Heat transfer: Free and forced convection

Contents
1 Introduction.........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Dimensional analysis...................................................................................................................2
1.1.1 Dimensionless numbers.......................................................................................................3
2 Objectives............................................................................................................................................4
3 Methods and materials.........................................................................................................................4
4 Experiment procedure and results........................................................................................................5
4.1 (A). Power, surface temperature and free convection..................................................................5
4.1.1 Discussion and analysis.......................................................................................................6
4.2 (B). Power, surface temperature and forced convection...............................................................6
4.2.1 Discussion and analysis.......................................................................................................7
4.3 (C). Heat distribution on a fin......................................................................................................7
4.3.1 Discussion and analysis.......................................................................................................8
5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................8
6 References.........................................................................................................................................10
7 Appendices........................................................................................................................................11

List of tables
Table 1: Results of Experiment A.................................................................................................................5
Table 2: Results of Experiment B.................................................................................................................6
Table 3: Results of Experiment C.................................................................................................................7

List of figures

Figure 1: HT19 schematic diagram..............................................................................................................5

Figure 2: Graph of power against surface temperature..............................................................................6
Figure 3: Graphs of velocity against surface temperature...........................................................................7
Figure 4: graphs of temperature against distance.......................................................................................8
Figure 5: Typical graph of power against surface temperature for finned exchanger.................................11
Figure 6: Typical graph of velocity against surface temperature for the finned exchanger........................11
1 Introduction
Heat transfer theory seeks to predict the energy transfer that occurs between material bodies due to their
difference in temperature. In this case the energy being transferred is heat. The three modes of heat
transfer between bodies include conduction, convection and radiation. Convection involves the transfer of
heat by motion or mixing of fluid. The study of heat transfer due to convection comprise of determining
the rate of heat transfer between fluids and solids boundaries. The resistance to heat transfer between
solid and fluid at the interface is mainly a thin boundary layer (Griskey, 2007). Heat transfer at the thin
stagnant boundary layer is by conduction rather than by convection. Heat transfer at the boundary layer is
given by the equation

dt
Q=− KA Equation (1)
dy
Where K is thermal conductivity of the object

The heat transfer per unit surface through convection was first described by the newton’s law of cooling.
The heat transfer between the fluid and the wall can be calculated by utilizing the heat transfer
coefficient, h by a relation of the form given below (Smith, 2006). The convective heat transfer
coefficient varies with respect to type of media, gas or liquid, properties of flow i.e. velocity, viscosity
and other temperature and flow dependent properties.

Q=−hA(t s−t w ) Equation (2)

Where h is convective heat transfer coefficient units Wm2K-1

A is the area of the object

ts is temperature at the surface

tw is temperature at the wall

Before determining the heat transfer rate, first we need to know the velocity field structure and its effects
on the temperature field and hence the heat transfer rates.

Convection is termed as natural when the motion and the mixing of the fluid involved is caused by the
difference in their densities which may result from temperature differences within the fluid. The density
of the fluid near the hot surface is less than that of the colder fluid away from the heated surface and
gravity creates a buoyant force which lifts the heated fluid upwards (Saha, et al, 2011).

1.1 Dimensional analysis

Dimensional analysis is a mathematical method involving the study of dimensions and utilizing them in
solving engineering problems. This field of fluid flow problem utilizes dimensional analysis to solve
various issues from fluid resistance as well as heat flow.in dimensional analysis the various quantities
used in fluid phenomenon can be expressed in terms of fundamental quantities which include mass (M),
time (T), length (L), temperature (T).
1.1.1 Dimensionless numbers

1.1.1.1 Nusselt Number

Nusselt Number (Nu) is defined as the ratio of convection heat transfer rate to the conduction heat
transfer rate across the same fluid layer.

hA ∆ T
Nu=
∆T Equation (3)
KA
L
hL
Nu= Equation (4)
K
Where L is length in meters (M)

The Nusselt number is a convenient measure of convective heat transfer coefficient such that for a given
Nusselt number the convective heat transfer coefficient is directly proportional to thermal conductivity
and inversely proportional to the length of the object.

1.1.1.2 Reynolds number (Re)

Reynolds number is the ratio of inertia forces to viscous forces. Where inertia forces are the forces that
tend to resist a change in velocity of an object and the viscous forces are the force between a body and a
fluid moving past it (Rohsenow, et al, 1985).
2 2
ρv L Equation (5)
ℜ=
μvL
uL
ℜ= Equation (6)
γ
The Reynolds number where the flow becomes turbulent is called critical Reynolds number and is 5x10 5
for flow over a flat plate.

