Laboratory report
Mechanical Engineering 096591462
Laboratory Report Forced Convection
Heriot Watt University
GROS Kevin
Mechanical Engineering 096591462
Summary :
1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)
Introduction Apparatus Theory Procedure Results Discussion Conclusion References
1) Introduction :
The understanding of heat transfer characteristics of materials is important to the engineering world because this process is useful to engineers for understanding fluid flow analysis to be performed. And they can determine temperature distribution of components which is useful in applications such as heat exchangers, heating systems or cooling and insulation materials. In this experiment, we are going to determinate the heat transfer characteristics of a copper rod which is placed in the heat exchanger. This is simply to blow air over the surface of the cylinder, by monitoring the rate of cooling of the copper rod. As the air flows across the rod it will be cooled by convection. The relevant readings are monitored using a thermocouple and of a computer software. From the experimental data and theory we can so determine the heat transfer characteristics.
Heriot Watt University
GROS Kevin
Mechanical Engineering 096591462
2) Apparatus :
• • • • • • To realize this experiment we can use the following equipment : The air outlet orifice (for controling the percentage of air speed through the wind tunnel). The electric heater (for heating the copper rod until the desired temperature). The copper rod is placed in the test section. The wind tunnel (to produce a forced convection via an electric motor). The petro tube (for measuring the air speed). The PC (with a software for saving all the experimental data obtained).
Heriot Watt University
GROS Kevin
Mechanical Engineering 096591462
3) Theory :
Considering the heat lost by forced convection form the test rod. The amount of heat transferred is given by :
˙ ˙ Q=×A×T −T a (1) where Q A T Ta
So,