AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

LAB 3
(MEC 3610)

LABORATORY
MANUAL

February 2017
Contents
Experiment1 Linear and Radial Heat Conduction ...................................................................... 1
Experiment 2 Free and Forced Convection.................................................................................................... 2
Experiment 3: Concentric Tube Water Heat Exchanger.................................................................................. 3
Experiment 4: Thermal Radiation ...................................................................................................................... 4
Experiment 5: Laminar/Viscous Flow Heat Transfer ...................................................................................... 5
 Experiment1 Linear and Radial Heat Conduction
A. OBJECTIVE

The aim of the experiment is to study the Fouriers Law on linear and radial conduction heat
transfer, as well as to illustrate the transfer of heat by conduction in solid materials while varying the
parameters affecting conduction.

B. EQUIPMENT

Heat Conduction Study Bench

For linear conduction, an electrical heating element, which comprises of a heat input section
fabricated from brass fitted with an electrical heater, is bonded to one end of a metal rod (heat
source). Another end of the rod, which is also made of brass, is exposed to heat discharge (heat sink).
The outer surface of the cylindrical rod is well insulated; thus yielding one-dimensional linear heat
conduction in the rod once the heating element is switched on. Thermocouples are embedded in the rod,
along its centerline. A simple mimic diagram for heat conduction along a well-insulated
cylindrical rod is shown as below:

Insulation Ac

Imposed Hot Th Tc, Imposed Cold

Temperature Temperature
(Heat Source) qx dx (Heat Sink)
x

For radial conduction, the electrical heating element is bonded to the center part of a circular brass plate (heat
source). The cooling water flows through the edge of the plate that acts as a heat sink for heat discharge. The
other surfaces of the plate are well insulated to simulate radial heat conduction from the plate center to its
edge when the heating element is switched on. The brass plate has a radius, rplate = 60 mm and thickness, t =
3.2 mm. Thermocouples are embedded in the circular plate. A simple mimic diagram for heat conduction along a
well-insulated circular plate is shown as below:

Imposed cold temperature

(Heat Sink) r

Imposed hot temperature (Heat Source)

1
 Experiment 2 Free and Forced Convection

A. OBJECTIVE

The experiment aims to illustrate the transfer of heat by convection both naturally and by force. The
parameters that affect the heat transfer are also explored and comparisons between different types
of solid surfaces are made.

1. To demonstrate the use of extended surfaces to improve heat transfer fr

om a surface.
2. To demonstrate convection heat transfer by using different type of exten
ded surface.
3. To see the effect of different flow velocity on the convection heat transfer.
4. To determine the temperature distribution along an extended surface.

B. EQUIPMENT
1. G.U.N.T. WL350 TEST UNIT, FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION
2. Heater inserts flat plate, cylinder and fin
3. Thermocouple
4. Air measurement probe

Sketch diagram of Convention Heat Transfer Rig

2
 Experiment 3: Concentric Tube Water Heat Exchanger
A. OBJECTIVE

The experiment aims to demonstrate the working principles of industrial heat exchangers. Parallel and
counter flow arrangements shall be used and the efficiency of the heat exchanger will be investigated in
each case.

B. EQUIPMENT

Concentric Tube Heat Exchanger Model FF104

3
 Experiment 4: Thermal Radiation

A. OBJECTIVE

The experiment aims to demonstrate the most important physical laws on thermal and optical radiation.
1. Stefan Boltzmanns law
2. Lamberts Distance Law
3. Lamberts Direct Law

B. EQUIPMENT

Thermal Radiation Study Unit WL360

4
 Experiment 5: Laminar/Viscous Flow Heat Transfer
A. OBJECTIVE

To determine the surface heat transfer coefficients on both the oil and water sides,
as well as the overall heat transfer coefficient.

B. EQUIPMENT
Hilton Laminar/Viscous Flow Heat Exchanger H970

Useful Data
Heat Exchanger:

Core Tube Material Copper External

Diameter (do) = 12.7mm Internal Diameter
(di) = 11.3mm Effective Length (L) =
859mm

External Heat Transfer Flow Area, Ao = 0.0343m2

Internal Heat Transfer Flow Area, A = 0.0305m2 i
Mean Heat Transfer Flow Area, Am = 0.0324m2
Flow Area, Si = 1.003 x 10-4 m2

Outer Tube Material Copper

External Diameter = 15.9mm
Internal Diameter = 14.4mm
Annulus Flow Area, So = 35.7 x 10-6 m2