TD1005 EXPERIMENT 7

WARNINGS:
• If the Equipment is not used as described in these instructions, its protective parts may not
work correctly.

• Never look directly into the fan when it turns. Disconnect the fan when it is not in use.

• Wait for heat transfer surfaces to cool down to ambient temperature before handling them.

• The Finned Heat Exchanger has sharp corners to maximize heat transfer area. Handle with
care.

Read prior to being Experiment:

• Local ambient temperature, direct sunlight and air flows will affect the results
• If using a laptop style computer, keep it away from the inlet of the duct.
The computer’s cooling fan may blow warm air towards the duct and
affect the results.
• For most experiments, the results will be more accurate if time is taken for the
temperatures to stabilize before taking readings. This is when the experiment
reaches ‘thermal equilibrium’ and can take several minutes in forced convection
tests or up to an hour for free convection tests.
• While waiting for equilibrium, check the inlet (ambient) temperature to
ensure that any increasing or decreasing trends are not simply caused by
changes in ambient conditions.
• During the tests, try to keep the surface temperatures of the surfaces below
90°C, or the thermal switches may operate, switching off the heater power
temporarily and affecting the results.
• The Anemometer is very sensitive and works using an element at the tip which
heats up and cools down. Because this is a thermal process, the device reacts
slowly to changes in velocity. Therefore, slow and careful adjustments of fan
speed must be made to reach the air velocity needed.
• Never insert anything into the hole in the anemometer probe tip.
 TD1005 EXPERIMENT 7

Experiment 7: Forced Convection-

Effect of Velocity
Introduction: (Not for Flat Surface)
Earlier experiments show the increased air flow improves effectiveness, particularly on
the extended surfaces. This experiment helps to show this more clearly.
Objective:
• To show how increased air flow improves the effectiveness of heat transfer.
Procedure:
1. Fan should already be fit to the top from Experiment 6. If fan is not
installed refer to Experiment 6 Procedure step 12.
2. Fit the pinned heat surface into duct.
a. Ensure Base Unit electrical supply is disconnected and make
sure the heater control is set to minimum and the heater
switch is set to off.
a. Remove 4 thumbscrews and washers from around back
square hole.
b. Carefully insert the Heat Transfer Surface into the square hole
in the duct. There should be a yellow triangle on the top of heat transfer
surface, and the connectors should be to your right when behind the base
unit.
c. Tighten the fiber washer and thumbscrews to compress the gasket slightly so
that the surface fits flush inside the duct. The ends of the finned and pinned
surfaces will tough the clear window on the opposite side of the duct.

d. Connect the heater and thermocouple cables

(supplied) between the heat transfer surface and the
sockets on the control panel (Surface Thermocouple
cable is connected to T2)
e. Connect Base Unit electrical supply and turn power
to unit on. (Back of unit)
3. Open TD1005 Experiments Excel document and click on the “EX7” tab.
4. Ensure Surface Temperature is connected to (T2) and Inlet Temperature is connected
to (T1).
 TD1005 EXPERIMENT 7

5. Set the fan to give an air velocity of 1 m.s-1.

6. Set the heater power to 40 Watts.
7. Wait for the temperatures to stabilize.
8. Record the surface and inlet temperatures.
9. Repeat for increased air velocities of approximately 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 m.s-1.
10. Repeat for Finned surface.
Results:

1. Fill in temperatures at surface and inlet in excel table provided.

The temperature difference gives a value with respect to ambient, helping
to allow for changes in local conditions.
2. Reference Chart in Excel Document.
3. What does the chart say about temperature and velocity?
4. Which surface has the coolest temperature for any given air velocity?