UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

_________________________________________________________________________

Program : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical (EM220/EM221)

Course : Thermalfluids Lab
Code : MEC 554
Lecturer : IFFA BINTI MOHD ARRIF
Group : EMD5M3A (GROUP 2)
_________________________________________________________________________

MEC 554 - LABORATORY REPORT

TITLE : FORCED AND NATURAL CONVECTION

No NAME STUDENT ID SIGNATURE

1 ISFAHAN BIN JULIAH 2020459442
2 KHAIRUNNISA BINTI SHARIPUDDIN 2020818978
3 MOHAMAD JAZLI NAJIY BIN MOHMAD NASIR 2020601962

LABORATORY SESSION : 26/10/2022 (DATE)

REPORT SUBMISSION : 2/11/2022 (DATE)

*By signing above you attest that you have contributed to this submission and confirm that all work you have
contributed to this submission is your own work. Any suspicion of copying or plagiarism in this work will result in an
investigation of academic misconduct and may result in a “0” on the work, an “F” in the course, or possibly more severe
penalties.
Marking Scheme

No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

No. Content Page

1. LIST OF TABLES 3
2. LIST OF FIGURES 4
3. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 5 - 10
4. 2.0 PROCEDURE 10 - 11
5. 3.0 DATA & RESULT 11 - 25
6. 4.0 DISCUSSION 26 - 31
7. 5.0 CONCLUSION 31 - 33
8. 6.0 REFERENCES 34

2
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page
3.1 Data of Time, Plate Surface Temperature and Temperature Difference 15-16
3.2 Theoretical data for free convection 20-21
3.3 Sample experimental calculation of forced convection at V=1.0m/s 21
3.4 Sample experimental calculation of forced convection at V=2.0m/s 21

3.5 Experimental data for forced convection 23

3.6 Theoretical data for forced convection experiment at V=1.0 m/s 25

3.7 Theoretical data for forced convection experiment at V=2.0 m/s 25

3
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No. Figure Title Page

1.1 Graph of power against surface temperature. 6
1.2 Graph of air velocity against surface temperature 6
2.1 Apparatus Setup 10
3.1 Recorded data for free convection 12-13
3.2 Recorded data for force convection 14
3.3 Graph of Flat Plate Temperature against Time 16
3.4 Graph of Plate Surface Temperature against Time 17

4
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Movement of a fluid in a form of liquid or gas between areas with different temperature by
transferring heat is called convection. Convection currents can be formed when they are a
temperature gradient existed because of when cold air is denser than then warm air. Natural
convection occurred when currents are formed only by temperature-derived density differences
existed in the fluid. When convection currents are caused by an external factor due to pump or
fan this is known as forced convection. The rate of convection can be influenced by how fast
the fluid is moving. The faster the fluid moves the faster the convection rates are. The
temperature differential between a body and its surroundings impacts how much heat is
transferred by convection between them (this determines the amount of heat absorbed or
donated by a given mass of air that encounters the surface). relative motion of the fluid that the
body is in touch with. In order for a solid to lose or gain heat through convection, it must be in
contact with the fluid. This is because convection cannot occur in a vacuum and can only occurs
in liquid and gases. Simultaneous conduction and convection of heat transfer whether by free
or forced convection means will produce the basis of most heat exchangers used in engineering
industry and other related equipment. Heat transfer coefficients measurement and prediction
for these circumstances can be achieved in this experiment by studying and understanding the
temperature profiles and heat flux in the air duct with its respective flat transfer surface.

Free Convection

Convection is the main method of heat dissipation from a heated surface. Radiation and
conduction both contribute to the dissipation of heat, but these effects are not taken into account
in this experiment. Air that comes into touch with the surface of the body is heated by the
surface and rises as a result of a decrease in density. Cooler air replaces the heated air and rises
after being heated by the surface. We refer to this mechanism as free convection. Convective
currents will be stronger, and more beat (power) will be lost as the surface of temperature rises.
A surface must become hotter if more power is applied to it in order to disperse it.

