Laboratory A: Steady State Heat Conduction in A Cylinder

Laboratory A
Steady State Heat Conduction in a Cylinder
Prepared for
Dr. Bill ZHOU
Faisal SIDDIQUI
Student ID 101963673
rd
3 year Candidate for BASc. Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Automotive and Materials Engineering
Table of Content
Aim .................................................................................................................................. 2
Background Theory ......................................................................................................... 2
Apparatus........................................................................................................................ 3
Procedure........................................................................................................................ 3
Analysis of Data .............................................................................................................. 4
Discussion of Results ...................................................................................................... 7
Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................... 8
Appendix A: Raw Data of the experiment........................................................................ 9
Appendix B: Calculations .............................................................................................. 10
Calculations of Average Temperatures of Thermocouples: ....................................... 10
Calculations of Conductivity based on Line of Best fit of Average Thermocouple
Temperatures: ........................................................................................................... 11
References.................................................................................................................... 13
List of Figures
Figure 1: Location of Thermocouples and their Temperatures........................................ 4
Figure 2: Line of Best Fit for Thermocouple 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 .................................. 5
Figure 3: Line of Best Fit for Between Neighboring Thermocouples ............................... 5
List of Tables
Table 1: Average Temperatures of Thermocouples from Four Readings........................ 4
Table 2: Slope ∆ T and Thermal Conductivity k based on Neighboring Thermocouples. 6
Table 3: Thermocouple No. and Their Temperatures from Four Different Readings ...... 9
List of Schematics
Schematic 1: Sketch for Apparatus of Heat Conduction in a Cylinder............................. 2
Aim
The purpose of this experiment was to experimentally obtain the temperature
distribution in a cylinder layer of sand and also to determine the Thermal
Conductivity of Sand.
Background Theory
The problem of determining the Thermal Conductivity of Sand reduces to a
problem of obtaining the temperature distribution in a cylinder layer of sand.
Obtaining the temperature distribution in a cylinder layer of sand can be done
with the aid of placing an electrically heated rod inside a cylinder of sand and
allowing the system to reach steady state conditions. In this experiment the
heater rod, the sand and thermocouples were configured in the following manner.
Schematic 1: Sketch for Apparatus of Heat Conduction in a Cylinder
The heat transfer from the heating rod to the sand at different points can be
modeled using the following equation.
• kA (T2 − T1 )
Q=
r 
ln  2 
 r1 
Also the temperature of the sand at different points can be modeled using the
following equation
T ( r ) = C1 ln r + C2
The above relations shows that there is an exponential relationship between the
distance of any point in the sand and the temperature at that point.
2
The surface area of the heating rod is found from the equation: As = 2π rLeffective .
And the Thermal Conductivity of sand can be found from the following equation:
•
Q Leffective
k=
As ∆Tslope
Where,
•
Q is the power supplied to the heating rod
Leffective is the effective length of the rod
As is the surface area of heat transfer
∆Tslope is the temperature rise of drop per meter of distance
away from the heating rod.
Apparatus
Sand
A cylinder made of Plastic, wood and cork
A 35 Watt power Heating Rod
Thermocouples (x11)
Power Supply
Power Cable
Watt meter
Hand held Anemometer to measure the room temperature.
Thermocouple Temperature sensors
Lab Coordinator (x1)
Students (numbers may vary)
Attention to details and keen interest to learn
Procedure
1. Turn on the electrically heated rod inside the cylinder of sand, adjust to
approximately 35 watts and allow the system to attain steady state
conditions. It takes a considerable amount of time to reach steady
state. Therefore, the instructor will complete this step before the
laboratory period.
2. Measure and record the temperatures in the sand. Each student must
take at least one set of readings as provided for on the data sheet.
3
Analysis of Data
Table 1: Average Temperatures of Thermocouples from Four Readings
Thermocouple Radius, r (m) First set of Second set of Third set of Fourth set of Average
No. readings (°C) readings(°C) readings (°C) readings (°C) temp (°C)
1 0.00425 224.1 224.2 224.3 224.4 224.25
2 0.01175 170.8 170.7 170.7 170.8 170.75
3 0.01925 140.2 140.4 140.4 140.5 140.375
4 0.02675 118.4 118.7 118.9 118.9 118.725
5 0.03425 101.7 101.7 101.8 101.7 101.725
6 0.04175 87.5 87.7 87.7 87.7 87.65
7 0.04925 77 77.1 77.2 77.2 77.125
8 83.9 84.6 87.1 84.8 85.1
9 114.2 113.7 114.3 114.4 114.15
10 115.9 116.1 116.1 116.2 116.075
11 92.4 92.7 92.7 92.6 92.6
Room Temp.(°C) 30.6 30.7 30.3 30.7 30.575
Watt meter 35 35 35 35 35
Reading (W)
Plots for Radius of Thermocouple Number Positions vs. Temperature
Radius of Thermocouple Positions vs. Temperature
250
200
Thermocouple Temperatures (°C)
150
100
50
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Radius (m)
Radius vs. Temperature

