Heat Transfer

Lab Report

Experiment 4: Study of heat transfer in free and forced

convection.
Instructor: Mr. Ammar Ahmad

Name: Muhammad Farhan Saleem

Roll #: 04-3-1-024-2017

Group #: G 6

Date of Submission: June 6, 2021

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences,
 Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Table of Contents
1 Abstract...............................................................................................................3

2 Learning Objectives..............................................................................................3

3 Introduction.........................................................................................................3

4 Experimental Setup..............................................................................................4

5 Theory..................................................................................................................5

5.1 Free Convection........................................................................................................5

5.2 Forced Convection.....................................................................................................6

6 Procedure.............................................................................................................7

6.1 General Start-up Procedure:......................................................................................7

6.2 Procedure of Experiment...........................................................................................7

7 Observation and Calculations...............................................................................8

8 Result and Discussion.........................................................................................11

List of Figures
Figure 4-4-1: Experimental Setup....................................................................................................................4
Figure 4-4-2: Schematic of Experimental Setup..............................................................................................5
Figure 4-5-1: Typical graph of power against surface temperature...............................................................6
Figure 4-5-2: Typical graph of air velocity against surface temperature........................................................6
Figure 7-1 Power vs Surface Temperature.....................................................................................................10
Figure 7-2 Air velocity vs surface temperature..............................................................................................10

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1 Abstract
Convection occurs in liquids and gases. For any solid to lose or gain heat by convection it
must be in contact with the fluid. Convection cannot occur in a vacuum. In this
experiment we will learn to measure heat transfer coefficient in case of both, free and
forced convection. We will observe the higher effectiveness of forced convection in
transferring heat in comparison to free convection and the effect of speed of fluid on the
heat transfer coefficient of forced convection will also be studied. The measurement and
prediction of heat transfer coefficients for such circumstances is achieved in this
experiment by studying the temperature profiles and heat flux in an air duct with
associated flat transfer surface.

2 Learning Objectives
 Student will learn to measure heat transfer coefficient in case of both, free and
forced convection
 They will observe the higher effectiveness of forced convection in transferring
heat in comparison to free convection
 The effect of speed of fluid on the heat transfer coefficient of forced convection
will also be studied

3 Introduction
Convection is the transfer of heat by the movement of a fluid (liquid or gas) between
areas of different temperature. Warm air is less dense than cold air, and so convection
currents can form in the presence of a temperature gradient. When currents are produced
only by temperature-derived density differences in the fluid, it is known as natural
convection. When the convection currents are due to an external factor such as a pump or
fan, this is forced convection. The faster the fluid is moved, the faster the rate of
convection.

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The exchange of heat by convection between a body and its environment depends on:

 The temperature gradient between the two (this determines the amount of heat
absorbed or donated by a given mass of air that comes into contact with the
surface).
 Relative movement of the fluid with which the body is in contact.
Convection occurs in liquids and gases. For any solid to lose or gain heat by convection it
must be in contact with the fluid. Convection cannot occur in a vacuum.

Heat transfer by simultaneous conduction and convection, whether free or forced, forms
the basis of most industrial heat exchangers and related equipment.

The measurement and prediction of heat transfer coefficients for such circumstances is
achieved in this experiment by studying the temperature profiles and heat flux in an air
duct with associated flat transfer surface.

4 Experimental Setup
Model: EES-TH-3104

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 Figure 4-4- 1: Experimental Setup

Figure 4- 4-2: Schematic of Experimental Setup

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5 Theory

5.1 Free Convection

A heated surface dissipates heat primarily through a process called convection. Heat is
also dissipated by conduction and radiation; however, these effects are not considered in
this experiment. Air in contact with the bot surface is heated by the surface and rises due
to a reduction in density. The heated air is replaced by cooler air which is in turn heated
by the surface and rises. This process is called free convection.

The hotter the temperature of the surface, the greater the convective currents and more
beat (power) will be dissipated. If more power is supplied to a surface, the temperature of
the surface must rise to dissipate this power.

Figure 4- 5-3: Typical graph of power against surface temperature

5.2 Forced Convection

In free convection the heat transfer rate from the surface is limited by the small
movements of air generated by this heat. More heat is transferred if the air velocity is
increased over the heated surface. This process of assisting the movement of air over the
heated surface is called Forced Convection. Therefore, a heated surface experiencing

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forced convection will have a lower surface temperature than that of the same surface in
free convection, for the same power input.