5
 Figure 1.1 Graph of power against surface temperature.

Forced Convection

The tiny air movements caused by this heat limit the rate at which heat may flow from the
surface in free convection. If the air velocity is raised over the heated surface, more heat is
transferred. Forced convection is the name of the procedure that helps the air travel across the
heated surface. For the same power input, a heated surface that is exposed to forced convection
would therefore experience a lower surface temperature than a heated surface that is exposed
to free convection.

Figure 1.2 Graph of air velocity against surface temperature.

6
The heat transfer rate from a heated surface can be calculated, by applying simple overall
energy balance,

Where;
Cp = the specific heat of the fluid [ J / kgK ]
Tm = the mean temperature subscript e and
i stands for exit and inlet ṁ = the mass flow
rate [ kg/s]

Then it can be written as;

Where;
ρ = the density of the fluid [ kg/m3 ] um = the
mean velocity of the fluid [ m/s] Ac is the
cross-sectional area of the flow [ m2 ]

The average heat transfer coefficient of the system, ℎ̅ [W /m2 K ], which is then will be able
to be calculated,

Where;
q = the heat transfer rate A = the
area of the heated surface
∆Tlm = the log-mean temperature difference that can be defined as,

Where;
Ts = the surface temperature
Whether a flow is laminar or turbulent has a significant impact on the properties of heat transfer
in that system. The dimensionless quantities are Rayleigh number (Ra) (for free convection)

7
and Reynolds number (Re) (for forced convection) which are used in order to determine the
flow characteristics of the system. Whether a flow is laminar or turbulent has a significant
impact on the properties of heat transfer in that system. The definitions of Ra and Re together
with the critical values are as follows;

Where; g = the gravitational acceleration

[ m2 /s]
β = the volumetric thermal expansion coefficient (for an ideal gas, β =1/T)
T∞ = the ambient temperature ν = the kinematic viscosity of the fluid [ m2
/s] α = the thermal diffusivity of the fluid [ m2 /s] L = the characteristic
length of the flow.

Using the correlations provided in the literature, the average heat transfer coefficient, denoted
by h, may be computed for a specific geometry. The average value of the Nusselt number (Nu),
a dimensionless number that measures convective heat transfer, can be calculated in the
situation of free convection from a heated vertical surface using the correlation shown below.

Where; k = the fluid's thermal

conductivity For laminar flow, the
correlation coefficients C and n
are given as C = 0.59, n = 1/4,
while for turbulent flow, C = 0.10,
n = 1/3.

8
 The average Nusselt number can
be estimated in the situation of
forced convection from a heated
surface as,

Where;
Pr is the Prandtl number (Pr = ν /α).

The application of implementation from the theory of natural and forced convection can be
seen in the engineering and industry where both use natural convention in enclosed spaces
extensively. Many applications, including cooling of electronic equipment, lubrication
systems, heat exchangers, solar collectors, electric furnaces, solar water desalination, and
engineering melting and freezing processes, can be made using the chamber heating concept.

Engineers perform a fluid flow study to determine the velocity in a heat transfer analysis. The
temperature distribution for both the fluid and solid components in systems like fans or heat
exchangers is specified by the heat transfer results. Systems that run at extremely high
temperatures, such as those used to deliver molten metal or liquefied plastic, are another
application for forced convection. Engineers can then compute the fluid flow velocity required
to generate the correct temperature distribution and protect from system failure. Engineers
conducting forced convection heat transfer analysis need to select the option to add fluid
convection effects and specify the location of the fluid velocity results during setup.

1.1 Objectives

1.1.1 To learn how to measure heat transfer coefficient in case of free and forced
convection.
1.1.2 To observe the heat transfer in forced convection which is higher
compared to free convection.

9
 1.1.3 To study the heat transfer coefficient of forced convection based on the
effects of speed of fluid.

1.1.4 To demonstrate the use of a flat plate to improve the thermal properties of
heat transfer in forced convection.

1.1.5 To compare the heat transfer characteristics of free and forced convection.

2.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Figure 2.1 Apparatus Setup

1. The experiment was setup as figure above. Frame was set up for the experiment. The
size of the air duct used is 13cm x 7.5cm.
2. The heater power control unit was used as the power source to heat up the specimen
used.

