EXPERIMENT C2: HEAT CONDUCTION STUDY BENCH

Abstract
The aim of the experiment is to study the factor which could affect linear
conduction heat transfer. The results demonstrate that linear heat transfer
obeys Fourier's law. Different materials (conductivity) and cross-sectional area
have different flux rates. Compared with stainless steel, Brass has better heat
conductivity and paper's is tiny. A large temperature drop occurs on between
contact surfaces of test section and cooler section
Introduction
1. Linear conduction heat transfer
Conduction is a mode of heat transfer, which is the heat transfer by
microscopic collisions of particles within a body.
According to Fourier’s law, the heat flux is proportional to the temperature
gradient and opposite to it in sign. For one-dimensional heat flow,
dq/dA=-k(dT/dx) . which states that:

dT
Q  kA
dx (Eq.1)

where,
Q=heat flux(W)
K=thermal conductivity(W/(m•K)),
A=cross sectional area (m2)
dT/dx=temperature gradient(K/m),
Only in steady state, the temperature gradient could be replaced by
temperature difference over heat flux path
d T T 1−T 2
=
dx L (Eq.2)

For composite systems with multiply layers, it is often convenient to work with
an overall heat transfer coefficient U. Accordingly,

1
 Q  UAΔT (Eq.3)

Where,
ΔT=overall temperature difference(K)
And also,

1 1 x x x (Eq.4)
= = 1+ 2+ 2
U R tot A k 1 k 2 k 2

Where,
x1, x2, x3=thickness of materials (m)
k1, k2, k3=thermal conductivity for materials (W/(m•K))
2. Heat conduction through different cross-sectional area
For the continuity heat flow rate and the same conductor, Q 1=Q2 and k1=k2
and from Eq.1. Following equation can be derived:

ΔT2
A1 x
 2
A2 ΔT1
x1 (Eq.5)

Objective
To demonstrate the concept of Fourier’s law that relates the rate of one-
dimensional heat flow to heat resistance, area and temperature gradient.
Procedure
Before experiment start, the water supply was turned on. Next, the computer
and the power supply were switched on.
Firstly, control knob was turned to 5 W, and A brass conductor installed
sensors was inserted between the heater and the cooler sections. The heat
power was set to 5W and the auto recorder was start. For a moment, when
the reading per 5 min we got was closed, the experiment was paused and the
date was saved. The brass section was taken apart and another, stainless
steel section, was inserted in test area. The date saving was repeated as

2
above. Then the heat was switched off to make sure that temperature of linear
conduction module below than 100 Celsius. After it was cool down, the
stainless was replaced with brass section whose cross section is smaller. For
a sufficient time, the temperature was recorded as above. Next, the brass
section was removed, the thicker one (25mm diameter brass section) was put
in linear module and a little piece of paper was insert between cool section
and test section. The date saving was repeated as above. After that, paper
was taken put and conducting compound was applied on the side of brass
section adjant to cooler section. The date saving was repeated again as
above. After that, the compound applied on interface was wiped off.
In next three rounds, control knob was turned to 10W,15W,20W respectively
and record the temperature as above.
Last, the heater was switched off but the water supply was kept continuing
until the water cooled down.
Results
1. Fourier’s law study for linear conduction of heat along a homogeneous bar
All T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9
data
shown
below
(the
unit of
tempe
rature
is
Kelvin)
XPow

er
5W 307.25 307.15 306.85 302.05 304.85 304.75 301.65 302.95 303.95
10W 323.95 323.25 323.35 318.15 317.55 317.75 303.15 302.95 302.45

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 15W 335.35 333.35 334.45 326.75 326.25 326.65 303.05 302.75 302.35
20W 329.95 328.35 327.25 320.65 319.95 319.75 303.95 303.45 302.65
340
f(x) = − 477.83 x + 345.11
R² = 0.84
330 f(x) = − 385.67 x + 336.61
R² = 0.9
f(x) = − 312.83 x + 330.37
320 R² = 0.86
temperature/k

310

f(x) = − 55.83 x + 307.4

300 R² = 0.51

290

280
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1

5W Distance/m
Linear (5W) 10W Linear (10W)
15W Linear (15W) 20W Linear (20W)

Table.1 Data of Experiment 1

Figure.1 T-x graph of Experiment 1

dT can obtained from the graph slope. Cross section A is known which is
dx

−Q
25× 10−3 2 .
) ≈ 4.9 1× 10 m and from equation 1 we can get k= dT
−4 2
π(
2 A
dx

4
 −5
when Q=5W, then dT/dx=-55.833，k1= −3 2
25 ×10 =182.44
π( ) ×(−55.833)
2
−10
when Q=10W, then dT/dx=-312.83，k2= 25 ×10−3 2
=69.34
π( ) ×(−3 12.83)
2
−15
when Q=15W, then dT/dx= -477.83，k3= 25 ×10−3 2
=68.09
π( ) ×(−477.83)
2
−20
when Q=20W, then dT/dx= -385.67，k4= 25 ×10−3 2
=105.62
π( ) ×(−385.67)
2
W
so the average thermal conductivity kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=106.37
m· K
2.Conduction of heat and overall heat transfer along a composite bar
All data shown below (the unit of temperature is Kelvin)
Power, Q T1 T2 T3 T7 T8 T9 X

