EXPERIMENT NO.

: 1

AIM : THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF METAL ROD

INTRODUCTION :
Thermal conductivity is the physical property of the material denoting the ease with a
particular substance can accomplish tile transmission of thermal energy by molecular motion.

Thermal conductivity of a material is found to depend on the chemical composition of

the substance or substances of which it is composed, the phase (i.e. gas, liquid or solid) in
which it exists, its crystalline structure of a solid, the temperature and pressure to which it is
subjected, and whether or not it is a homogeneous material.

APPARA TUS :

The experimental set up consists of the in metal bar, one end of which is heated by an
electric heater while the other end of the bar projects inside the cooling water jacket. The-
middle portion of the bar is surrounded by a cylindrical shell filled with the glass wool. The
temperature of the bar is measured at five different positions, while the radial temperature
distribution is measured by separate thermocouples at two different sections in the insulating
shell.
The heater is provided with a dimmer stat for controlling the heat input. Water under constant
head condition is circulated through the jacket and its flow rate and temperature rise are
noted.

SPECIFICATIONS :

1. Length of the metal bar = 450mm

2. Size of the metal bar (diameter) = 40mm
3. Test length of the bar = 120mm
4. No. of thermocouples mounted on the bar = 5 Nos.
5. No. of thermocouples in the insulation shell = 4 Nos.
6. Heater Coil (Band type) - Nichrome heater.
7. Cooling Jacket diameter = 100mm
8. Temperature Indicator : 0-300C. with channel selector switch.
 Positions 1 to 5 - Thermocouple positions on metal bar.
Positions 6 to 9 - Thermocouple position in the shell.
Positions 10 to 11 - To measure rise in temperature of cooling water.
9. Dimmer stat for heater coil - 2 A, 230V A.C.
10. Digital Voltmeter.
11. Flask for measuring water flow rate.
12. Stop clock.

THEORY :
The heater will heat the bar at its end and heat will be conducted through the bar to the other
end. After attaining the steady state temperature heat flowing out of section AA (water) of bar
qw = m. cp T

Where m = mass flow rate of cooling water

Cp - specific heat of water.
= (T11 - T10)

Thermal conductivity of bar at section AA can now be calculated as:

Qw = -KAA. (dt/dx) AA x A

The value of (dt/dx) AA is obtained graphically.

The negative sign is introduced because heat flows in the direction of decreasing temperature
& serves to make the heat flux in the positive direction.

Heat conducted through the section BB of the bar =

qw + Radial heat loss between sections BB and AA =

qbb = qw + 2KL ( T6 - T7)

ln (ro/ri)
Where K = 0.2 Kcal/hr - m - C (Assume value for the powder in M.K.S. units.)

Thermal conductivity at section BB can be calculated as :

qBB = -KBB x (dt / dx) BB x A

Heat conducted through the section CC :

qcc = qBB + 2KL ( T9 T8)

ln (ro/ri)

and qcc = -Kcc x (dt / dx cc x A

Thus the thermal conductivity of bar at different sections can be calculated.

PROCEDURE: -

1. Put ON the electric supply.

2. Give input to the heater by the dimmer stat.
3. Start the cooling water supply through the jacket and adjust it to about 300 to 350 CC/min.
4. Go on checking the temperature at some specified time intervals, say 15 in mutes and
ontinue this till a satisfactory steady state condition is reached.
5. Note the temperature readings 1 In 11.
6. Note the mass flow rate of water in Kg/hr. and temperature rise in C

OBSERVATION TABLE :

Sr. No. Thermocouple No. Temperature C

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Radial distances of thermocouples in insulating shell:

ri = 40 mm

CALCULATION :

1. qAA = qW = m. cp (T11-T10)
- (dt I dx ) AA x A KcalIhr
A itf4.d2 d dia.ofthebar = mm.
KcaL /hrm C.
27tKL(T6-.T7)

2. q8 q +
hi (ro/ri)
= -KaB,(dt/dx)Bu x A
2tKL(T9-T8)

3. cc = qBB +
In (ro/ri)
= (dt/dx)cc x A

RESULT & DISCUSSIONS :

1. The temperature of the bar decreases alone the length of the bar and can be plotted.
2. Thermal conductivity of three sections can be calculated and its variation with temperature
can be studied.

PRECAUTIONS :

1. Selector switch, dimmer knob should be used gently.

2. When the experiment is over turn the dimmer knob to Zero position.