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Expt 1 Linear Conduction

This experiment aims to determine the thermal conductivity of materials by measuring the temperature gradient along a cylindrical bar with different materials in its mid-section. Heat is supplied to one end of the bar using an electric heater while the other end is cooled by water. Thermocouples along the bar measure the temperature distribution and the thermal conductivity of the mid-section material is calculated using the temperature readings, heating power, and the bar's properties. The temperature gradient graph is also plotted to analyze heat conduction in solids.

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Zen Ru
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41 views

Expt 1 Linear Conduction

This experiment aims to determine the thermal conductivity of materials by measuring the temperature gradient along a cylindrical bar with different materials in its mid-section. Heat is supplied to one end of the bar using an electric heater while the other end is cooled by water. Thermocouples along the bar measure the temperature distribution and the thermal conductivity of the mid-section material is calculated using the temperature readings, heating power, and the bar's properties. The temperature gradient graph is also plotted to analyze heat conduction in solids.

Uploaded by

Zen Ru
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXPERIMENT 1: LINEAR HEAT CONDUCTION (TD1002A)

Aim of the Experiment: Determination of thermal conductivity of the material of a


cylindrical bar and plotting the temperature distribution graph along the length of the bar
using the linear heat conduction equipment.

Apparatus and materials required:

1. Base Unit

2. Linear heat conduction Experiment Unit

3. Thermal paste

Description of the Apparatus:

The experiment unit is for studying linear heat conduction along a solid bar of uniform cross
sectional area. The bar has an electric heater or heat source at one end to generate thermal
energy. The maximum power input for the heater is 100W. There is a heat sink at the other
end of the bar. Cold water from the base unit flows through the heat sink to remove the
thermal energy. There is a thermal switch next to the heater in the base unit to switch off the
heater upon over-heating. There are seven equally spaced thermocouples along the length of
the bar to measure temperature. The thermocouples are of K-type with an accuracy of ±
0.30C. The bar includes a changeable middle section of different materials to study the effect
of variation in material of the mid-section on temperature gradient along the bar. Insulation
has been provided along the length of the bar to prevent convective and radiative heat loss
and to obtain more accurate result comparable with the theoretical result.

Theory:

Conduction is one of the modes of heat transfer in which heat transfer takes place due to
physical contact between the hot and the cold body. Conductive heat transfer generally takes
place in a solid body. Conductive heat transfer takes place due to two phenomena- lattice
vibration and movement of free electrons. When one end of a solid body is heated, internal
energy of the molecules at that end increases. Then, the molecules start vibrating about their
mean positions and impart internal energy to their neighbouring molecules thus help in
propagation of heat to the neighbouring regions. Similarly, the free electrons in the hotter
region move faster towards the colder region gaining internal energy due to heating and
impart heat to the cooler regions. Heat transfer from the hotter to cooler region takes place
until thermal equilibrium is reached.

The electric power input to the heater, W is the product of voltage across the heater, V and
current passing through it, I.

W = VI

The rate of energy transfer to the solid bar is equal to the power input. So, W =

Fig. 1. Linear heat flow in a solid bar.

Heat transfer takes place from the hotter end of the solid bar at temperature, T 1 towards the
cooler end at T2. If length of the bar is L and cross sectional area is A, then the temperature

gradient developed is .

Then, thermal conductivity of the material of the bar,


Fig.2. Schematic Diagram of the experiment set up.

Procedure:

1. Put the Experiment Set up onto the front of the Base Unit and tighten it with the help of the
thumbscrews provided to hold in accurate position.

2. Remove the mid-section and apply thermal paste on each side of it uniformly. Fix the mid-
section to the bar.

3. Connect the water supply pipes correctly and switch on the water supply. The water flow
valve should be partially opened. Allow water to flow and check for any possible leakages.

4. Connect the thermocouples from the Experiment Set up to the sockets on the Base Unit
matching the correct numbers.

5. Connect the heater cable from the Experiment Set up to the socket on the base unit.

6. Turn the heater control to minimum and switch ON the Base Unit. Switch ON the heater.

7. Set heater power at 30W.

8. Wait till temperature is stabilized to attain steady state as recorded by the thermocouples
from T1 to T7. Now record temperature from T1 to T7.

9. Repeat the experiment for different heater powers greater than 30W and less than 100W.
10. Switch OFF the heater supply and water supply following the experiment.

Tabulation:

Specimen Distance Temperature Electric Power (W)


Material from T1

(mm)

0 T1

20 T2

40 T3

60 T4

80 T5

100 T6

120 T7

Calculation:

Diameter of the bar = 30mm = 0.03m

Cross sectional area of the bar, A = 0.000707m2

Length of the mid-section = 20mm = 0.02m

Total length = 120mm = 0.12m

Rate of heat input, = Electric Power, W = W

For brass mid-section

Thermal conductivity of brass,


For mid-sections other than brass

Resistance for the brass section,

Total resistance, K/W

Resistance of the mid-section,

The actual value of thermal conductivity of the material of the mid-section = W/ m K

Percentage error =

Conclusion: The thermal conductivity of the mid-section is found to be W/ m K


with an error of %. Then, the graph showing temperature variation along the length
of the solid bar is plotted.

Precautions:

1. Don’t touch the experiment unit with wet hands.

2. Clean up the experiment unit if water spills on it.

3. Ensure that water supply pipes are connected correctly to the unit as it affects the results.

4. Avoid any contact of the thermal paste on skin and clothes as it is difficult to be washed
off.

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