5W 314.5 315.05 316.85 301.75 301.9 302.05

5 5
10W 327.1 327.55 329.75 302.35 302.3 302.35
5 5
15W 339.4 342.65 345.25 302.65 302.6 302.15
5 5
20W 335.4 334.05 337.15 302.95 303.2 302.35
5 5

Table.2 Data of Experiment 2

5
 350
f(x) = − 611.03 x + 353.02
340 R² = 0.9
f(x) = − 505.52 x + 344.48
R² = 0.92
330
f(x) = − 395.86 x + 335.04
R² = 0.91
320
f(x) = − 206.03 x + 319
310 R² = 0.88

300

290

280
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1

5W Linear (5W)
Distance/m 10W Linear (10W)
15W Linear (15W) 20W Linear (20W)

Figure.2 T-x graph of Experiment 2

From Eq.3:

Q  UAΔT

From Eq.4:
1 x x x
= + +
U k brass k steel k brass
W
Where A=4.9 1 ×10−4 m2 ; kbrass=106.37 ; L=0.03m
m· K
We can get thermal conductivity of the stainless steel

6
 x x
=
ksteel= 1 − 2 x A ∆T
−
2x
U k brass Q k brass

W W
When Q=5W, ∆ T=T1-T9=12.50K， U=814.66 ， k1=45.22
m· K m· K
W W
When Q=10W, ∆ T=T1-T9=24.80K， U=821.23 ， k2=45.90
m· K m· K
W W
When Q=15W, ∆ T=T1-T9=37.30K， U=819.03 ， k3=45.67
m· K m· K
W W
When Q=20W, ∆ T=T1-T9=33.10K， U=1230.61 ， k4=120.71
m· K m· K
W
So kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=64.37
m· K
From internet, we can get ideal thermal conductivity of brass and common

W W
Steel Kthoreticalbrass=109 , Kthoreticalsteel=50.2
m· K m· K
From eq.4,we can get
1
Uthoretical= x
+
x
+
x =871.03 W
m· K
k thoretical k thoretical k thoretical
brass steel brass

1
Uexperimental= x
+
x
+
x =970.76 W
m· K
k experimental k experimental k experimental
brass steel brass

U theoretical  U experimental 871.03  750.03

Error    13.9% 871.03−970.76
Finally, error= U theoretical 871.03 =| 871.03 |=11.4%

3. The effect of a change in cross-sectional area on the temperature profile

along a thermal conductor
All data T1 T2 T3 T7 T8 T9
shown
below (the
unit of
7
 temperatur
e is
Kelvin)XPo
wer, Q
5 316.05 316.55 318.15 301.85 301.85 301.85
10 325.65 327.25 328.35 302.65 302.65 302.85
15 332.05 333.55 335.85 302.75 302.85 302.35
20 341.95 341.75 345.85 302.55 302.85 302.85

Table.3 Data of Experiment 3

350
f(x) = − 620.17 x + 353.98
340 R² = 0.91

f(x) = − 477.76 x + 342.12

330 R² = 0.9
f(x) = − 373.1 x + 333.56
R² = 0.9
320
f(x) = − 230.17 x + 320.89
310 R² = 0.9

300

290

280

270
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1

5W Linear (5W)Distance/m 10W Linear (10W)

15W Linear (15W) 20W Linear (20W)

Figure.3 T-x graph of Experiment 3

−3 2
Cross section A is known which is π ( 13× 10 ) ≈ 1.34 ×10−4 m2
2
W
when Q=5W, then dT/dx=-230.17，k1=162.11
m· K
W
when Q=10W, then dT/dx=-373.1，k2=200.02
m· K
W
when Q=15W, then dT/dx= -477.76，k3=234.30
m· K

8
 W
when Q=20W, then dT/dx= -620.17，k4=240.67
m· K
W
so the average thermal conductivity kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=209.27
m· K
4. The influence of thermal insulation upon the conduction
All T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9
data
shown
below
(the
unit of
tempe
rature
is
Kelvin
)XPow
er
5W 317.8 317.35 317.4 305.95 311.35 311.45 302.15 302.0 302.05
5 5 5
10W 324.5 323.55 324.1 318.65 318.1 318.3 302.65 302.3 302.25
5 5 5 5 5
15W 340.5 337.25 336.1 325.85 323.7 324.1 302.85 302.7 302.35
5 5 5 5 5
20W 349.8 345.75 345.2 329.65 329.1 329.0 303.05 302.8 302.75
5 5 5 5 5