3. The heater power control the temperature of the flat plate and the velocity of the air
which is the fan speed. Displayed the available panel on the heater power to show the
magnitude of the desired properties.
10
 4. Anemometers was used and attached to the frame to measure the wind speed and
direction of the air. A digital thermometer was used to measure the initial and final
temperature of the air.
5. A flat plate was embedded between both anemometers on the experiment frame. The
size of the flat plate used is 11cm width and 10cm length.
6. A fan was attached at top of the setup to control the velocity of the air.

7. The heater power control unit was switched on. The heater power was adjusted to the
70W.

8. The temperature of natural convection was recorded for every minute until the
temperature reached constant value.
9. Next, velocity of the air was adjusted to 1 m/s and wait for 5 minutes before record the
inlet and oulet temperature.
10. Both inlet and oulet temperature were recorded every minute up to 5 minutes.

11. Lastly, the air velocity was adjusted to 2 m/s and repeat the step of 11.

12. All the data was recorded and were put into a table and the graph of the experimental
temperature gradient was plotted.

3.0 DATA AND RESULTS

11
12
Figure 3.1 Recorded data for free convection

13
Figure 3.2 Recorded data for force convection

14
Natural Convection
Ambient air temperature (𝑇∞ ) =25°𝐶
Plat Surface Temperature (𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 ) =76.3°𝐶

Heat power (Q) =70 W

Flat plate surface area (A) =0.011 𝑚2

Time, t Plat Surface Temperature

(minute) Temperature,𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 difference, 𝑇ℎ − 𝑇∞
(°𝐶) (°𝐶)

0 39.7 14.7
1 41.7 16.7
2 43.6 18.6
3 45.3 20.3
4 47.0 22.0
5 48.9 23.9
6 50.1 25.1
7 51.5 26.5
8 52.9 27.9
9 54.2 29.2
10 55.5 30.5
11 56.7 31.7
12 57.8 32.8
13 58.9 33.9
14 59.9 34.9
15 60.9 35.9
16 61.8 36.8
17 62.1 37.1
18 63.5 38.5
19 64.4 39.4
20 65.1 40.1
21 65.8 40.8
22 66.5 41.5
23 67.1 42.1
24 67.7 42.7
25 68.3 43.3
26 68.8 43.8
27 69.3 44.3
28 69.8 44.8
29 70.3 45.3
30 70.7 45.7
31 71.1 46.1

15
 32 71.6 46.6
33 72.0 47.0
34 72.4 47.4
35 72.8 47.8
36 73.2 48.2
37 73.6 48.6
38 74.0 49.0
39 74.2 49.2
40 74.3 49.3
41 74.6 49.6
42 74.7 49.7
43 74.9 49.9
44 75.0 50.0
45 75.1 50.1
46 75.3 50.3
47 75.4 50.4
48 75.6 50.6
49 75.7 50.7
50 75.9 50.9
51 76.0 51.0
52 76.1 51.1
53 76.2 51.2
54 76.3 51.3
55 76.3 51.3

Table 3.1 Data of Time, Plate Surface Temperature and Temperature Difference

Natural Convection:
Temperature,Th vs Time,t
80
75
Flat Plate Temperature(°𝐶)

70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
time,t(minutes)

16
 Figure 3.3 Graph of Flat Plate Temperature against Time

Forced Convection:
Plat Surface Temperature,Th vs Time(t)
76.5

76
Plat Surface Temperature (°𝐶)

75.5

75

74.5

74

73.5

73

72.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time (minutes) V= 1.0 m/s

V= 2.0 m/s

Figure 3.4 Graph of Plate Surface Temperature against Time

Sample Experimental Calculation of Natural Convection

Heater power : 70 W
Surface Temperature : 76.3°𝐶
Ambient Temperature : 25°𝐶
Speed of air : 0 m/s

Heated flat plate area

𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑥 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
= 0.11𝑥0.1 𝑚
= 0.011 𝑚2

17
Heat transfer coefficient
𝑞
ℎ̅ =
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎(𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 − 𝑇∞ )
70
=
0.011(349.3 − 298)
= 124.05 𝑊/𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾

Efficiency
𝑞
𝜇=
ℎ
70
𝜇=
124.05
𝜇 = 56.43%

Sample Theoretical Calculation of Natural Convection

Heater power : 70 W
Surface Temperature : 76.3°𝐶
Ambient Temperature : 25°𝐶
Speed of air : 0 m/s

