Assignment Title

Lab Pratical 3-Heat Convection

Programme Group
BST 3B 2

Course Name Lecturer Name

Thermodynamics Ts. Dr. Ong Huei Ruey

Course Code Submission Date

BTHM3013 20/12/21

No Name(s) IC No. / Student ID No. Signature

Muhammad Amir Shariffudin bin

1 202210857
A.Ramli

2 Muhammad Azwar Bin Madrawi 202210856

3 Imran Khalid Bin Mohd Shahrul 202210850

4 Viroshnnan Jayakumaran 202210858

Lecturer Comments

Marks Awarded Lecturer Signature Date

1.0 Introduction
 A heated surface dissipated heat primarily through a process called convection.
Heat is also dissipated by conduction and radiation, however these effects are not
considered in this experiment. Air in contact with the hot surface is heated by the
surface and rises due to a reduction in density. The heated air is replaced by cooler air
which is in turn heated by the surface and rises. This process is called free convection.
Free convection occurs when the fluid motion is caused by buoyant forces
generated by density variations caused by temperature differences in the fluid. When
forced convection is used instead of free convection, the heat transfer coefficient is
greater. Inertia effects are taken into account in forced convection, whereas buoyancy
effects are taken into account in free convection.
2.0 Lab Objectives
1. To demonstrate the relationship between power input and surface in free
convection.
2. To assess the proportional relevance of natural and forced convection when
combined.
3.0 Procedures
1. Switch on the primary switch the instrument.
2. Make sure the fan is turned off.
3. Open the toggle clamps if the flat plate is not in place. Close the toggle clamps and
replace the flat plate.
4. Turn the main switch on.
5. Set potentiometer to 100% and measured the surface temperature
6. Set power to 100W and note down temperature change for the first 10 seconds and
every 5 seconds after that for 65 seconds.

4.0 Precautions
1. Do not touch the heat plate or air duct when conducting the experiment.
2. Do not touch the fan when conducting the experiment.
3. Ensure the heat plate is cooled down before remove away from the air duct.
4. Be careful when using the handheld digital anemometer. Keep it away once
the air velocity is measured.
5. Be careful when connecting the heat socket to the power source.
6. Do not attempt to change the setting of the digital power meter.
7. Ensure the fan is switched off when conducting the free convection
experiment.

5.0 Calculations
i. Calculate the film temperature. Then, extract out all the relevant information.

ii. Calculate the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient, Rayleigh Number,

Nusselt Number using the correct equation.

iii. Calculate the coefficient of convection heat transfer and the heat loss by
convection. (q=h x A (ΔT))
6.0 Discussions
i. Graph of temperature against time.

ii. Three examples where heat transfer by natural convection occurs?

a. Forced convection occurs when a fan, pump, or suction device is
employed to aid convection. Air conditioning, central heating, a fluid-
filled car radiator, and a convection oven are all examples of this.
b. Frozen food thaws more quickly under cold running water than if it is
placed in water. This is because the action of the running water transfers
heat into the food faster than if the frozen item was placed in still water.
c. When water boils, the heat passes from the burner into the pot, heating
the water at the bottom. This hot water rises and cooler water moves
down to replace it, causing a circular motion.