9
 360

350 f(x) = − 670.17 x + 359.88

R² = 0.91
340 f(x) = − 541 x + 348.79
R² = 0.91
330
f(x) = − 326.83 x + 331.3
temperature/k

320 R² = 0.85
f(x) = − 223.67 x + 320.92
310 R² = 0.79

300

290

280

270
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1

5W Thickness/m
Linear (5W) 10W Linear (10W)
15W Linear (15W) 20W Linear (20W)

Table.4 Data of Experiment 4

Figure.4 T-x graph of Experiment 4

From Eq.3:
Q  UAΔT

From Eq.4: 1 x x x x
= + + paper +
U k brass k steel k paper k brass

W W
Where A=4.9 1 ×10−4 m2 ; kbrass=106.37 ; L=0.03m ; k steel=64.37 ;
m· K m· K

x paper  1mm  0.001m

We can get thermal conductivity of the paper

x paper
Kpaper¿ A ∆ T 2 x x
− −
Q k brass k steel

W
When Q=5W, ∆ T=T1-T9=15.8K， k1=1.92
m· K
W
When Q=5W, ∆ T=T1-T9=22.3K， k1=15.4
m· K

10
 W
When Q=15W, ∆ T=T1-T9=38.2K， k1=4.54
m· K
W
When Q=5W, ∆ T=T1-T9=47.1K， k1=7.93
m· K
W
So kavg=(k1+k2+k3+k4)/4=7.45
m· K
5.The effect of surface contact on thermal conduction between adjacent slabs
of material
All T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9
data
show
n
below
(the
unit of
tempe
rature
is
Kelvin
)X Q
5W 318.55 317.95 318.3 304.3 313.7 313.85 302.3 302.1 302.05
5 5 5 5 5
10W 320.85 320.15 320.7 305.2 315.6 315.85 302.4 302.2 302.15
5 5 5 5 5
15W 344.85 342.05 341.2 331.0 330.2 330.75 303.1 302.8 302.45
5 5 5 5 5
20W 343.05 342.25 340.9 329.2 327.0 327.05 303.9 303.1 302.45
5 5 5 5 5

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 350
f(x)
f(x) =
=−− 606.17
593.17 xx +
+ 355.71
354.01
R² = 0.87
R² = 0.91
340

330
temperature/k

320 f(x) = − 257.5 x + 324.58

f(x)
R² ==0.69
− 226.5 x + 321.7
R² = 0.69
310

300

290

280
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1

5W Thickness/m
Linear (5W) 10W Linear (10W)
15W Linear (15W) 20W Linear (20W)

Table.5 Data of Experiment 5

Figure.5 T-x graph of Experiment 5
Sharp temperature drop occurred between the contact surfaces of three
sections. But compared with contact surface of heater section and test
section, the temperature drop in contact surface where the conducting
compound was applied is sharper.
Discussion
W
From experiment 1,the thermal conductivity of brass is 106.37 . From wiki
m· K

W
we get, the theoretical value is 109 .. The error equal 2.41%. The
m· K

experiment measured value agree well with theoretical value.

Also, from experiment 2,the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is 64.37

W W
. The error is 28.2% compared with theoretical value 50.2 . And the
m· K m· K

error in overall heat transfer coefficient is 11.4%. The reason cause the error
may be the contact between test section is poor and the contact resistance
could not be neglected. And if we calculate the conductivity as the date from

12
 W
experiment 5, the value is 54.7 which more close to theoretical value.
m· K

That supports what we suppose above that the contact resistance could not
be neglected in experiment 2.
In experiment 3, the slope of trend line was steeper than experiment 1. It is
consistent with the Eq.1. But the thermal conduction we got is far larger than
theoretical value. From the graph, we could see the temperature increase in
heater section. That means the date we got is not under steady state and the
date is null.
W
In experiment 4, the thermal conductivity of paper we gained is 7.45 ,
m· K

which is not conform to theoretical value (0.05 watts). But once consider that
the thickness should be thinned than 1mm, the error is possible.
In experiment 5, temperature drop between the contact surfaces of test and
heater sections is unreasonably sharp. I guess that the linear module didn’t
achieve steady state.
Conclusion
The experiment requires us to explore the effect of material and cross-
sectional area to the heat transfer and the influence of thermal insulation and
conducting compounds on the thermal conduction.
W
The thermal conductivity of brass is 106.37 and stainless steel is 64.37
m· K

W From experiment we could see the contact resistance couldn’t be

.
m· K

ignored most of time In the reality. And Recording the data until the steady
state is achieved are necessary.
Reference
1.FOURIER'S LAW, available from:
http://www.thermopedia.com/content/781/
2. Thermal conductivity of paper
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=zh-
13
CN&sl=en&u=https://sciencing.com/thermal-properties-paper-
6893512.html&prev=search
3. Properties: Stainless Steel - Grade 304 (UNS S30400) - AZoM
https://www.azom.com/properties.aspx?ArticleID=965

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