UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

EKC 291 - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 8: HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

GROUP NUMBER : 19

GROUP MEMBERS : LIM SIOW YOKE (122563)

: NOOR SYAZA BINTI HUSAINI (120523)
: MOHAMAD FADZLI BIN MOHD SUKARDI (120507)
: THARVEEN RAJ A/L RAJALINGAM (120550)

LECTURER : ASSOC. PROF. NORASHID AZIZ

TECH. IN CHARGE : EN. MOHD. ROQIB

DATE OF EXPERIMENT : 10th MARCH 2015

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 17th MARCH 2015

TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS PAGES

1.0 Abstract 1
2.0 Introduction 2
3.0 Objective 3
4.0 Theory 4-5
5.0 Experimental Procedure 6
6.0 Results and Discussion 7 - 12
7.0 Conclusion 13
8.0 References 14
9.0 Appendix i
1.0 ABSTRACT
Heat transfer occurs at a higher rate across high thermal conductivity material than
across low thermal conductivity material. Thermal conductivity is the property of a material
to conduct heat.
In this experiment, the heat conduction of homogenous bar and composite bar
were being discussed. The thermal conductivities of homogenous brass bar were determined
using brass bar of 25 mm under linear heat conduction. Heat conduction or thermal
conduction is the movement of heat from one solid that has higher temperature to one solid
that has lower temperature when they touch with each other. Next, the heat conduction along
a composite bar consisted of brass and stainless steel was being studied. We determined the
thermal conductivity of stainless steel and also the overall heat transfer coefficient of
composite bar. The overall heat transfer coefficient calculated will be compared with the
experimental overall heat transfer coefficient. Overall heat transfer coefficient is a measure of
the overall ability of a series of conductive and convective barriers to transfer heat. The heat
transfer coefficient was affected by varying of input power.
Brass was found to be a better thermal conductor than stainless steel as supported by
its higher thermal conductivity.
2.0 INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, the principle of heat conduction based on Fouriers law is related
with the rate of heat transfer, thermal conductivity and thermal resistance. The heat
conduction study bench consists of two electrically heated modules mounted on a bench
support frame. Heat conduction study bench is the simplest equipment that applied the basic
concepts of heat conduction in solid. One module contains a cylindrical metal bar
arrangement for a variety of linear conduction experiment while the other consists of a disc
for radial conduction experiment. The linear test section is equipped with interchangeable
cylindrical samples of materials to provide study on the effect of area, insulation and type of
materials on the heat conduction. Hence the thermal conductivity of various solid materials
can be determined.
Supply of cooling water from standard laboratory tap to one side of the test pieces is
crucial for maintaining a steady temperature gradient. A steady temperature gradient is
important because it causes the heat to flow.
As liquids and gases exhibit excessive convection heat transfer, thus solids are chosen
for the demonstration of pure conduction. The instrumentation provided permits accurate
measurement of temperature and power supply. The power control circuit provides a
continuously variable electrical output of 0-100 watts. As the high voltage is exist, so we
need to be very careful during the operation. The industrial application for this experiment is
heat recovery ventilator. This device keeps heat in while moving stale air out. It is suitable for
buildings that are located in colder climates such as in Japan. It supplies continuous fresh air
from outside in the buildings and improves climate control and promoting efficient energy
use. Furthermore, this equipment can be helpful in determining the thermal conductivity of a
new composite material or new solid material discovered.
The figure below shows the schematic structure of the equipment:
Radial Module

Linear Module
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of heat conduction bench.
3.0 OBJECTIVE
The objective of this experiment is firstly, to determine the heat conduction along a
homogenous bar. Secondly, this experiment aims to determine the heat conduction along a
composite bar or wall and to evaluate the overall heat transfer coefficient. The overall heat
transfer coefficient calculated will be compared with the experimental overall heat transfer
coefficient.
4.0 THEORY

Part 1: Heat Conduction along a Homogenous Bar (Linear Module)

T 1 >T 2
Q
A
T2
x

Figure 2: Illustration of heat transfer along homogeneous bar with thermal conductivity, k

Q
( )
Energy is transferred by conduction and the heat transfer rate per unit area A is

proportional to the normal temperature gradient.

