PROCESS HEAT TRANSFER

Lab Report

Free and Forced Heat Convection Unit

GROUP NO: 4

Group Members
➢ Muhammad Hassan Sarfraz
➢ Muhammad Rooshan Khalid
➢ Muhammad Ubaid Munir
➢ Hafiz Muhammad Jawad
➢ Saad Ali (s/o Shahid Riaz)
➢ Saad Ali (s/o Muhammad Iqbal)
➢ Muhammad Wahaj Khokhar
Theory
By studying the temperature profiles and heat flux in an air duct with associated flat and extended transfer
surfaces, we can measure and predict heat transfer coefficient. Air temperature and velocity can be readily
measured, and a variety of “plug-in” modules of heated solid surfaces of known dimensions can be
presented to the air stream for detailed study. A fan situated at the top of the duct provides the air stream for
forced convection experiments.
A Control Panel is present there that indicates contains temperature measurement, power, and fan speed.
The temperature indicator has an accuracy of 1C. Air velocity is measured by anemometer. Anemometer
sensor is inserted through the wall of the duct. The power can be varied from 0-100W. A flat plate pinned or
finned exchanger may be installed in the duct and secured by a quick-release catch on each side. Each
exchanger incorporates an electric heating element with thermostatic protection against overheating. The
temperature at the base of each exchanger is monitored by a thermistor sensor with connecting lead
(thermistor probe). The exchanger in use may be viewed through an acrylic window in the wall of the duct.
An upward flow of air may be generated in the duct with a variable speed fan mounted at the top of
rectangular duct. A variable low voltage D.C. supply is provided for the fan via the supply lead.
Free Convection:
A heated surface dissipates heat primarily through a process called convection. The heated air is replaced
by cooler air which is in turn heated by the surface and rises. This process is called free convection. The
hotter the temperature of the surface, the greater the convective currents and more heat (power) will be
dissipated. If more power is supplied to a surface, the temperature of the surface must rise to dissipate this
power.
Forced Convection:
In free convection the heat transfer rate from the surface is limited by the small
movements of air generated by this heat. More heat is transferred if the air
velocity is increased over the heated surface. Thus, the process of assisting the
movement of air over the heated surface is called Forced Convection. Therefore a
heated surface experiencing forced convection will have a lower surface temperature than that of the same
surface in free convection, for the same power input.
Extended Surfaces:
We can improve heat transfer through an object by increasing the surface area in contact with the air. In
practice it may be difficult to increase the size of the body to suit. In these circumstances the surface area in
contact with the air may be increased by adding fins or pins normal to the surface. These features are called
extended surfaces. A typical example is the use of fins on the cylinder and head of an air-cooled petrol
engine. We can compare performance of finned surface with the original one by operating at same power.
For a heat exchanger to be 100% efficient, the whole of the extended surface must be at the same
temperature as the backplane. In practice, this cannot occur
because the flow of heat along the pins or fins by conduction causes a temperature gradient to occur. The
greater this gradient, the less efficient the heat exchanger will be. The finned exchanger has a significantly
larger surface area than the pinned exchanger and can dissipate more heat for the same surface temperature.
When a temperature difference is established between a wall and a stationary fluid, the fluid adjacent to
the wall will move upward if the wail temperature is higher than that of the fluid and downward if the wall
temperature is lower. Density gradients are set up in the fluid resulting in buoyancy forces and free
convective currents. The rate of heat transfer depends mainly on the fluid motion.
 The orientation of the plate affects this movement of air. A horizontal plate restricts the movement of
air and reduces the heat transfer. The same plate mounted vertically will give improved heat transfer.
Start-up Procedure:
1. Connect the input power supply plug to the 220 Volts and 50 Hz A.C. power supply.
2. Switch ON the main power of the set up.
3. Check all the LED display meters as they show the display.
4. Check all the temperature and air velocity sensor as they show readings on the meter.
Shut down Procedure:
1. Switch OFF the heater and turn the power control knob fully anticlockwise and let the plate to cool
down by using the fan controls.
2. Turn OFF the main power supply after the plate has cooled down.

