Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Experiment Aim:

1. Calculating the forced heat convection coefficient (hNc ) for a heated

cylinder.

2. Find the relation between RaNo. and NuNo. for fluid flow around a
cylinder.

Introduction:

Free Convection: is the heat transfer between a solid surface and the

adjacent fluid as a result of the temperature difference between them.

This temperature difference leads to a density difference near the

surface and causes buoyancy forces that give the fluid a natural

motion which leads to a heat transfer between the fluid and the solid

surface.

Grashof Number: It is a dimensionless number that expresses

the fluid motion that results from the buoyancy forces near the solid
surface as shown in following formula:

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𝛽.𝜌2 .∆𝑡.𝐿𝐶3
Gr =
𝜇2

where:

p is the fluid density at the film temperature.

µ is the fluid dynamic viscosity at the film temperature.

Lc is the 'characteristic length of the geometry (Lc = d for horizontal

cylinder and Lc = L for vertical cylinder)

𝛽 = 1/Tf Tf = Ta +Tw/2

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Prandtle Number: It is a dimensionless number that relates the

thermo-physical properties of the fluid. The Prandtle numbers for

gases

are about 1.
𝜇𝐶𝑝 𝑣
Pr = = = (Diffusivity for momentum)/ (Diffusivity for heat)
𝐾 𝑎
Rayleigh Number: It is the multiplication of Gr and Pr:

Ra = Gr. Pr

Nusslet Number: It is a dimensionless group that represents the ratio

of the heat transfer by convection to the heat transfer by conduction.

hd
Nu = k

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Experiment Theory

1. The Apparatus used: the apparatus used in this experiment is called

Cross-Flow Heat Exchanger. Draw a schematic shape for the apparatus

demonstrating Theory: its parts clearly. The apparatus parts are as:

♦Horizontal wind tunnel with specified length and has several holes.

♦Electric heater used for heating the copper specimen.

♦Alcohol manometer for measuring pressure.

♦ Fan + Gate for changing the amount of the air drawing opening. •

Digital Thermometer for measuring specimen temperature.

♦ Digital Timer for measuring required time to reach a specified

temperature.

♦ Pitot-Static Tube for measuring static pressure.

2. The Experiment Procedure: The specimen is heated by using the

electric heater until reaching a specified temperature value (for

example 85°C or 90°C). Then the specimen is put horizontally into

one of the holes in the wind tunnel. Consequently, the forced air

attaches the copper specimen surface as a result the specimen

temperature is decreased with increasing time etc. ....

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Calculations and Results:

1. The heat transfer coefficient for fluid flow around a heated copper

cylinder is found by using the following heat balance:

(Total energy entering the system j — Total energy leaving the system =

(Change in the total energy of the system)

Qout =hA∆T =hA (T —Ta) where: Ta = ambient temperature, [°C].

Qin = 0

dT
Qstore = mC .
dt
dT
Qstore =Qin—Qout => mC = —hAT —T0)
dt
Finally, we get:
ℎ𝐴 𝑇 —𝑇𝑎
1= x
𝑚𝑐 𝑑𝑇⁄𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑑𝑇 𝑡 ℎ𝐴
∫𝑇 = - ∫0 𝑚𝑐 𝑑𝑡
𝑖 𝑑𝑡
T−Ta ℎ𝐴
ln = - 𝑡
Ti−Ta 𝑚𝑐

where Ti: initial temperature, [Co]

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Then (h) is calculated from the following diagram:

ℎ𝐴
tanØ = slope =
𝑚𝑐
𝑚𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅
h = {W/m2 Co}
𝐴
after calculating the value of (h) for all cases of drawing air openings,
the value of (Nu) is determined
ℎ𝑑
Nu =
𝐾
❖ Some number values needed during the calculations:

dr =Rod diameter= 0.0124m.

Lr =Rod length= 0.095m.

cpr =Rod specific heat = 380 J I Kg. Co

Ar. =Rod cross-sectional area= 0.00404m2

mr =Rod mass= 0.1093Kg

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

2. find the relation between Rayleigh number and Nusselt number

h = f (ρ, µ, Cp, K, V, d,)

Nu = C (Gr, Pr) n for free convection

Nu = C(Ra)n

Log (Nu) = Log|C(Ra)n|

Log (Nu) = LogC + nLog (Ra)

The values of (C) and (n) is found from the diagram that relates

(log (Ra)) & (log (Nu))

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Calculations&Results
T−Ta T−Ta
ln
Ti−Ta Ti−Ta

1. 92 – 18 / 92 – 18 = 1 ln (1) = 0

2. 82 – 18 / 92 – 18 = 0.86 ln (0.86) =- 0.15

3. 72 – 18 / 92 – 18 = 0.72 ln (0.72) = -0.32

4. 62 – 18 / 92 – 18 = 0.59 ln (0.59) = -0.52

5. 52 – 18 / 92 – 18 = 0.45 ln (0.45) = -0.79

Y-Values
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
-0.1

-0.2

-0.3
ln(T-Ta/Ti-Ta)

-0.4

-0.5

-0.6

-0.7

-0.8

-0.9
t(sec)

