University of Zakho

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Lab/ Heat Transfer
3 stage

Experiment No. (1): Use of the Fourier Rate Equation and Thermal
Conductivity .

Student Name: yousif araz Othman

Date of experiment: September 18 , 2022
Date lab report is submitted: September 25, 2022
 Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 3
PURPOSE:- ......................................................................................................... 4
APPARATUS: ...................................................................................................... 4
Theory ............................................................................................................... 5
Experimental procedure .................................................................................... 6
Calculation and result ........................................................................................ 8
Discussion .......................................................................................................... 9

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 Introduction

Fourier’s law of thermal conduction states that the time rate of heat
transfer through a material is proportional to the negative gradient in the
temperature and to the area. Thermal Engineering

Fourier’s law of Thermal Conduction

Heat transfer processes can be quantified in terms of appropriate rate
equations. The rate equation in this heat transfer mode is based
on Fourier’s law of thermal conduction. This law states that the time rate
of heat transfer through a material is proportional to the
negative gradient in the temperature and to the area, at right angles to
that gradient, through which the heat flows. Its differential form is:

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 PURPOSE:-
To understand the use of the Fourier Rate Equation in determining the
rate of heat flow for steady-state conduction of energy through the wall
of a cylinder (radial energy flow) and using the equation to determine
the constant of proportionality (the thermal conductivity k) of the disk
material.

1. APPARATUS: The HT12C Computer Compatible Radial Heat Conduction

Accessory consist of:

a. Electrical Heater.
b. Water pump.
c. Metal disk with insulation.
d. Passages for water flowrate.
e. Valve, regulator and filter.
f. Thermocouples to measure temperatures.
g. Envelope to contain the above.
h. HT10XC Heat Transfer Service Unit

Ht 12 c

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 Theory

It is clear that when the inner and outer surfaces of a cylinder are each at a
different uniform temperature, heat flows radially through the wall of the
cylinder. The disk can be considered to be constructed as a series of successive
layers. From continuity considerations the radial heat flow through each of the
successive layers in the wall must be constant if the flow is steady but since the
area of the successive layers increases with radius, the temperature gradient
must decrease with radius. If a concentric layer (of thickness dR and radius R
from the centre) in the wall of the cylinder is considered, the area of heat flow
is 2R for a unit length of cylinder. The temperature gradient normal to the
axis of the cylinder is dT/dR. According to Fourier's law:
𝑑𝑡
𝑄 = −2𝜋𝑅 𝑘( )
𝑑𝑅
Since Q is independent of R, integration gives:
𝑅
𝑄 𝑙𝑛( 6) = −2𝜋𝑘(𝑇6 − 𝑇1 ) for heat flow through a unit length of the cylinder .
𝑅1

(where R1 is the inside radius with corresponding temperature T1 and R6 is an

outer radius corresponding to temperature T6).
Considering a cylinder of length x and rearranging the equation to eliminate
the -ve sign gives:
(𝑇1 − 𝑇6 )
𝑄 = 2𝜋𝑘
𝑅
ln ( 6 )
𝑅1
Rearranging the equation gives:
𝑅6
𝑄𝑙𝑛()
𝑅1
𝑘=
2𝜋(𝑇1 − 𝑇6 )
The heat flow path in the HT12C consists of a cylinder 3.2 mm long (thickness of disk x) with
inside radius R1 = 7 mm (where thermocouple T1 is located) and outer radius R6 = 50 mm
(where thermocouple T6 is located). The object of this exercise is to determine the
conductivity of the disk material from measurements of temperature difference and heat
flow through the cylindrical disk.

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 Experimental procedure

1- The first step that we do we will set up the ht12c radial heat conduction
To the ht10xc heat transfer service on the appropriate bench .

2- The second step or after that we will get the thermocouples that we
have and connected to the ht12c , and we have 6 thermocouples , and
after we connected the thermocouples we must make sure that is
connected successful to don’t have error in our calculation .
3- In this point we will setting up the voltage voltage control
potentiometer to minimum (anticlockwise) and we will do this before
we connecting the heater from the ht12c to the output 2 at the back of
the service .
4- And here we will link the cold water flow control valve to the ht10c
console's AUXILIARY CONTROL connection, but we must sure that our
motors is work without any problem because often errors its from
motors .