Figure 1: Location of Thermocouples and their Temperatures
4
Plot for Graphical Method of Determining Thermal Conductivity
Radius of Thermocouple positions vs. Temperature
250
200
Thermocouple Temperature (°C)
150
100
50
y = -3077.3x + 213.83
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Radius (m)
Radius vs. Temperature Linear (Radius vs. Temperature)

Figure 2: Line of Best Fit for Thermocouple 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
Plot for Graphical Method of Determining Thermal Conductivity (Cont.)
Radius of Thermocouple position vs. Temperature
250
y = -7133.3x + 254.57
200 rt12
Thermocouple Temperature (°C)
rt23
rt34
y = -4050x + 218.34
rt45
150
rt56
y = -2886.7x + 195.94 rt67
y = -2266.7x + 179.36 Linear (rt12)
Linear (rt23)
100
y = -1876.7x + 166 y = -1403.3x + 146.24 Linear (rt34)
Linear (rt45)
Linear (rt56)
50 Linear (rt67)
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06
Radius (m)
Figure 3: Line of Best Fit for Between Neighboring Thermocouples

5
Table 2: Slope ∆ T and Thermal Conductivity k based on Neighboring Thermocouples
Between Thermocouple Slope ∆ T (per meter Thermal Conductivity %
Positions radius) k (W/m.K) Error(%)
1 and 2 7133.3 0.18 48.6
2 and 3 4050 0.32 8.6
3 and 4 2886.7 0.45 28.6
4 and 5 2266.7 0.58 65.7
5 and 6 1876.7 0.70 100
6 and 7 1403.3 0.93 166
1 to 7 inclusive 3077.3 0.43 22.9
6
Discussion of Results
Please Refer to Appendix B for calculation regarding this discussion.
From the analysis of the raw data of Appendix A, three graphs of Radius of
Thermocouple Position vs. Temperature were produced. Each of the plots
(Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3) contains seven points for Thermocouples 1 to
7. Figure 1 shows the location of the seven Thermocouples in the Sand and their
steady state temperature. Figure 2 shows the location of the Thermocouples in
the Sand and their steady state temperature and a line of best fit based on all
seven Thermocouples to find temperature drop per meter of distance away from
the heating rod in order to determine Thermal Conductivity of sand. Figure 3
shows the location of the Thermocouples in the Sand and their steady state
temperature and a line of best fit based on neighbouring Thermocouples to find
temperature drop per meter of distance away from the heating rod in order to
determine Thermal Conductivity of sand. All three graphs shows the trend that
the temperature of the Thermocouple and their location (radius) is exponentially
related. This was expected from the equation mentioned above T ( r ) = C1 ln r + C2 .
In order to calculate the Average Temperature of the Thermocouples, the

