State Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nilokheri

SIET
LAB MANUAL, B. TECH. 5th SEMESTER
HEAT TRANSFER LAB (ME-317N)
REV. NO.: Doc: EXPERIMENT NO.6
ISSUE. DATE: MECH. ENGG. DEPTT.

Objective: To study forced convection heat transfer from a cylindrical surface.

Apparatus: Forced Convection Apparatus

Theory:

Convection is defined as a process of heat transfer by combined action of heat conduction and mixing
motion. The convection heat transfer is further classified as Natural Convection and Forced
Convection. If the mixing motion takes place due to density difference caused by temperature gradient,
then Natural or Free Convection knows the process of heat transfer as heat transfer. If the mixing
motion is induced by Forced Convection knows some external means such as a pump or blower, then
the process is known as heat transfer. If the air is flowing into the heated pipe with very high flow rate
then the heat transfer rate increases. The temperature taken by the cold air from the bulk temperature
and rises its temperature. Thus, for the tube the total energy added can be expressed in terms of a bulk-
temperature difference by:

q = m Cp ( Tb2 – Tb1 )

Bulk temperature difference in terms of heat transfer coefficient

q = h A ( Tb2 – Tb1 )

The apparatus consists of blower unit fitted with the test pipe. The test section is surrounding by
nichrome heater. Four temperature sensors are embedded on the test section and two temperature
sensors are placed in the air stream at the entrance and exit of the test section. Test Pipe is connected
to the delivery side of the blower along with the Orifice. Input to the heater is given through a
dimmerstat and measured by volt meter & ampere meter. The digital temperature indicator is provided
to measure the temperature. The airflow is measured with the help of orifice meter and the water
manometer which is fitted on the board.
 Diagram of Forced Convection

PROCEDURE:
Starting Procedure:

1. Ensure that the Mains ON/OFF switch given on the panel is at ‘OFF’ position & dimmer stat is at
zero position.
2. Connect electric supply to the set up.
3. Fill water in manometer up to half of the scale, by opening PU pipe connection from the air flow
pipe and connect the pipe back to its position after doing so.
4. Switch ‘ON’ the Mains ON / OFF switch.
5. Set the heater input by the dimmer stat and voltmeter in the range of 40 to 100 V.
6. Switch ‘ON’ the blower.
7. Set the flow of air by operating the valve.
8. After 0.5 hrs., note down the readings of voltmeter, ampere meter, manometer and temperature
sensors in the observation table after every 10 minutes interval till observing change in
consecutive readings of temperatures (± 0.2 oC).
Closing Procedure:
1. After the experiment is over, set the dimmer stat to zero position.
2. Switch ‘OFF’ the blower.
3. Switch ‘OFF’ the Mains ON/OFF switch.
4. Switch ‘OFF’ the electric supply to the set up.

GIVEN:
Di = 0.028 m
Do = 0.038 m
L = 0.4 m
do = 0.014 m
 dp = 0.028 m
Cp = 1.003 kJ/kg oC
ρa = 1.205 kg/m3
ρw = 1000 kg/m3
Co = 0.64

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Observation table:

V I T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 h1 h2
oC oC oC oC oC oC
volts amp cm cm

T2 + T3 + T4 + T5
Ts =
4

T1 + T6
Ta =
2

A= π Di L , m2

h1 – h2
ΔH = [ ( ρw / ρa ) – 1 ] , m

100

C0 ap a0 √ ( 2gΔH )
Qa = m3/s
√ ( ap – a0 )
2 2

m = Q × ρa , kg/s

Qa = m Cp ( T6 – T1 ) , W

Qa
U= , W/m2
A ( Ts – Ta )
Nomenclature:

A = transfer area, m2
Cp = Specific heat of air, kJ/kg oC
Co = Coefficient of discharge
Di = Inner diameter of test section, m
Do = Outer diameter of test section, m
dp = Diameter of pipe, m
do = Diameter of orifice, m
ΔH = Head loss, m of air
I = Ammeter reading, amp
L = Length of test section, m
m = Mass flow rate of air, kg/s
Qa = Heat taken by air, W
Q = Flow rate of air, m3/s
h1,h2 = Manometer readings, cm
T1 = Air inlet temperature, oC
T2,T3,T4,T5 = Surface temperature of test section, oC
T6 = Air outlet temperature, oC
Ts = Average surface temp, oC
Ta = Average temperature of air, oC
U = Heat transfer coefficient, Watt/m²°C
V = Voltmeter reading, volts
ρw = Density of water, kg/m3
ρa = Density of air, kg/m3

PRECAUTIONS & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Never run the apparatus, if power supply is less than 180 volts and above 230 volts.
2. Never switch ‘ON’ mains power supply before ensuring that all the ON/OFF switches given on
the panels are at ‘OFF’ position.
3. Operate the selector switch of temperature indicator gently.
4. Always keep the apparatus free from dust.
5. If electric panel is not showing the input on the mains light, check the main supply.
6. If voltmeter showing the voltage given to heater but ampere meter does not, check the connection
of heater in control panel.

RESULT: Heat transfer coefficient is approx. ………………… Watt/m²°C