EXPERIMENT Natural convection and Radiation

INTRODUCTION
Heat transfer from a heated solid body to surrounding fluid predominantly occurs in a process known
as convection wherein the fluid motion (convection currents) facilitates thermal energy exchange across
the solid-fluid interface. There are two basic types of convection processes. In forced convection the
fluid motion is induced by a fan or pump while in free (or natural) convection, the fluid is set to
motion by temperature-induced fluid density variations adjacent to the heated body. Convection heat
transfer is commonly encountered (or used) in almost all heat-related technological applications, for
example in computer CPU cooling, ovens. IC engines, turbine plants, pipe flows and building air
conditioning. This laboratory is designed to examine the behavior of convection heat flow from a
heated cylinder placed in an air flow stream. By recording necessary parameters, the magnitudes and
key characteristics of convection heat flow from the cylinder to the air flow are determined.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of the laboratory is to conduct test to obtain necessary measurements and evaluate
the thermal behavior of free convection heat transfer process at a heated cylinder.
To determine radiant heat transfer

THEORY

Calculation for Radiant Heat Transfer Coefficient = hr

Radiant heat Transfer = Qr

-8 2 4
Where σ = Boltzman constant = 5.6x10 W/m K
Є =Emissivity of the body = 1
F = shape factor =1
A = Surface Area
V = Voltage
I = Current
APPARATUS

The test equipment is schematically shown in Fig. 1 and, comprises a small wind tunnel fitted with
a centrifugal fan and a solid test cylinder mounted across the air flow. The test cylinder is heated
by a cartridge heater powered by a voltage regulator. A throttle plate attached to the centrifugal fan
controls the air flow rate through the wind tunnel while an anemometer placed upstream of the
cylinder measures the air velocity through the wind tunnel. A thermocouple embedded in the test
cylinder measures the cylinder surface temperature. The test cylinder is rotatable so that the
thermocouple can be positioned at selected angles with respect to the air flow direction. A second
thermocouple placed upstream of the anemometer records the air temperature flowing on to the test
cylinder. The readings of heater voltage V (V), heater current I (A), cylinder surface temperature
T., (0C), upstream air temperature T. (00), air velocity U (m/s) are displayed on the console unit.
PROCEDURE
1. Turn on the front main switch.
2. Open the throttle plate to open the inlet such that to have maximum flow area.
3. Set the voltage applied to the heater to 15 V (or little above)and allow the cylinder
temperature to become steady.
4. Make sure the cylinder thermo couple is set fixed at ϴ = 00 position
5. At steady conditions, note down the readings of heater voltage, heater current,
upstream air temperature and the cylinder surface temperature.
6. increasing the voltage in steps, repeat the step 3 (above) to obtain several set of
Readings. Note that it is important to allow sufficient time to reach steady conditions.
7. Note down the typical measurement accuracies of voltage, current and temperature.

OBSERVATIONS
Test No V-Voltage (V) I-Current (A) T1 T2

CALCULATIONS
Calculate Convective heat transfer neglecting heat losses.
Calculate the experimental values of Convective heat transfer coefficient.
Calculate Radiant heat transfer coefficient.
Calculate Radiant heat transfer.

RESULTS Tabulate the results from the calculations.

DISCUSSION 1. Notes on convection and radiation.

2. Discuss the experiment with improvements to be added.
3. Discuss and write notes on industrial/built environment applications.

REFERENCES