average was calculated from the four set of readings as shown in Table 1. When
examining the Thermal Conductivity of Sand based on neighboring
Thermocouples, Table 2 was generated. These values were compared with the
Thermal Conductivity of dry Sand at 20°C. From resea rch on the internet (see
references) the Thermal Conductivity of dry Sand at 20°C was found to be
0.35W/m.K. When compared with this value, the most accurate result was
calculated between the thermocouples 2 and 3.
From the experiment when the line of best fit was computed based on all 7 seven
thermocouples it the Thermal Conductivity was found to be k sand = 0.43W / m.K
which provides a % Error = 22.9% . The most accurate result was found based on
a liner fit between thermocouple 2 and 3 (Thermal Conductivity was found to be
k sand = 0.32W / m.K which provides a % Error = 8.6% ). This suggests that the most
accurate estimation of the Thermal Conductivity of dry Sand can be found
between 11.75 and 19.25 cm from the heating rod.
7
Conclusions and Recommendations
The objective of this experiment was to experimentally obtain the temperature
distribution in the cylindrical layer of sand and to determine the Thermal
Conductivity of Sand.
From the experiment when the line of best fit was computed based on all 7 seven
thermocouples it the Thermal Conductivity was found to be k sand = 0.43W / m.K
which provides a % Error = 22.9% . The most accurate result was found based on
a liner fit between thermocouple 2 and 3 (Thermal Conductivity was found to be
k sand = 0.32W / m.K which provides a % Error = 8.6% ). The % Error was computed
based on the Thermal Conductivity of dry Sand at 20°C which is found to be
0.35W/m.K.
As with any experiment there a great number of sources which may have given
an inaccurate result. In this experiment there were several sources of errors. For
example errors in measuring the room temperature and the air velocity of the
blower may have resulted from the resolution of the hand held anemometer. Also
the room temperature was fluctuating when the measurement was taken. Also
this experiment requires that there should be five minute gap between the
recordings of each set of readings. During the experiment this was not followed
exactly and the readings were carried out one after another and all four set of
reading were taken in 5 minutes only. Also the experiment requires that the
Thermal Conductivity of Sand should be looked up from handbooks for the room
temperature which was around 30.575°C; but the Ther mal Conductivity of Sand
could not be found at that temperature. Engineering Equations Solver only
provides such data unit 28°C. This may have altered the % Error calculated from
the Thermal Conductivity values. Also the Sand moisture content was not known.
The value found at 20°C was for dry sand only. But if the sand used in the
experiment had moisture in it, it could have provided us with incorrect data.
Another cause of error might have been the homogeneity of the Sand sample. If
it was not homogenized it could have provided incorrect temperature values at
different thermocouple locations. Also the system may or may not have been in
steady state in other words the rate of heat gained by the sand may not have
been equal to the rate at which it lost heat.
For the future experiments, in order to minimize the sources of errors it is

recommended that room temperatures be measured at different points for
extended period of time to account for fluctuations in the experiment, not just at
the beginning of each set of readings, an expensive anemometer with higher
resolution is also required. Also among other things care should be taken that
there should be a five minute time gap between each set of readings. The
temperature should ideally be conducted around 20°C room temperature and
information regarding the homogeneity and moisture content of the sand should
be known.
8
Appendix A: Raw Data of the experiment
Table 3: Thermocouple No. and Their Temperatures from Four Different Readings
Thermocouple No. First set of Second set of Third set of Fourth set of
readings (°C) readings(°C) readings (°C) readings (°C)
1 224.1 224.2 224.3 224.4
2 170.8 170.7 170.7 170.8
3 140.2 140.4 140.4 140.5
4 118.4 118.7 118.9 118.9
5 101.7 101.7 101.8 101.7
6 87.5 87.7 87.7 87.7
7 77 77.1 77.2 77.2
8 83.9 84.6 87.1 84.8
9 114.2 113.7 114.3 114.4
10 115.9 116.1 116.1 116.2
11 92.4 92.7 92.7 92.6
Room Temp.(°C) 30.6 30.7 30.3 30.7
Watt meter Reading (W) 35 35 35 35
9
Appendix B: Calculations
Calculations of Average Temperatures of Thermocouples:
Thermocouple Number 1:
1st Set + 2nd Set + 3rd Set + 4th Set 224.1 + 224.2 + 224.3 + 224.4
T1, avg = = = 224.25 oC
4 4
T2, avg = = = 170.75 oC
4 4
T3, avg = = = 140.375 oC
4 4
T4, avg = = = 118.725 oC
4 4
T5, avg = = = 101.725 oC
4 4
T6, avg = = = 87.65 oC
4 4
T7, avg = = = 77.125 oC
4 4
T8, avg = = = 85.1 oC
4 4
T9, avg = = = 114.15 oC
4 4

