UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE

HMT LAB
EXPERIMENT 2
MUHAMMAD HAMZA KHAN| 2019-ME-19

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 UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE

Table of Contents
1. Objective 3
2. Introduction 3
2.1 Fourier Law 3
2.2 Effect of change in cross-sectional area 3

3. Theory 4
3.1 Fourier’s Law derivation 4
3.2 Assumptions 4
3.3 Derivation for this experiment 4

4. Apparatus 5

4.1 Transformer 5

4.2 Calibration Unit 5

4.3 Test Unit 5

5. Procedure 6

6. Observations 6

7. Graph 6

7.1 Using Excel 6

7.2 Using MATLAB 7

8. Calculations 7

9. Results 9

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 UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, LAHORE

EXPERIMENT 3
1. Objective:
To investigate effect of change in cross-sectional area on temperature
profile along thermal condition.

2. Introduction:
We will investigate the effect of variable area on one-dimensional conduction in this
experiment. Thermal conductivity of the material will be known. Now, we would like to see how
changes in cross-sectional area affect heat transfer. In this experiment we will use the same
brass test bar. The equation used is;
dT dT dT q
AA ( ) = A B ( ) =A C ( ) =
dx A dx B dx C k

2.1 Fourier Law

The Fourier Law is a rate equation that allows determination of the conduction heat flux
from knowledge of the temperature distribution in a medium. A heat flux or thermal flux
is the amount of heat energy passing through a certain surface. We know that the
conduction of heat takes place when the molecules of matter vibrate. Heat energy is
transferred from a higher temperature area to a lower one. This process abides by
Fourier’s law. Fourier’s law states that the negative gradient of temperature and the time
rate of heat transfer is proportional to the area at right angles of that gradient through
which the heat flows. Fourier’s law is the other name of the law of heat conduction.
Fourier’s law states that heat flux is proportional to thermal gradient:

q = -kA dT/dx
where k is thermal conductivity.

2.2 Effect of change in cross-sectional area

The temperature gradient is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area. In this
experiment, the hot and cold segments will have the same cross-sectional area, which
will differ from that of the sample inserted in between the two segments. The rate of
heat flow in a rod of material is proportional to the cross-sectional area of the rod and
to the temperature difference between the ends and inversely proportional to the
length. An object with a wider area has more surface particles working to conduct
heat. As such, the rate of heat transfer is directly proportional to the surface area
through which the heat is being conducted.

dt
q=kA
dx

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3. Theory
3.1 Fourier’s Law derivation
The derivation of Fourier’s law was explained with the help of an experiment
which explained the Rate of heat transfer through a plane layer is proportional to
the temperature gradient across the layer and heat transfer area. Flow of heat per
unit area is proportional to the temperature difference per unit length i.e.

Fig 3.1 Fourier’s Law Experiment

( Area)(Temperature Difference)
Rate of heat conduction ∝
Thickness

Let T1 and T2 be the temperature difference across a small distance Δx of area A.
k is the conductivity of the material. Therefore, in one dimensional, the following
is the equation used:
kA ∆ T
q=
∆x

When Δx → 0, the following is the equation in a reduced form to a differential

form:
dT
lim q=kA
∆ x →0 dx

3.2 Assumptions
Following are the assumptions for the Fourier law of heat conduction.
i. The thermal conductivity of the material is constant throughout the
material.
ii. There is no internal heat generation that occurs in the body.
iii. The temperature gradient is considered as constant.

3.3 Derivation for this experiment

Since,
dt
q=kA
dx

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Then
q dt
=A
k dx
Or,
dT dT dT
AA ( ) = A B ( ) =A C ( )
dx A dx B dx C

4 Apparatus
The apparatus used is Heat Conduction Unit, which consists of three items.
 transformer equipped with a circuit breaker
 the calibration unit
 the test unit

Fig 3.2 Heat Conduction Unit apparatus

4.1 Transformer
The transformer has two cords which connect it to an AC outlet and to the
second item, the calibration unit.

