Heat Transfer

ME-305
Lab Report No. 4
Steady State Conduction through a Thick Cylinder

Submitted by

NUST Scholar Hania Irfan (99-A) 222614

NUST Scholar Koaib Kaleem (99-A) 222611
Avn Cdt Abdullah Khan (99-A) 22099027
Avn Cdt Muhammad Sennan Khan (99-A) 22099018
Avn Cdt Najm-us Saqib (99-A) 22099039

Submitted to
Lab Engineer Zeeshan Khan

Date
June 25th, 2024
Objective
i. To measure the temperature distribution for steady-state conduction of energy through the
wall of a thick cylinder (radial energy flow)
ii. To demonstrate and plot the effect of a change in heat flow on temperature distribution.
Theory
Thermal Conduction
Conduction is the process by which heat is transferred from the hotter end to the colder end of
an object. The ability of the object to conduct heat is known as its thermal conductivity, and is
denoted k.
Heat spontaneously flows along a temperature gradient (i.e. from a hotter body to a colder
body). In the absence of an opposing external driving energy source, within a body or between
bodies, temperature differences decay over time, and thermal equilibrium is approached,
temperature becoming more uniform. In conduction, the heat flow is within and through the
body itself. In solids, conduction is mediated by the combination of vibrations and collisions of
molecules, propagation and collisions of phonons, and diffusion and collisions of free electrons.
In gases and liquids, conduction is due to the collisions and diffusion of molecules during
their random motion.
On a microscopic scale, conduction occurs within a body considered as being stationary; this
means that the kinetic and potential energies of the bulk motion of the body are separately
accounted for. Internal energy diffuses as rapidly moving or vibrating atoms
and molecules interact with neighboring particles, transferring some of their microscopic kinetic
and potential energies, these quantities being defined relative to the bulk of the body considered
as being stationary. Heat is transferred by conduction when adjacent atoms or molecules
collide, or as several electrons move backwards and forwards from atom to atom in a
disorganized way so as not to form a macroscopic electric current, or as phonons collide and
scatter.
Metals (e.g., copper, platinum, gold, etc.) are usually good conductors of thermal energy. This is
due to the way that metals bond chemically: metallic bonds (as opposed to covalent or ionic
bonds) have free-moving electrons that transfer thermal energy rapidly through the metal.

Formula
Fourier’s law of conduction is a phenomenological observation which states that the negative
gradient of temperature and the time rate of heat transfer is proportional to the area at right
angles of that gradient through which the heat flows. Fourier’s law is the other name of the law
of heat conduction.
Fourier’s law of conduction in the differential form is as follows:
Where:

 q is the local heat flux density in W.m2

 k is the conductivity of the material in W m-1 K-1
 ▽T is the temperature gradient in K.m-1
Radial Heat Transfer
If the inner surface of a thick wall cylinder is at a temperature higher than its surrounding, then
heat will flow radially outwards. When the cylinder is imagined as a series of concentric rings
each consists of the same material then it can be seen that each cylinder presents a progressively
larger surface area for heat transfer. Also, if the heat input at the center remains constant then
the heat transfer per unit area must reduce as the heat moves towards the outside diameter,
therefore, the temperature gradient will decrease as the radius increase.
In radial one-dimensional form