Figure 4- 5-4: Typical graph of air velocity against surface temperature

6 Procedure

6.1 General Start-up Procedure:

1. Connect the mains input power supply plug to a nearest single-phase electrical
supply of 220V AC/50Hz.
2. Turn the heater power control knob and fan speed control knob fully anti-
clockwise.
3. Clamp the flat plate beat exchanger into the duct using the two toggle clamps and
connect the heater power supply lead and temperature controller lead with the
control box.
4. Ensure that the sensor hole is aligned with the direction of the airflow when
inserting the probe through the wall of the duct.
5. Switch on the main power.
6. Check that the L.E.D. meter as they are illuminated. Check that the temperature
meter indicates temperatures.

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 7. Increase the heater power in the exchanger by rotating the power control knob
clockwise. The power supplied to the exchanger should be shown in watts on the
meter.
8. Switch on the fan and increase the speed by rotating the fan speed control knob
clockwise.
9. Observe that the air velocity is indicated on the indicator.
10. Check that the plate temperature (TH) increases.
11. Set the heater power control and fan speed control knob to minimum.
12. Now you are ready for the following experiments.

6.2 Procedure of Experiment

A. Free Convection

1. Place the heat exchanger into the test duct.

2. Set up the plate heat exchanger
3. Set the heater power control to 20 Watts (clockwise).
4. Allow sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions before noting the heated
plate temperature (TH) and ambient temperature (TA) into the table below.
5. Repeat this procedure at 40, 60 and 80 Watts.
B. Forced Convection

1. Place the heat exchanger into the test duct.

2. Set up the plate heat exchanger
3. Set the heater power control to 50 Watts (clockwise). Allow sufficient time to
achieve steady state conditions before noting the heated plate temperature (TH)
and the ambient temperature (TA)-
4. Set the fan speed control to give a reading of 0.5m/s on the thermal anemometer,
allow sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions. Record heated plate
temperature (TH) and ambient temperature (TA).
5. Repeat this procedure at 40, 60 and 80 Watts.
C. Forced convection with varying air speed

1. Place the heat exchanger into the test duct.

2. Set up the plate heat exchanger
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 3. Set the heater power control to 50 Watts (clockwise). Allow sufficient time to
achieve steady state conditions before noting the heated plate temperature (TH)
and the ambient temperature (TA)
4. Set the fan speed control to give a reading of 0.5 m/s on the thermal anemometer,
allow sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions. Record heated plate
temperature (TH) and ambient temperature (TA).
5. Repeat this procedure by setting the fan speed control to give 10 m/s and 1.5 m/s
and onwards.

7 Observation and Calculations

A. Free Convection
Area= A = 140.3cm2

Table 1 Observation Table for Free Convection

Plate Temperature Ambient Heat transfer

Input Power TH – TA
(TH) Temperature (TA) Coefficient, h
(W) (0C)
(0C) (0C) W/m2. K
13 25.4 16 9.4 0.032811115
20 34.8 16 18.8 0.048852527
25.6 44.3 18 26.3 0.060964298
30.5 52.1 16 36.1 0.070330412

B. Forced Convection
Area= A = ___140.3cm2_

Table 2 Observation Table for Forced Convection

Plate Temperature Ambient Heat transfer

Input Power TH – T A
(TH) Temperature (TA) Coefficient, h
(W) (0C)
(0C) (0C) W/m2. K
13 51.2 18 33.2 0.030260806
20 53.1 19 34.1 0.04641865
25.6 56..6 19 37.6 0.058746344

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 30.5 61.3 19 42.3 0.068947448

C. Forced convection with varying air speed

Area= A = _____140.3cm2________

Table 3 Observation Table for Forced Convection with varying speed

Plate Ambient
Heat transfer
Air Velocity Temperature Temperature TH – TA
Coefficient, h
m/s (TH) (TA) (0C)
W/m2. K
(0C) (0C)
4.1 61.1 19 42.1 0.067860207
4.82 65.3 19 46.3 0.066967589
5.10 66.9 19 47.9 0.06663369
5.85 67.9 19 48.9 0.066426689

40

35

30
Watt

25

20

15

10
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
TH – TA

Figure 7-5 Power vs Surface Temperature

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 6.5

Air Velocity 5.5

4.5

4
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
TH – TA

Figure 7- 6 Air velocity vs surface temperature

8 Result and Discussion

In this experiment, our aim was to find out effect on convection for the natural and forced
system. For this purpose, we have set up the apparatus for the flat plate surface for our
experiment.

Heat transfer is greater in forced convection then in free convection because its heat
transfer coefficient is greater than free convection heat coefficient.

From the experiment we have calculated the temperature difference between ambient
temperature and heater temperature for the case of both free and forced convection.
Temperature difference is less in free convection then in forced one.

From the graph between air velocity and temperature difference sated the air velocity
decreases the temperature difference decreases and vice versa. This is because heat
transfer is affected because of air velocity.

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