Lab 4: Forced Convection

Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in

Mechanical Engineering

Lab Report
Jason Samuel

Supervisor: Camila D’Bastiani

April 26th, 2024

Mechanical Engineering
School of Mechanical Engineering
TU Dublin, City Campus, Bolton St

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Abstract
The goal of this lab experiment is to determine convective coefficients under controlled settings
while examining forced convection heat transfer. A fundamental phenomenon in engineering,
forced convection is defined as the intentional movement of a fluid across a solid surface.
Examples of these applications include heat exchangers, refrigeration systems, and aerospace
propulsion. Convective coefficients are computed through the measurement of temperature
distributions in a fluid medium that is subjected to forced convection. The convective heat
transfer process is characterized by the systematic variation of parameters like fluid velocity
and flow rate.
Validating theoretical models and correlations for forced convection heat transport is the
experiment's primary goal. To evaluate the precision and suitability of current models, the
convective coefficients that are derived are compared with theoretical data.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Nomenclature
𝑡 = thickness (mm)
𝐹𝑂𝑆 𝑜𝑟 𝑠 = Factor of Safety
𝑄 = Heat loss (J)
𝑄̇ = rate of heat loss (W)
𝑚̇ 𝑜𝑟 𝑆 = mass flow rate (Kg/s)
𝛥ℎ = change in enthalpy (kJ/Kg)
ℎ = enthalpy (kJ/Kg)
𝑐 = heat capacity (J/Kg.K)
𝑚 = mass (Kg)
𝑊
R = Thermal resistance (𝑚2 ⋅𝐾)

ρ = density (Kg/m3)
A = Cross sectional area (m2)
V = velocity (m/s)
P = pressure (Pa)
𝛥𝑥 = change in length (m)
𝑘 = Thermal conductivity (W/m.k)
h = thermal conductivity for pipes (W/m.k)
𝑉̅ = specific volume (m3/Kg)
D = diameter (m)
𝛥𝑇 = change in temperature (K)
U = Overall heat transfer coefficient ( W/m2K)
L = length (m)
Nu = Nusselts number
Ra = Raleigh Number
h = convection coefficient (W/m2K)
g = gravity (m/s2)
β = Volumetric thermal expansion coefficient ( K-1)
Pr = Prandtl Number
ν = kinematic viscosity (m2/s)
ε = emissivity
V and I = Volts and Amps ( V and I)

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Subscripts used
i = inner
o = outer
p = specific
f = fluid
g = gas
c = cold
H = hot

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

Aims ........................................................................................................................................... 2

Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 2

Theoretical Background ............................................................................................................. 3

Apparatus ................................................................................................................................... 4

Procedure ................................................................................................................................... 6

Results ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Sample Calculations................................................................................................................... 8

Discussions .............................................................................................................................. 11

Conclusions .............................................................................................................................. 12

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Introduction
The movement of heat through a fluid medium caused by an external flow or mechanical means
is known as forced convection, and it is an important phenomenon in engineering applications
such as heat exchangers and cooling systems. It is crucial to comprehend and measure the
forced convection heat transfer coefficients to maximize the efficiency and performance of
different thermal systems.

The main goals in this lab experiment are to study forced convection heat transfer and find the
associated convection coefficients. Forced convection is a technique used to increase heat
transfer rates by purposefully moving a fluid past a solid surface, in contrast to natural
convection, which depends on buoyant forces. Applications including air conditioning,
refrigeration, and aerospace propulsion frequently experience this behaviour.

Convection coefficients are determined by monitoring temperature distributions in a fluid

medium that is exposed to forced convection. goal is to evaluate theoretical models explaining
forced convection and define the convective heat transfer process by varying factors including
fluid velocity, flow rate, and surface properties.

The experimental setup, technique, and analysis procedures used to calculate convection
coefficients under forced convection circumstances are presented in this study. By means of
this study, the aim is to augment our comprehension of heat transfer mechanisms in fluid
systems exposed to external flow, so aiding in the creation of more dependable and effective
thermal management solutions across a range of engineering specialties.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Aims
Determine the heat transfer coefficient in a free convection flow surrounding a cylinder.
Recognize the relationship between Rayleigh, Reynolds, and Nu numbers. Compare with the
usual correlation seen in heat transfer textbooks.
To evaluate the experimental accuracy and to compare the calculated heat transfer coefficients
with theoretical values.