5- Connect the cold water flow rate sensor to the socket marked Fw on the
HT10XC console.
6- If using a computer to operate the accessory, set the REMOTE/MANUAL
selector switch on the console back to REMOTE.
7- Ensure that a cold water supply is connected to the inlet of the pressure
regulating valve on HT12C.
8- The water supply should be on. Ensure that the flexible cooling water
outlet tube is directed to a suitable drain.
9- Ensure that the service unit is connected to an electrical supply.

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Switch on the MAINS switch. (If the panel meters do not illuminate check the
RCD at the rear of the service unit, the switch should be up.)
If using a computer, check that the software indicates IFD OK in the bottom right
hand corner of the software window.
Adjust the cooling water flow control valve to give approximately 1.5 litres/min.
If using a computer, adjust the valve using the control box on the mimic diagram.
If operating the equipment manually using the HT10XC console, set the upper
display selector switch to L/min and observe the upper display panel while
adjusting the AUXILIARY CONTROL knob.
Set the Heater Voltage to 12 Volts. If using a computer, adjust the voltage using
the control box on the mimic diagram. If operating the equipment manually
using the HT10XC console, set the upper display selector switch to V (volts) and
observe the upper display panel while adjusting the AUXILIARY CONTROL knob.
Allow the HT12C to stabilize. If using a computer, monitor the temperatures on
the mimic diagram. If using the console, monitor the temperatures using the
lower selector switch/meter.
When the temperatures are stable, select the (start) icon if using the computer
to take a set of results, or manually record the following if using the console:
T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, V, I, Fw*
(*Fw will not be available with the HT12 unless the optional flow sensor SFT2 is
fitted).
Set the heater voltage to 17 volts.
Allow the H12C to stabilize then repeat the above readings.
Set the Heater Voltage to 21 Volts.
Allow the HT12C to stabilise then repeat the above readings.
Set the Heater Voltage to 24 Volts.
Allow the HT12C to stabilise then repeat the above readings.

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 Calculation and result

For the first equation we will do like this . (note) I will solve just the first
equation because the other equation is solve like first equation .

The solution
V1 = 8 , and I1 = 1.41 , Q1 =? In here we need the Q
We will calculate by this road Q= I∗V Q1 = 1.41 ∗ 8 = 11.2 kw
And now we have R1 = 0.007 m R 6 = 0.050 m T1 = 40.7 Co T6 = 30.6 Co

Q1 = 11.2 kw x = 0.0032 m

And now we can find the thermal conductivity

R
Q1 ∗ln 6 11.2∗ln
0.050
R1
k= = k= 0.007
2∗3.14∗(0.0032)∗( 40.7−30.6 )
= 108.4 W/m.
2π∗x∗( T1 −T6 )

and I have another note (*the voltage of the each run is changed because in
here we have 3 run and we don’t take the same voltage for the all ).

N0 V I T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 𝑅6 𝑅1 𝑥
1 8 1.41 40.7 38.6 35.4 32.6 31.6 30.6 0.05 0.007 0.0032
2 12 2.07 53.7 49.3 41.6 36.2 33.8 31.8 0.05 0.007 0.0032
3 15 2.59 67.7 60.7 50.5 40.2 37.1 33.3 0.05 0.007 0.0032

Heat flow Thermal conductivity

N0
𝑘𝑤 w/m.c
1 11.2 108.4
2 24.84 110.4
3 38085 110.4

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the graph should be more liner than that graph, because the error that we
have make the graph is not liner. And temperature become lower with radius
like in radius 1 temperature is higher than the in radius 6 because the heater is
nearest in R1 than R6.

Discussion

1- To make a temperature we will use thermocouple to change from

electrical voltage .

2- H10X method connected to HT12C method HT10XC by some wire that is

thermocouple wire, and HT10XC transfer voltage and current to the
HT12C and in HT12C water comes in by a motor the water gets in and
that voltage and current change the water temperature inside the
HT12C method. Temperature change with time and that change
depending on the electrical current.

3- When we talk about error the first error is in the ht10xc because the
voltage its in this part and the voltage is decrease step by step with out
any effect , the second error we have the motors of water if they didn’t
work correctly we will have error in our equation , the third error we
don’t take time its mean we must take the initial time and the final time
to know the accurate of our equation .