T10, avg = = = 116.075 oC
4 4

T11, avg = = = 92.6 oC
4 4
10
Calculations of Conductivity based on Line of Best fit of Average
Thermocouple Temperatures:
The following calculation is based on Line of best fit between Thermocouple 1-7.
•
Q = 35Watts, Leffective = 45.7cm = 45.7 × 10−2 m
From Excel, The slope, (per m of radius): ∆Tslope,1−7 = 3077.3 oC
 0.0085 
Heating Surface Area of Heated Rod: As = 2π rLeffective = 2π   ( 45.7 ×10 ) = 0.0122035m
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 × 10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
∴ Conductivity: k = = = 0.43W / m.o C or 0.43W / m.K
As ∆Tslope ,1−7 0.0122035 ( 3077.3)
This is close to the actual value of thermal conductivity for dry sand of 0.35W / m.K
| Calculated − Actual | | 0.43 − 0.35 |
% Error = × 100 = ×100 = 22.9%
Actual 0.35
•
Q = 35Watts, Leffective = 45.7cm = 45.7 ×10 −2 m
From Excel, The slope, (per m of radius): ∆Tslope ,1− 2 = 7133.3 oC
 0.0085 
Heating Surface Area of Heated Rod: As = 2π rLeffective = 2π   ( 45.7 × 10 ) = 0.0122035m
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 × 10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope,1− 2 0.0122035 ( 7133.3 )
This is not close to the actual value of thermal conductivity for dry sand of 0.35W / m.K
% Error = × 100 = × 100 = 48.6%
Actual 0.35
11
•
From Excel, The slope, (per m of radius): ∆Tslope,2−3 = 4050 oC
 0.0085 
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 ×10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope ,2−3 0.0122035 ( 4050 )
This is pretty close to the actual value of thermal conductivity for dry sand of 0.35W / m.K
% Error = × 100 = ×100 = 8.6%
Actual 0.35
•
From Excel, The slope, (per m of radius): ∆Tslope,3− 4 = 2886.7 oC
 0.0085 
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 ×10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope ,3−4 0.0122035 ( 2886.7 )
This is close to the actual value of thermal conductivity for dry sand of 0.35W / m.K
% Error = × 100 = × 100 = 28.6%
Actual 0.35
•
 0.0085 
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 ×10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope ,4−5 0.0122035 ( 2266.7 )
% Error = × 100 = × 100 = 65.7%
Actual 0.35
12
•
 0.0085 
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 ×10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope ,5−6 0.0122035 (1876.7 )
% Error = × 100 = ×100 = 100%
Actual 0.35
•
From Excel, The slope, (per m of radius): ∆Tslope,6 −7 = 1403.3 oC
 0.0085 
−2 2
 2 
35 ( 45.7 × 10−2 )
•
Q Leffective
As ∆Tslope ,6−7 0.0122035 (1403.3)
This is pretty close to the actual value of thermal conductivity for dry sand of 0.35W / m.K
% Error = × 100 = ×100 = 166%
Actual 0.35
References
Frank P. Incropera and David P. DeWitt, Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer,
Chapter 5, 1996.
University of Windsor, Heat Transfer 1 Lab Manual, STEADY STATE HEAT CONDUCTION IN A
CYLINDER, 2006.
Cengel Y. A. Heat and Mass Transfer: A Practical Approach, 3rd edition WCB/McGraw-Hill, 2006.
Hukseflux Thermal Sensors (2007). Thermal Conductivity Science. Retrieved June 14, 2007, from
http://www.hukseflux.com/thermal%20conductivity/thermal.htm
13

Laboratory A: Steady State Heat Conduction in A Cylinder

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Laboratory A: Steady State Heat Conduction in A Cylinder

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Laboratory A

Steady State Heat Conduction in a Cylinder

Dr. Bill ZHOU

Schematic 1: Sketch for Apparatus of Heat Conduction in a Cylinder

Plots for Radius of Thermocouple Number Positions vs. Temperature

Radius of Thermocouple Positions vs. Temperature

Radius vs. Temperature

Radius of Thermocouple positions vs. Temperature

Radius vs. Temperature Linear (Radius vs. Temperature)

Plot for Graphical Method of Determining Thermal Conductivity (Cont.)

Radius of Thermocouple position vs. Temperature

Figure 3: Line of Best Fit for Between Neighboring Thermocouples

In order to calculate the Average Temperature of the Thermocouples, the

For the future experiments, in order to minimize the sources of errors it is

Thermocouple Number 10:

Thermocouple Number 11:

You might also like