Experiment no 5:

Determine the effect of change in orientation on temperature profile for free convection.

Apparatus:
Free and forced convection apparatus

Procedure:
1-Place the flat plate exchanger horizontally onto a suitable surface.
2-Record the ambient air temperature (tA).
3-Set the heater power control to 30 Watts.
4-The surface temperature of the flat plate (tH) can be recorded using the temperature probe,
the tip of the probe being held in contact with the surface by hand.
5-To ensure good contact the thermal compound should be used.
6-Allow sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions before noting the heated plate
temperature. The plate temperature should be taken at the centre of the plate.
7-Place the flat plate vertically taking care not to touch the heated surface with your hands.
Repeat the experiment.

Comments:
1. Vertical plate will cool faster due to natural convection of hot air from the surface of the plates
on both sides.
2. In case of horizontal plate downward surface emitting heat, The air which gets heated up cannot
rise up (Hot air is lighter than cold air) so the heat difference between the plate surface and air
at bottom is less compared to the vertical case
3. Not enough time was given to the base to attain correct base temperature

Observations & Calculations:

Vertical
Base Temperature (Tb)
40.3
45.6
47.6
Horizontal
Base Temperature (Tb)
41.5
47.5
49.2

Power (P)
30
40
50
Power (P)
30
40
50

Graphs:

Temperature Profile (Vertical)

48

BASE TEMPERATURE TB (K)

47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
0

10

20

30
POWER (P) WATT

40

50

60

Temperature Profile(Horizontal)
50

BASE TEMPERATURE (TB) K

49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
0

10

20

30
POWER (P) WATT

40

50

60