Objectives
• Record the required data in a controlled and accurate way.
• Conduct calculations with the gathered data.
• Review the data and draw conclusions.
• Suggest where errors could be mitigated and future improvements for the experiment.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Theoretical Background
Convection is a process by which heat is transferred from a solid surface to the surrounding
fluid or gasses. Conduction is the heat transfer mechanism that occurs when a solid and a
stagnant fluid come into contact; convection and conduction are quite comparable in this
regard. Convection is present and conduction is eliminated when bulk fluid motion is added.
Natural convection will be the main topic of this lab. Temperature gradient-induced buoyant
forces, which result in density variations, are what drive natural convection.
The Fourier Law of Heat Conduction, which Newton introduced in the eighteenth century, is
comparable to the formula for convection.

Forced convention is when a fluid is forced over a surface through an external source. This
greatly increases the rate of heat convection which can be used in cooling systems in different
scenarios.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Apparatus
Here is a diagram of the apparatus used. The apparatus used is called the Armfield combined
convection and radiation. The apparatus allows a cylinder to be heated to a range of
temperatures. These temperatures are recorded using thermocouples placed on the hot surface
and placed in the tube. A fan is placed at the bottom to induce forced convection.

T10
Heated
zone

T9

Throttle
Figure 1 Picture of Apparatus
Plate

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 C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Here is the control panel and anemometer shown below:

Power
Dial

Temperature
dial

Anemometer

Figure 2 Control Panel and Anenometer

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Procedure
1. Turn on the heat transfer unit and connect the instruments to it. Ensure the
thermocouples are in the right channel.
2. Wait for the apparatus to reach steady state.
3. Record the values of T10, T9, Voltage and current.
4. Repeat the above steps and vary the air velocity.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Results
The results gathered in the experiment are shown below:
Set volts (V) amp (A) air vel (m/s) t9 (°C) t9 (K) t10 (°C) t10 (K)
1 20 3.41 0.5 29.4 302.55 451 724.15
2 20 3.42 1 30 303.15 417 690.15
3 20 3.44 2 28.9 302.05 362 635.15
4 20 3.45 3 27.3 300.45 321 594.15
5 20 3.46 4 25.6 298.75 290 563.15
6 20 3.47 5 24.3 297.45 265 538.15
7 20 3.48 6 23.9 297.05 245 518.15
Table 1 Data Collected from the experiments

The following results were gathered by completing the necessary calculations:

Set Qin (W) Qrad (W) hr (W/m2k) Qconv (W) hc (W/m2k) Tfilm (K) Ve (m/s) Kin v (m2/s)
3.961948E-
1 68.2 33.243466 35.8556653 34.9565338 37.70334205 513.35 0.61 05
3.729432E-
2 68.4 27.235096 32.0014776 41.164904 48.36912485 496.65 1.22 05
3.222288E-
3 68.8 19.254651 26.2853105 49.5453488 67.63637831 468.6 2.44 05
2.870016E-
4 69 14.522664 22.4850794 54.4773362 84.34590533 447.3 3.66 05
2.773224E-
5 69.2 11.547601 19.8601444 57.6523991 99.15349361 430.95 4.88 05
2.695376E-
6 69.4 9.4818135 17.912962 59.9181865 113.1969323 417.8 6.1 05
2.634992E-
7 69.6 8.0169479 16.4881681 61.5830521 126.6556458 407.6 7.32 05
Table 2 Part 2 of Calculations

Re pr Nu1 K (W/mK) ϧ1 (W/m2K) Nu2 ϧ2(W/m2K)

154.0 0.68 6.27955 0.04123974 25.896703 6.26605 25.8410252
327.1 0.680201 8.922598 0.0401582 35.8315731 9.035215 36.2838262
757.2 0.681884 13.20413 0.0383013 50.5735782 13.70905 52.5074595
1275.3 0.683324 16.84629 0.0368853 62.1380916 17.84547 65.8235992
1759.7 0.685286 19.59223 0.035767 70.0755065 21.05581 75.3102638
2263.1 0.686864 22.04649 0.0348675 76.8706282 23.98912 83.6441261
2778.0 0.688088 24.27063 0.0341698 82.9323528 26.69866 91.2289008
Table 3 Part 2 of calculations

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Sample Calculations
The following calculations were conducted for set 2.
Step 1:
𝑄𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉 × 𝐼
= 20 × 3.42
= 68.4 𝑊
Step 2:
𝑄𝑅𝑎𝑑 = 𝜀𝜎𝐴(𝑇𝑠4 − 𝑇∞4 )
= 1 × 5.67 × 10−8 × 0.0022 × (690.154 − 303.154 )
= 27.23𝑊