( QA ) ( dTdx )
Fouriers law is therefore defined as:

( QA )=K .( dTdx )
K=Thermal conductivity coefficient of the material (W/mK)

Q=Heat transfer rate (W/s)

2
A=Solid cross-section area ( m

( dTdx ) =Temperature gradient in the direction of the heat flow

Heat flow is positive in the direction of temperature fall. It is noted that the heat, Q
always flow in the positive direction from higher temperature region to lower temperature
region. The heat flow through a material cannot always evaluate at steady state. To calculate
the heat transfer for this case, it is needed to find the temperature distribution through the
solid and how the distribution varies with time.

Part 2: Heat Conduction along a Composite Bar (Linear Module)

Material A Material B Material C

kA kB kC
TH TA
Q TB Q
A
TC

Figure 2: Illustration of heat transfer along composite bar

Fouriers Law can be applied for heat conduction along a composite bar since the heat
transfer, Q is the same for every section, A, B and C:
T H T A T T B T T C
Q=k A A =k B A A =k C A B
xA xB xC

Due to the same rate of heat transfer in every section, the overall heat transfer rate for
the composite bar can be evaluated as:
Q=UA (T H T C )

where
U = Overall heat transfer coefficient, W/m2. K

and U can be related to the individual thermal conductivity by the following relationship:
i
1 x A x B xC
= + + = R
U k A k B k C n=1 n

where
R = Thermal resistance, m2. K /W
5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

For this experiment, only the insulated linear mode was tested. A quick inspection was
performed to ensure the equipment is in good working condition. Then, the water tubes were
connected to a fresh water supply and drain to act as the cooling agent for the equipment.

Experiment 1: Heat Conduction Along A Homogenous Bar

An intermediate section of insulated 25mm brass was inserted into the linear module and
clamped together. The heat supply lead for the linear conduction module was connected to the
power supply socket. Nine sensor leads were connected to nine plugs on the surface of the
linear conduction module. The place marked TT1 on the control panel was connected to the
left hand sensor lead. This procedure was repeated for the remaining eight sensor leads,
connected from left to right in intervals of 10mm and in numeral order. The Auto/OFF switch
was checked and ensured to be in an OFF state. The water supply was turned on and water
flows from the water pipe to the drain. The heater power control knob was rotated fully
anticlockwise. The Auto/OFF switch was set to Auto state and the OUT digital reading will
be illuminated. The power knob was set at power 5W initially and then continued with 10W,
15W and 20W. The readings were taken after 10 to 15 minutes for the system to achieve
steady state.

Experiment 2: Heat Conduction Along A Composite Bar

The procedures for this experiment were the same as in Experiment 1 but six sensor leads
were connected instead of nine to the plugs on the insulated linear conduction module (TT1,
TT2, TT3, TT7, TT8, TT9). The left hand sensor lead was connected from the module to the
place marked TT1. The procedure was repeated for the remaining five sensor leads,
connected from left to right and in numeral order. Steps after this were the same as in
Experiment 1.
6.0 RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Results

Experiment 1: Heat Conduction Along Homogenous Bar (25mm Brass)

Test Wattmeter, Q TT1 TT2 TT3 TT4 TT5 TT6 TT7 TT8 TT9
No. (watts) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C)

A 5.0 43.7 41.5 39.7 34.3 33.9 33.8 32.3 32.2 32.1

B 10.0 58.7 55.4 52.7 38.5 37.4 36.5 32.8 32.7 32.6

C 15.0 86.5 82.2 77.9 45.7 44.0 43.9 34.0 33.8 33.6

D 20.0 112.9 108.2 105.2 52.8 51.2 50.4 35.5 35.1 34.9
Table 1: Value of Temperature Recorded for Homogenous Bar of 25mm Brass

Graph of Temperature (C) vs Length of Homogenous Bar (cm)