And by using excel we found that:

Slop = tanØ = - 0.0013

𝑚𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅
h = = 0.1093 x 380 x 0.0013/0.00404 = -13.364 {W/m2 Co}
𝐴

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

|ℎ|𝑑
Nu = *Note: I toke the absolute value of (h) in Results below.
𝐾

1. Nu = 13.364*0.0124/0.028809 =5.752 Log (Nu) = 0.759

2. Nu = 13.364*0.0124/0.028478 = 5.819 Log (Nu) = 0.764

3. Nu = 13.364*0.0124/0.028134 = 5.89 Log (Nu) = 0.77

4. Nu = 13.364*0.0124/0.02779 = 5.963 Log (Nu) = 0.775

5. Nu = 13.364*0.0124/0.027432 = 6.04 Log (Nu) = 0.781

𝛽.𝜌2 .∆𝑡.𝐿𝐶3
Gr =
𝜇2
𝜇𝐶𝑝
Pr =
𝐾
Ra = Pr * Gr

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

1.Tf = 92+18/2 = 55 C
1 2 3
∗1.062 ∗9.81∗(92−18)∗0.0124
Gr = 328.15
= 12.183 * 103
(19.76∗10−6 )2

Pr = 0.71

Ra = 8649.93 Log (Ra) =3.937

2.Tf = +18/2 = 50 C
1 2 3
∗1.078 ∗9.81∗(82−18)∗0.0124
Gr = 323.15
= 11.274* 103
(19.31∗10−6 )2

Pr = 0.702

Ra = 7914.348 Log (Ra) =3.898

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

3.Tf = +18/2 = 45 C
1 2 3
∗1.094 ∗9.81∗(72−18)∗0.0124
Gr = 318.15
= 10.189* 103
(19.31∗10−6 )2

Pr = 0.693

Ra = 7060.977 Log (Ra) = 3.848

4.Tf = +18/2 = 40 C
1 2 3
∗1.112 ∗9.81∗(62−18)∗0.0124
Gr = 313.15
=8.926* 103
(19.08∗10−6 )2

Pr = 0.71

Ra = 6337.46 Log (Ra) = 3.801

5. Tf = +18/2 = 35 C
1 2 3
∗1.13 ∗9.81∗(52−18)∗0.0124
Gr = 308.15
= 7.424* 103
(18.84∗10−6 )2

Pr = 0.701

Ra = 5204.224 Log (Ra) = 3.716

y = 0.1x - 1.1539
Y-Values
-0.755
3.7 3.75 3.8 3.85 3.9 -0.7593.95

-0.76
-0.764

-0.765

-0.77
Log(Nu)

-0.77

-0.775
-0.775

-0.781
-0.78

-0.785
Log(Ra)

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

From the chart and by using Excel we found that:

Slope = tan в = n =0.1002

Also, From the chart and by using Excel we found that:

Log(C) = -1.1539

Tables of Results

T (Co) t (sec) Ra Log (Ra) h (W/m2.Co) Nu Log (Nu)

92 0 8649.93 3.937 13.364 5.752 0.759

82 94.5 7914.348 3.898 13.364 5.819 0.764

72 212.6 7060.977 3.848 13.364 5.89 0.77

62 364.3 6337.46 3.801 13.364 5.963 0.775

52 571.2 5204.224 3.716 13.364 6.04 0.781

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Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

Discussion
1. Discuss the results that you have found and compare your
formula with the formula found in your textbook for the same case.
give the reasons for this difference. 𝛽.𝜌2 .∆𝑡.𝐿𝐶3
Gr = 𝜇2
- The formulas of the experiment are:
𝜇𝐶𝑝
Pr = 𝐾

ℎ𝑑
Nu =
𝐾

While the textbook Formulas for the same case is:

1/6
0.387𝑅𝑎𝑑
Nu = {0.6 + 9 }
[1+(0.559/𝑝𝑟)16 ]8/27

The difference because the formulas in the experiment was found

imperial while in the text the formula was derived.

2. Can you obtain the same formula for the same cylinder but in
vertical position? why?

- in the case of vertical cylinder, the only thing that will change is
the “Characteristic Length” it will be equals (D) instead of equaling
(L)

3. Was the experiment done in steady state situation? why?

- No, it was transient, because the temperature was varying with

time.

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Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

4. What is the experimental principle that was depended on in this

experiment?

- The principle was depending on finding the value of (h) for the
natural convection and also the relation between log (Ra) and Log
(Nu).

5. There are several practical applications for the free convection,

mention number of them?

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

- The wind turbines that converts the wind's kinetic energy into
electrical energy depending on the speed of the wind.

- Heat loss from steam pipe lines in power plants and heat gain in
refrigerant pipe lines in air conditioning applications.

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 Free Heat Convection from a Horizontal Heated Cylinder

References:

1- calculating the air properties from (curiosity fluids)

https://curiosityfluids.com/2019/02/15/air-properties-calculator/

2- calculating prandtle Number from (calculator edge) (for more

accuracy)

http://www.calculatoredge.com/mech/Prandtl.htm

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