4.2 Calibration unit

The calibration unit has two basic functions. It delivers power to the heater
element within the test unit and it calibrates and displays the temperatures at
nine locations along the test unit.

4.3 Test unit

The test unit consists of two test geometries: an insulated brass bar which
allows a sample to be placed between the two ends, and an insulated disk. The
test unit is also equipped with a cooling water hose. The purpose of the cooling
water running through the unit at the cold end of the bar is to remove heat that
is produced at the hot end and transferred by conduction to the cold end,
keeping the cold end at a constant temperature.

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5 Procedure
i. Connect the equipment making sure that the calibration unit is switched off before
connecting the transformer to the AC outlet.
ii. Apply a very small amount of thermal conducting paste to make a thin layer on
each side of the test unit surface and spread it uniformly.
iii. Insert the brass sample into the unit and allow cooling water to flow through the
test unit.
iv. Connect all thermocouples in the appropriate order.
v. Switch the calibration unit on and adjust the power and deliver 5 W. Change this
power constantly and note the corresponding values for temperatures.

6 Observations
Distance x
(m) Temperature at Temperature at Temperature at Temperature at
q =5 W q= 10 W q = 15 W q = 20 W
0.01 42 50 76 118
0.02 40 46 72 110
0.03 40 44 68 97
0.07 33 33 34 34
0.08 32 32 33 33
0.09 32 32 32 32

7 Graph
7.1 Using Excel

Temperature variati on against

distance from heater
q=5W q=10W q=15W q=20W
140
120
100
Temperature (c)

80
60
40
20
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
distance x (metres)

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Fig 3.3. Graph of Temperature variation against distance from heater using Excel

7.2 Using MATLAB

Fig 3.4. Graph of Temperature variation against distance from heater using MATLAB

8 Calculations
For q = 5W, T1 = 42 C, T9 = 32 C
W
kA = 102.041 , Since
mK
q dt
=− A
k dx
q
=0.049
k
dt
−A =0.049
dx
Hence
q dt
=−A A =0.049
kA dx

W
kB = 214.822
mK

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q dt
=−A B =0.0 86
kB dx

W
kC = 204.082
mK
q dt
=− AC =0.0 24
kC dx

For q = 10 W, T1 = 50 C, T9 = 32 C
W
kA = 68.027
mK
q dt
=−A A =0.147
kA dx

W
kB = 273.411
mK
q dt
=−A B =0.037
kB dx

W
kC = 408.163
mK
q dt
=− AC =0.0 25
kC dx

For q =15 W, T1 = 76 C, T9 = 32 C

W
kA = 76.531
mK
q dt
=−A A =0.196
kA dx

W
kB = 88.456
mK
q dt
=−A B =0.170
kB dx

W
kC = 306.122
mK
q dt
=− AC =0.049
kC dx

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For q = 20 W, T1 = 118 C, T9 = 32 C

W
kA = 38.873
mK
q dt
=−A A =0.514
kA dx

W
kB = 95.477
mK
q dt
=−A B =0. 209
kB dx

W
kC = 408.163
mK
q dt
=− AC =0. 049
kC dx

9 Results

Sr. No q T1 T2 T3 T5 T7 T8 T9 q/kA q/kB q/kC

(W) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C) (C)
1. 5 40 39 39 33 33 33 33 0.049 0.086 0.024
2. 10 52 49 49 34 33 32 32 0.147 0.037 0.025
3. 15 78 77 77 37 34 33 33 0.196 0.170 0.049
4. 20 91 87 85 37 34 33 33 0.514 0.209 0.049

We calculate the values of q/k and A(dT/dx) and proved that we get equal results both. Varying
the input power will affect the heat transfer coefficient. the temperature gradient is inversely
proportional to the cross-sectional area. When slope decreases, value of k increases and vice
versa.