1.1.1.3 Prandtl number (Pr)

It is a parameter that provides the measure of the relative effectiveness of the momentum and energy
transport by diffusion (Griskey, 2007). It is defined as the ratio of the momentum diffusivity to the
thermal diffusivity. Given by

μC p
Pr= Equation (7)
K
1.1.1.4 Grashof number (Gr)
It is defined as the ratio of product of inertia force and buoyancy force to the square of viscous force.
2 2 3
ρ v L × ρβg ∆ T L
Gr= 2
Equation (8)
(μul)
 3
g× β×L ×∆T
Gr= 2
Equation (9)
γ
Where, γ is kinetic viscosity, m2/s

β is coefficient of expansion

∆ T is temperature difference

The performance of heat transfer rate can be correlated using the Nusselt, Prandtl and Reynolds number.

2 Objectives
Main objective of the experiment is to determine the rate of heat transfer at different conditions

Other objectives include;

 Observe the different behavior of a system under free and forced convection
 Observe how heat is distributed in a fin and how it varies over distance
 Draw graphs to visualize the relationship between:
 Power and temperature
 Power and temperature (free convection)
 Velocity and temperature (forced convection)
 Rise in temperature due to heat generation
 Rise in temperature due to convection
 Distance and temperature
 Relate the experiments to the theory learned in class

3 Methods and materials

Most industrial heaters and equipment utilize the basis of heat transfer. The Armfield apparatus are used
for the prediction and measurement of heat transfer coefficients for this equipment. It studies the
temperature profiles and the heat flux in the air duct of the flats or the extended transfer surfaces. The
vertical duct of the apparatus is to facilitate measurement of both temperature and velocity using sensors
mounted on the walls of the duct (Saha, et al, 2011). There is a fan located at the base of the duct to
provide the air stream for forced convection experiments.

The Armfield apparatus will be used to provide various modes of heat transfer characteristics such as free
convection, forced convection and heat distribution. HT19 is used together with the HT10XC which
provides provide temperature and power control. The apparatus offers a temperature resolution of 0.1 ℃
measurement is aided by thermocouple with digital read out. HT10XC provides a measurement facilities
and electrical supplies for investigation and comparison of the different heat transfer characteristics. The
power control circuit provides a continuously variable electrical output of 0-210 Watts. The criterion for
the temperature measurement taking was after a five seconds of stabilization. This way the system is
assumed to have achieved the steady state (Saha, et al, 2011).
Figure 1: HT19 schematic diagram

4 Experiment procedure and results

4.1 (A). Power, surface temperature and free convection
A finned heater is placed into the test duct and its power set 20 Watts. The temperature is then taken after
the reading achieves a steady state condition. Temperature below, above and of the heated plate is
recorded down as T1, T2, and T3 respectively. The procedure is repeated for 40, 60 and 80 watts. The
results are tabulated as follows.

Table 1: Results of Experiment A

Power Current Voltage T1 T3 T3-T1 T2 T2-T1
20 2.63 7.6 24.1 36.2 12.1 25.2 1.1
40 3.77 10.6 25.5 54.8 29.3 30.2 4.7
60 4.54 13.2 27.9 68.4 40.5 39.3 11.4
80 5.19 15.4 23.2 100.0 76.8 43.0 19.8

Power =voltage x current (W = V x A)

energy
Power =
time
 Graph of power Graph of power
against T2-T1 against T3-T1
90 90
80 80
70 70
60 60
50 50
power

Power
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
(T2-T1) °C (T3-T1) °C

Figure 2: Graph of power against surface temperature

4.1.1 Discussion and analysis

The graph of power against temperature is linear representing a gradual increase in temperature with
increase in power. It can be said that power is directly proportional to temperature change which is
directly proportional to heat transfer rate. T1 provides the datum, a point of reference. Power affects free
convection since increase in power leads to increase in heating energy. Air in contact with the heated
surface rises since its density is reduced (Rohsenow, et al, 1985). The cooler air is then heated and rises
and the process goes on and on called forced convection. Increasing power increases heat speeding up the
rate of convection.

4.2 (B). Power, surface temperature and forced convection

The finned heater is placed in the test duct and its power set to 50 Watts. The voltage at this point is read
and recorded. Voltage is then increased accordingly until temperature T3 reaches 95 ℃ and this voltage is
recorded. In the third step, the voltage is set such that power reads 50W. Ample time is allowed for the
reading to achieve steady state and then record T1, T2, and T3. The speed of the fan is set to 1m/s and
allowed some time to reach steady state conditions. The speed is gradually increased while the
temperature readings T1, T2, and T3 are taken and tabulated.

