mathematical free and enhanced convection heat transfer problem three basic hydrodynamics equation should be taken into consideration: flow, energy and continuity equations. Moreover fluid-solid interface energy balance should be used. Convection heat transfer coefficient is not a property of fluid. It is a property of occurring process and is a function of surface shape, fluid motion, fluid density or viscosity. The coefficient may vary from few up to 100 000 [W/(m2K)]. The highest values occur during the phase change processes. When the part of fluid is heated, natural convection occurs. It is called that when the heated fluid replacement by cooler fluid is caused by motion not conduction.
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In order to simplify convection phenomena complexity a lot of empirical equations were investigated. Using these equations is convenient because it helps to estimate solution in many engineering problems. Empirical equations are usually derived from experimental results and theoretical calculations. Similitude uses research on models in smaller scale and results may be transformed thanks to certain dimensionless numbers. There are no mathematical or physical equations of process which is analysed. Boundary conditions are known. Dimensional analysis allows us to build mathematical, empirical equations based on Buckingham theorem. It is essential to evaluate various conditions which might impact investigated process, as in some cases omitting some of them might result with obtaining invalid (therefore useless) equation. Nusselt number Nu is the ratio of convective to conductive heat transfer normal to the boundary. A Nusselt number close to one, namely convection and conduction of similar magnitude, is characteristic of laminar flow. A higher Nusselt number corresponds to more active convection, with turbulent flow typically in the 1001000 range. Reynolds number Re is a dimensionless number that gives a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces, and consequently quantifies the relative importance of these two types of forces for given flow conditions. Reynolds numbers are frequently used for performing dimensional analysis of fluid dynamics problems, and as such can be used to determine dynamic similitude between different experimental cases. They are also used to characterize different flow regimes, such as laminar or turbulent flow. Prandtl number Pr is the ratio of momentum diffusivity (kinematic viscosity) to thermal diffusivity. Prandtl number contains no such length scale in its definition and is dependent only on the fluid and the fluid state. Prandtl number describes the relative thickness of the momentum and thermal boundary layers. When Pr is small, it means that the heat diffuses very quickly compared to the velocity (momentum). This means that for liquid metals the thickness of the thermal boundary layer is much bigger than the velocity boundary layer. Grashof number Gr is a dimensionless number which approximates the ratio of the buoyancy to viscous force acting on a fluid. It frequently arises in the study of situations involving natural convection.

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Many empirical equations, which help in convection heat transfer coefficient determination, may be found in the literature. Researches, which were based on dimensional and similarity analysis, built number of equations in different external conditions, shapes, type of convection or motion. Two example equations are presented below:

Laminar flow over isothermal plate Re < 50000 i Pr > 1:

Turbulent flow over isothermal plate 50000 < Re < 10000000 i Pr > 0,6:

Velocity and thermal boundary layer The parallel flow of a fluid over a flat plate of length L, where the x-coordinate is measured along the plate surface from the leading edge in the direction of the flow, conducts boundary layer. The fluid approaches the plate with a velocity v and temperature T. The flow in the velocity layer starts as laminar, at a certain point the flow may become turbulent. Type of flow is best described by the Reynolds number. That particular point, where flow become turbulent is called critical point of transition. This transition, among other things, depends on: Surface geometry Surface roughness Upstream velocity Surface temperature.

Velocity profile in the boundary layer is parabolic with zero velocity point on the plate surface. The thickness of boundary layer is determined by 99% of external flow velocity. This velocity profile is caused by the fluid internal friction, which depends on fluid viscosity. Thermal boundary layer is caused by temperature gradient that occurs in the vicinity of plate surface. If the plate has different temperature, the fluid flowing over the surface changes its temperature towards thermal equilibrium. Temperature and velocity boundary layers relation are described by Prandtl number. Strong dependence between velocity and temperature profiles directly impacts local convection heat transfer coefficient, which is unstable especially in the first part of flow over plate.
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Natural convection over plate Horizontal The rate of heat transfer to or from horizontal surface depends on whether the surface is facing downwards or upwards. For a hot surface in a cooler environment the net force acts upward forcing the heated fluid to rise. If the hot surface is facing upward the heated fluid rises freely inducing natural convection currents. The opposite is true for cold plate in warmer environment.

Inclined In flow occurring over inclined hot plates net inertia force is directed upwards (sum of gravity and buoyancy forces). That force consists of two separate forces: parallel and normal to cooled surface. According to fact, that force causing movement along inclined plate is lower than in vertical plate, heat transfer rate should be lower. In fact, vertical force causes flow separation and cooler fluid moves downward, what enhances heat transfer.

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Laboratory apparatus The main part of apparatus is a copper plate, which can be heated by hot water prepared in a thermostat. The plate is put in construction which allows to adjust inclination of the plate between 0 and 90 with 10 increments. Measured parameters are: temperature and heat flow rate in 4 points of plate, and ambient temperature. Parameters are transferred into computer by Advantech system, displayed and saved.

Tab. 1 Characteristics of heat flux meters.

No.

X-coordinate [cm] 7.5 cm 15.0 cm 22.5 cm 30.0 cm

Heat flow meter constant (21C) [ 0,921 0,925 0,928 0,892 ]

1. 2. 3. 4.

Experiment and calculations Average natural convection heat transfer rate on the hot plate as a function of plate inclination will be investigated. Hot water temperature should be set on the thermostat it should not exceed 65C. Experimental results should be compared with results obtained from empirical equations:

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Natural convection over a vertical plate:

Tab. 2 Air parameters in 50C.

Parameter g T Pr Natural convection over a horizontal plate:

Value 9.81 [m/s2] 3.10E-03 [1/K] 27.8 [K] 1.80E-05 [m2/s] 0.71 0.028 [W/mK]

(17) (18) (19)

Report rules 1. One report per 3-4 laboratory participants. 2. Shortly summarize your knowledge on the subject (it should be understandable for PAE Faculty student, who has passed Heat Transfer I). 3. Demonstrate results (the most important issue). Choose the most important data, prepare adequate charts and tables. 4. In the summary conclusions are essential, as well as ideas for developing experiment, which was performed. 5. Chapters should have titles and pages should be numbered. 6. Please, leave at least one e-mail contact.

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