120

100 f(x) = - 11.22x + 121.23

80
f(x) = - 7.44x + 90.71

60
A Linear
Temperature (A)
(C ) B Linear (B) C Linear (C) D Linear (D) Linear (D)
f(x) = - 3.57x + 59.78
40
f(x) = - 1.49x + 43.41

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Length of Homogenous Bar, (cm)
Experiment 2: Heat Conduction Along Composite Bar (25mm Stainless Steel)

Table 2: Value of Temperature Recorded for Composite Bar of 25mm Stainless Steel

Test Wattmeter, Q TT1 TT2 TT3 TT4 TT5 TT6 TT7 TT8 TT9
No. (watts) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C)

A 5.0 122.0 118.1 113.1 - - - 36.9 36.6 36.3

B 10.0 102.8 102.5 102.2 - - - 39.0 38.4 37.9

C 15.0 107.2 105.5 103.1 - - - 40.3 39.6 39.0

D 20.0 119.7 117.8 114.0 - - - 41.4 40.7 40.0

 Graph of Temperature (C) vs Length of Homogenous Bar (cm)
140

f(x) =
f(x) = -- 20.07x
21.41x +
+ 149.17
152.09
120
f(x)
f(x) =
= -- 17.19x
16.57x +
+ 132.6
128.47 A
100
Linear (A)
B
80
Linear (B)
Temperatur e (C ) C
60 Linear (C)
D
40 Linear (D)

20

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Length of C omposite Bar (cm)
 ms
Q = Heat transfer rate w /

A = Cross-sectional area ( m2 )
m C
k = Thermal conductivity of material w / Discussions

dT m In Experiment 1, a
dx = Temperature gradient in the direction of heat flow C / brass bar is used as

the homogenous
material. To calculate the heat conduction of the homogenous bar, Fouriers Law is applied.

dT
Q= Ak
dx

Where,

d2
A=
4

3 2
(25 10 )
A=
4

A=4 . 9807 104 m2

The value of thermal conductivity, k is determined by calculating the average value of each
set of reading. The assumption made here is no heat is loss and hence Q = rate of power
input.
Q
k=
dT
A
dx
 dT
Test No. Q k
dx

A 5.0 149.33 67.23

B 10.0 357.17 56.21
C 15.0 744.00 40.48

D 20.0 1121.80 35.80

k average =( 67.23+56.21+4 40.48+35.80 )=49 . 93 w/m . C

In Experiment 2, a stainless steel bar is used as the composite material replacing the brass
bar of homogenous material. The method to calculate the thermal conductivity of the steel bar
is the same as the method in Experiment 1.

Section 1 (TT1, TT2, TT3)

dT
Test No. Q k1
dx

A 5.0 299.67 33.50

B 10.0 20.00 1003.88
C 15.0 136.67 220.36

D 20.0 190.00 211.34

k average (1)= ( 33.50+ 1003.88+4 220.36+211.34 )=367 . 27 w /m. C

Section 2 (Composite Material)

dT
Q k2
Test No. dx

A 5.0 1275.30 7.87

 B 10.0 1198.80 16.75
C 15.0 1027.80 29.30

D 20.0 997.07 40.27

k average (2)= ( 7.87 +16.75+29.30+40.27

4 )=23 . 55 w /m . C

Section 3 (TT7, TT8, TT9)

dT
Q k3
Test No. dx

A 5.0 20 501.94
B 10.0 36.67 547.52
C 15.0 43.33 695.04

D 20.0 46.67 860.40

k av erage (3 )= ( 501.94+ 547.52+4 695.04+860.40 )=651 .23 w / m. C

The thermal conductivity calculated using Fouriers Law of the first and third section of the

linear module are 367 .27 W/m C and 651 .23 W/m C respectively, while the second

section housing the composite bar is 23 .55 W/m C.