Step 3:
̇ 𝐴𝑠 ℎ𝑟 (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇∞ )
𝑄𝑟𝑎𝑑=
Rearrange for hr and solve:
𝑄𝑅𝑎𝑑
= ℎ𝑟
𝐴 × (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇∞ )
ℎ𝑟 = 32 𝑊/𝑚𝐾
Step 4:
̇ 𝑄𝑖𝑛−
𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣= ̇ 𝑄𝑟𝑎𝑑
̇
= 68.4 − 27.23
= 41.16 𝑊
Step 5:
𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣
= ℎ𝑐
𝐴 × (𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇∞ )
41.16
=
0.0022 × (690.15 − 303.15)
𝑊
= 48.37
𝑚𝑘
Step 6:
(𝑇𝑠 + 𝑇∞ )
𝑇𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑚 =
2
690.15 + 303.15
=
2
= 496.65 𝐾

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Step 7:
𝑉𝐸 = 1.22 × 𝑉𝑎𝑖𝑟
= 1 × 1.22
𝑚
= 1.22
𝑠
Step 8:
𝐷𝑉𝑒
𝑅𝑒 =
𝑣
0.01 × 1.22
=
3.73 × 10−5
= 327.1
Step 10:
Find the coefficients from the following table:

Table 4 C and M coefficients

As the Reynolds number is in the 40-4000 range, the values were read at that point.
C = 0.683
M = 0.466

Step 11:
The Prandtl number was read at the film temperature. Pr = 0.68

Step 12:
1
𝑁𝑢𝐷 = 𝑐𝑅𝑒𝐷𝑚 𝑃𝑟 3
1
= 0.683 × 3270.466 × 0.683
= 8.92

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Step 13:
K at tfilm = 0.04 W/mk
ℎ̅𝐷
𝑁𝑢𝐷 =
𝑘
𝑁𝑢𝐷 𝑘
ℎ̅ =
𝐷
8.92 × 0.04
=
0.01
= 35.83 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾
Step 14:
1
0.62 × 𝑅𝑒𝐷0.5 × 𝑃𝑟 3 𝑅𝑒𝐷 5 0.8
𝑁𝑢𝐷 = (0.3 + 2 1 ) × [1 + ( )8 ]
0.4 3 4 282000
[1 + ( 𝑃𝑟 ) ]

= 9.03
Step 15:
ℎ̅𝐷
𝑁𝑢𝐷 =
𝑘
𝑁𝑢𝐷 𝑘
ℎ̅ =
𝐷
9.03 × 0.04
0.01
= 36.28 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Discussions
The first thing that should be noted in this experiment is that the convective heat transfer
coefficients were very similar to the theoretical values. The small errors could be caused by the
experiment being conducted while the current and voltage were not stable.

The convective coefficient also increased as the velocity increased. This is to be expected as
there is more air flowing over the hot plate. From the graph below, the different convective
coefficients gather exhibit the same trend.

Effective velocity vs Conv. coefficient

140

120
Conv. coeff (w/m2K)

100

80
Ve vs hc
60
Ve vs Hc1
40
Ve vs hc2
20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Ve (m/s)

Graph 1 Effective velocity vs Conv. Coefficient

The air velocity also drastically cooled down the heated surface as the experiment progressed,
with set 7 seeing a 200K decrease in comparison to set 1.

The values of hc1 and hc2 were also quite close to each other, this validates that the correlations
being used effectively model the experiment and are suitable to be used in the future. They
were although not consistent with experimental data which can be misleading.

The cause of this error could be placed to many things, the experiment not being at steady state
being the most prominent. The surface roughness of the cylinder was also not accounted, and
this factor could influence the Reynolds number. As the air flows through the pipe, the small
deviations in the surface could cause the flow to tend towards turbulent. This may be a small
error but is something that could be incorporated into future iterations.

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C19436526 Lab 4 MECH4008

Conclusions
In conclusion, the effects of forced convection were analysed. The effect of forced convection
greatly improves the rate of heat transfer through convection.

The higher the velocity the higher the coefficient of heat transfer through convection. This
allows engineers to use this quality to improve the design of heat transfer systems.

The calculated coefficients were similar to that of the experimental one, validating the
experimental method and allowing future iterations to be improved upon.

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