Apparatus

1. Heat Transfer Service Unit (H111)

The range of optional modules that can be studied using the Hilton Heat Transfer Service
Unit H111 currently include convection, conduction (steady state and transient), radiation,
perfect gases, thermodynamic properties of fluids and solid materials, enhanced methods of
heat transfer, thermoelectric heat transfer, boiling and condensing heat transfer and a closed
cycle heat engine. However, the range is continuously being expanded.
The unit is comprised of:
- Steel fabricated console with main power input and a variable voltage 0-240 Volts at 2
amps, and a power outlet point for connecting optional equipment.
- 12 Type K input sockets for thermocouples connected using miniature plugs which are
suitable for temperatures in the range of 0-999.9 degrees Celsius.
 - It has a 30mA residual current circuit breaker for disconnecting the system from the
mains in case of current leakage.
2. Linear Heat Conduction Unit (H111B)
The Hilton radial Heat Conduction Unit H111B allows the investigation of the basic laws of
heat transfer by conduction through a cylindrical solid. The H111B is dependent upon the
Heat Transfer service Unit H111 for Heater Power and temperature measurement. The
important features are: -
(a) The unit is mounted on a plastic base plate. It has an insulated solid disk of brass (3.2 mm
thick and 110mm diameter) with a brass core (14mm diameter) and an electric heater at
the center. The brass disk is water-cooled around its circumference.
(b) The central heater is normally rated at 100 Watt (240 Volt AC) and an integral high
temperature cut out (automatic reset) prevents overheating. Power is supplied to the
heater from the heat transfer service unit H111 via 8-pole plug and lead.
(c) Six duplex thermocouples T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 are located at increasing radii from
the heated center record the temperature distribution across the disk. The thermocouples
sensing tips are located in drilled holes so that in each case the measured point is the
center of the disk thickness each thermocouple is fitted with a miniature plug for direct
connection to the heat transfer service unit (H111).
Procedure
1. Ensure that the main switch is in OFF position.
2. Switch on the apparatus.
3. Make sure the thermocouple components are in contact with each other.
4. Take the reading for the voltage and the current supplied from the digital display.
5. Take readings for temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 for the thermocouples 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 and 6.
6. Reset voltage and retake same readings. Take a total of three readings.
7. Note down all the readings and data in the table.
8. Plot the required results
Safety Precautions
 Follow proper start-up and shut-down procedures to prevent sudden temperature changes.
 Adhere to SOPs provided by lab supervisor.
Observations
Heat
Current Voltag T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
Readin Flux T1
(Amperes e (°C (°C (°C (°C (°C
g No. (Watts (°C)
) (Volts) ) ) ) ) )
)
I V Q̇=VI T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
1 0.209 102 21.318 48 45.5 40.5 36.5 35 32.5
2 0.301 151 45.451 55.5 53.5 46.5 41.3 37 33.5
3 0.363 191 69.333 70.5 67.5 55.2 47.0 40.6 36
Radius 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05
7

Graphs
(i) Temperature vs Distance from Thermocouple 1 (Temperature Distribution)

(ii) Power vs Temperature (Effect of flow rate on temperature)

Supporting Material (MATLAB Code)
Individual Analyses:
A/C Sennan: The temperature difference across the surface decreases with the increase in radial
distance, as shown in the graph. Additionally, a higher heat transfer rate corresponds to a larger
temperature difference because the heat transfer rate and the temp gradient are directly
proportional, which is evident from the results.
N/S Hania: From the experiment, we can deduce that the radial distance and the temp gradient
have an inverse relation between them, which ultimately decreases the heat transfer rate as the
temp drop directly affects the heat transfer rate.
NS Koaib: As the distance increases, temperature of thermocouple decreases, which is also
evident from Fourier's law. The temperature distribution is almost logarithmic for radial
compared with linear in case of a plane wall. As we increase power, we increase the heat
transfer rate, and thus temperature increases.
A/C Najam:
In this lab,WE ANALYZED TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION FOR STEADY STATE
CONDUCTION THROUGH THICK CYLINDER (RADIALLY).WE TOOK
MEASUREMENTS AT T1,T2,T3,T4,T5 AND T6 WITH DIFFERENT RADII.WE ALSO
OBSERVED THE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN HEAT FLOW ON TEMPERATURE
DISTRIBUTION.TEMP AT THE OUTER END OF CYLINDER IS LEAST WHILE TEMP AT
INNER END IS MAXIMUM SINCE HEAT IS FLOWING RADIALLY
A/C ABDULLAH:
My analysis is that steady-state conduction through a thick cylinder, heat transfer depends on
thermal conductivity and the temperature difference between surfaces. Higher thermal
conductivity and a larger temperature difference improve heat transfer, while a thicker cylinder
can reduce the temperature gradient. Conversely, lower thermal conductivity and a smaller
temperature difference decrease heat transfer efficiency
Lab Assessment Rubrics
Below
Assessment Outstanding Good Average Poor
SNO Average
Parameters (05) (04) (03) (01)
(02)
Safety Procedures
1
(x1.5)
Equipment Handling
2 and Operations (x1.5)

Group Participation
3
(x1)
 Individual Performance
4
(x 6)
Methodology adopted
5
(x5)
Accuracy and Critical
6 Analysis of Results
(x5)