To determine the overall heat transfer coefficient, the following equation is used.
 1 XH Xs Xc
= + +
U kH ks kc

2
m .C
Q k average (1) k ave rage(2) k average (3) w /
Test No.
U

A 5.0 33.50 7.87 501.94 209.77

B 10.0 1003.88 16.75 547.52 533.13
C 15.0 220.36 29.30 695.04 293.68

D 20.0 211.34 40.27 860.40 1084.85

U average = ( 209.77+533.13+293.68+1084.85
4 )=530 .36 w/m . C 2

For Experiment 1, the thermal conductivity of brass obtained was

49 . 93 w / m. C but according to Heat Transfer, Ninth Edition, by J.P. Holman,

10th Edition, 2010, the typical values of thermal conductivity of brass is 61 W/m . C. The
experimental value obtained was deviated from the reading of J.P. Holmans
Experimental Methods for Engineers (61 W/m. C). This deviation might be caused by
experimental error. Heat lost to the surroundings as well as the low efficiency of the
equipment was taken into consideration in this case. Heat lost to surroundings because
although a thick wax layer had covered the brass, but there was a small gap in the
middle section when it was inserted. Hence, the heat may be lost through the gap.

For Experiment 2, the thermal conductivity of brass were 367 .27 w/m . C

and 651 .23 w /m. C for first and third section respectively. However, the

conductivity for the stainless steel was 23 .55 w/m. C . Theoretically, the thermal
conductivity of stainless steel referred to book of J.P. Holmans Heat Transfer is 16.3
W/m. C under all condition. The experimental value obtained was deviated from the
value get from J.P. Holmans Experimental Methods for Engineers. This may also due
to the heat lost to the surrounding through the small gap between brass and stainless
steel.

As compared to the thermal conductivity of brass bar in experiment 1, the thermal

conductivity of stainless steel is much lower, indicating stainless steel is a poorer thermal
conductor than brass.
 In experiment 2, the composite wall consists of the brass at both sides with stainless
steel as the middle part. The overall heat transfer coefficient was calculated as
530 .36 w/ m2 . C which is lower than the theoretical value of 679.59 W/m. C.

There were errors, which had occurred in this experiment that had caused some of the
results to be inaccurate and inconsistent as the theoretical benchmarks.
1. The power supply to the heat conduction bench fluctuated throughout the experiment
even though the power knob was set at the required value. This indicated the heat
conduction bench was not functioning properly during the conduct of the
experiment.
2. The thermostat temperature sensors were loose or not well connected which have
caused some values to be widely spread away. The temperature sensors need to be
adjusted from time to time to prevent inconsistency at the time of recording the
readings.
3. The flow of cooling water in the tubes may not be steady nor consistent. Thus,
unsteady cooling occurred and impacted the temperature gradient.
4. Heat loss from the system due to poor insulation even though the assumption made
indicates there were no heat loss to the surrounding.
5. 10 to 15 minutes might not be enough for the system to reach steady state. Longer
waiting periods are needed for a better and more accurate result.

7.0 CONCLUSION

During the conduct of this experiment, we were able to identify the relationship
between certain parameters involved and the thermal conductivity of materials based on
Fouriers Law of heat conduction.

dT
Q=kA
dx

Based on this experiment, we can conclude that the thermal conductivity for any
material will always be different. A higher thermal conductivity shows that a material is better
at conducting heat. Therefore, with regards to this experiment, brass is a better heat conductor
than stainless steel. However, the thermal conductivity should only be dependent on the
thermal characteristics of the material. When a material of combined structures are used, the
heat transfer of the composite material is governed by the overall heat transfer coefficient, U
which corresponds to the individual thermal conductivity, k.

8.0 REFERENCES

1. Books
Albert Jackson, David Day (2009). Popular Mechanics Complete Home How-To,
New York: Sterling Publishing Company.

2. Books
th
R.K. Rajput (2005). Thermal Engineering, 6 edn. India: Firewall Media.

3. EKC 291 Chemical Engineering Laboratory I Lab Manual, School of Chemical

Engineering, University Science Malaysia, Semester 2, Session 2014/2015.

4. Books
 Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith,Peter Harriott, Unit Operations Of Chemical
Engineering,McGraw-Hill,2005.

5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermistor

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_conduction

7. Books
J.P.Holman, Heat Transfer, 10th Edition, McGraw-Hill, 2010.

9.0 APPENDIX
The raw data collected from this experiment is attached at the end of this report.