Experiment No. 1
Objective
To demonstrate the relationship between power input and surface temperature in free convection

Abstract:
For this experiment, we studied free convection using free and forced convection unit. To observe the
relationship between input power and surface temperature we gave several power inputs and obtained
temperature difference across the plate in observation with respect to the the atmosphere. A plot was also
generated and a trend line was obtained to study it.

Procedure:
1. First of all, set up the heating plate by clamping it into the duct and connect it with the control box.
2. Start the experiment by increasing the heat by rotating the power control knob.
3. Increase the power till it reaches a specific value of power (say 20 Watts) by observing the voltage
and current values.
4. Let the heater to stabilize and reach a steady condition.
5. Once the steady condition is reached, note down the temperature of ambient condition TA and the
plate TH, and determine the difference (TH-TA).
6. Repeat the experiment for 25 and 30 Watts power.
7. Plot a graph of power against temperature difference.

Observations and Calculations:

Input Power Plate Temperature Ambient TH - TA
oC
(Watts) Temperature (TA ) oC oC

20 23.9 16.8 7.1

25.256 26.4 16.9 9.5

30.12 29.1 16.8 12.3

Input Power Vs Temperature

35

30

25
Input Power (Watt)

20

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Temperature (TH ) oC

Results and Discussions:

➢ In this experiment we studied about relationship between power input and surface temperature in free
convection
➢ From above plot it is observed that surface temperature of plate increases by increasing power of
heater. This is because when heater power is increased, more heat is added to plates and this give rise
to their temperature.
➢ A linear plot indicates a linear relationship between power input and surface temperature in free
convection.
➢ The errors in experiment might be due to
o Fluctuations in power of heater.
o Heat losses to surrounding.
o Instrumental errors
o Human errors
➢ These error could be avoided by performing the experiment in well insulated environment with more
precise equipment.
Experiment No. 2
Objective
To demonstrate the relationship between power input and surface temperature in forced convection

Abstract:
In order to study the relationship between air velocity and surface temperature, we used a free and forced
convection unit. At a fixed power input and variable air velocity, by changing the fan speed, the readings of
temperature were taken. Multiple readings were taken for better results and a graph was plotted to observe
the trend of the results obtained for forced convection.

Procedure:
1. First of all, set up the heating plate by clamping it into the duct and connect it with the control box.
2. Start the experiment by increasing the heat by rotating the power control knob.
3. Set the power of the heater to 30 Watts by rotating the power knob and let the temperature to
stabilize.
4. Note the heated plate and ambient temperature.
5. Now start the fan and set its speed to 0.5 m/s by reading the value on anemometer.
6. Let it to reach a steady condition to give a stable value of temperature.
7. Once the steady state is reached, note down the ambient and hot plate temperature.
8. Repeat the experiment by increasing the fan speed. Note the temperature values at 1 m/s and 1.5 m/s.
9. Plot a graph of speed of air against temperature difference of ambient and hot plate.

Observations and Calculations:

Air Velocity Plate Temperature Ambient Temperature TH - TA
oC
m/s (TA ) oC oC

0 20.1 16.8 12.3

0.5 26.66 16.9 9.76
1 25.66 16.9 8.76
1.5 23.8 16.9 6.9

Air Velocity Vs Temperature

1.6
1.4
Air Velocity (m/s)

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5 13.5
Temperature TH oC
Results and Discussions:
➢ In this experiment we studied about relationship between air velocity and surface temperature in
forced convection for a fixed power.
➢ It is observed in above plot that surface temperature decreases as the air velocity increases. This is
because air takes away heat with it thus increasing rate of heat transfer.
➢ Thus rate of heat transfer in forced convection can be increased by increasing air velocity.
➢ So it can be concluded that rate of heat transfer is more in forced convection as compared to free
convection.
➢ The errors in experiment might be due to
o Fluctuations in power of heater.
o Heat losses to surrounding.
o Instrumental errors
o Human errors
➢ These error could be avoided by performing the experiment in well insulated environment with more
precise equipment.