Table 2: Results of Experiment B

Velocity power T1 T3 T3-T1 T2 T2-T1
0 m/s 50 31.1 100.0 68.9 47.0 15.9
1 m/s 50 29.3 56.4 27.1 34.9 5.6
2 m/s 50 30.4 52.0 21.6 34.0 12.6
5 m/s 50 29.5 41.7 12.2 30.7 1.2
Voltage = 12.1

Current = 4.13
 Graph of Velocity Graph of Velocity
against (T3-T1) against (T2-T1)
6 6
5 5

velocity (m/s)
velocity (m/s)

4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
(T3-T1) °C (T2-T1) °C

Figure 3: Graphs of velocity against surface temperature

4.2.1 Discussion and analysis

Temperature T2 is the fanned air output it demonstrates the result of forced convection. A lot of heat has
been lost compared to other temperatures T1 and T3.The air blown by the fan increased heat transfer rate.
Free convection is demonstrated at the start of the experiment when the fan speed was Zero (0 m/s).
Increase in power will increase the amount of heat energy generated to the plate. There will be increase in
temperature and therefore the temperature change between T2 and T1 will be bigger.

In free convection heat transfer rate from the surface is limited by the small movement of air generated by
the heat. More heat is transferred if the velocity of the air over the heated plate is increased. This process
of increasing the movement of air is referred to as forced convection (Smith, 2006). Heated surfaces
experiencing forced convection tend to have lower surface temperature compared to same surfaces
experiencing free convection under the same power.

4.3 (C). Heat distribution on a fin

We utilized the setup of experiment B. the temperature at the back pate is noted (T3) and along the fin
(T4, T5, T6). The procedure is repeated at speeds 0 m/s, 1 m/s, 2 m/s, and 5 m/s. The results are tabulated.

Table 3: Results of Experiment C

Velocity Power T3 T4 T5 T6
0 m/s 50 100 99.8 98.2 95.9
1 m/s 50 56.4 51.9 48.3 43.1
2 m/s 50 52.0 48.2 44.8 40.4
5 m/s 50 41.7 48.6 35.9 33.5
Distance (mm) 0 10 36 62
 Graph of surface temperature at different ve-
locities against distance
120

100

80
0 m/s
Temperature (°C)

1 m/s
60 2 m/s
5 m/s

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Distance

Figure 4: graphs of temperature against distance

4.3.1 Discussion and analysis

A heater is said to be 100% efficient if the temperature along the surface of the fin remain the same. In
our case the temperature on the surface of the fin changed with distance. The temperature decreased with
increase in distance. Therefore the gradient of the slope is negative. There is a much difference in
temperature difference between the free and convection. The slope decreases with increase in speed of the
fan. As the speed of the fan increases, the efficiency of the heater increases. Increase in speed of the fan
increases the movement of the air around the surface dissipating heat which in turn increases the rate of
heat transfer by convection (Griskey, 2007). Large surface area increases the amount of area exposed to
dissipate heat therefore increased surface area will increase the rate of heat transfer through convection.

5 Conclusion
The experiment was a success since we were able to successfully correlate the results of our experiment
to the theoretical background obtained in class. By utilizing the Armfield apparatus that allow from
variation of power input and measurement of velocity and temperature at different point, we were able to
collect the required data. Using this data, data graphs were plotted to facilitate the comparison of the
result. Through the graphs we derived various relationships. We discovered that increase in power
increased the heating energy, increasing the temperature of the surfaces resulting to high convective heat
transfer. In free convection (0 m/s) the rate of heat transfer was found to lower than when there is an air
flow. Free convection involves movement of air due to change in density. When air around the heated
plate is heated it attains lower density where it moves up allowing the cooler air to be heated until it is
hotter and the process continues. The heat dissipation increased with increase in velocity of the fan.
Velocity increases the movement of air above the heated plate (forced convection) speeding up the rate of
heat transfer. Both forced and free convection are affected by the distance of duct. Distance of the duct
increases the surface area of the convective surface. Therefore, distance increases the rate of heat
dissipation through convection.
6 References
H. Smith, “combined heat and mass transfer effect in free convection” electricity research laboratories,
Leather head, Surrey, February 2006.

R. G., Griskey, "Free and Forced Convective Heat Transfer." Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations:
A Combined Approach: 127-156. (2007)

Rohsenow, Warren M., James P. Hartnett, and Ejup N. Ganic. "Handbook of heat transfer fundamentals."
New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1985, 1440 p. No individual items are abstracted in this
volume. (1985).

Saha, Suvash C., and Mohammad Masud Kamal Khan. "A review of natural convection and heat transfer
in attic-shaped space." Energy and Buildings 43.10 (2011): 2564-2571.
7 Appendices

Figure 5: Typical graph of power against surface temperature for finned exchanger

Figure 6: Typical graph of velocity against surface temperature for the finned exchanger