Film temperature
𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 + 𝑇∞
𝑇𝑓 =
2
76.3 + 25
𝑇𝑓 =
2
𝑇𝑓 = 50.65°𝐶

Refer properties table A-15, properties of air at 1 1 atm pressure to determine the kinematic
viscosity, thermal conductivity and Prandlt number for 𝑇𝑓 =50.65°𝐶

Kinematic Viscosity

18
 60 − 50 1.896 − 1.798
=
60 − 50.65 1.896 − 𝑣
𝑣 = 1.80437 × 10−5 𝑚2 /𝑠

Thermal conductivity
60 − 50 0.02808 − 0.02735
=
60 − 50.65 0.02808 − 𝑘
𝑊
𝑘 = 0.0274 ∙𝐾
𝑚
Prandtl number
60 − 50 0.7202 − 0.7228
=
60 − 50.65 0.7202 − 𝑃𝑟
𝑃𝑟 = 0.7178
Volumetric thermal expansion coefficient
1
𝛽=
𝑇
1
=
76.3 + 273
=0.002863
Rayleigh number
𝑅𝑎 = 𝐺𝑟𝑃𝑅

𝑔𝛽(𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 − 𝑇∞ )
𝑅𝑎 = 𝑃𝑟
𝑣2
(9.81)(0.002863)(76.3 − 25)(0.1)3
𝑅𝑎 = (0.7178)
(1.80437 × 10−5 )2
Ra=3.1766 × 106
Nusselt number
̅̅̅̅ = 0.54𝑅𝑎1/4
𝑁𝑢
= 0.54 (3.1766 × 106 )1/4
= 22.797

19
 Theoretical data for free convection experiment
Plate rayleigh Coefficient heat
surface number Nu transfer efficiency
39.7 1293073.826 18.20956579 4.744302061 14.7545412
41.7 1446908.093 18.72854316 4.893375029 14.3050552
43.6 1588604.039 19.17112838 5.022490555 13.9373084
45.3 1711822.773 19.53252819 5.180612451 13.5119159
47 1831796.919 19.86612166 5.27246869 13.2765132
48.9 1962112.622 20.21039226 5.36767808 13.0410205
50.1 2042414.521 20.41407623 5.424224195 12.9050713
51.5 2134184.405 20.63962229 5.487043586 12.7573253
52.9 2223932.379 20.85326942 5.546761134 12.6199774
54.2 2305496.257 21.04189578 5.599669304 12.5007382
55.5 2385229.807 21.22151167 5.653092387 12.3826032
56.7 2457126.815 21.37965303 5.704711437 12.2705593
57.8 2521807.577 21.51898318 5.75064699 12.1725434
58.9 2585336.813 21.65324762 5.795340153 12.0786698
59.9 2642107.483 21.7711505 5.83495136 11.9966724
60.9 2697956.362 21.88529929 5.873642278 11.9176478
61.8 2747443.687 21.98497417 5.907714319 11.8489142
62.1 2763777.759 22.01757778 5.918919382 11.8264831
63.5 2838948.307 22.16578575 5.970243562 11.7248148
64.4 2886366.459 22.25776881 6.002430577 11.6619425
65.1 2922768.541 22.32761659 6.027027512 11.6143488
65.8 2958777.698 22.39607143 6.051149747 11.5680495
66.5 2994374.376 22.46313071 6.07492907 11.5227683
67.1 3024560.786 22.51953088 6.095046149 11.4847367
67.7 3054450.007 22.57496133 6.114924927 11.4474014
68.3 3084044.697 22.6294462 6.134571311 11.4107403
68.8 3108483.853 22.67414469 6.150769883 11.3806891
69.3 3132721.814 22.71821565 6.166859637 11.3509962
69.8 3156760.079 22.76167163 6.182752866 11.3218176
70.3 3180600.135 22.80452487 6.198452295 11.2931417
70.7 3199530.46 22.83838144 6.210943509 11.2704293
71.1 3218335.624 22.87186574 6.223343179 11.2479736
71.6 3241667.203 22.91320637 6.238716177 11.2202572
72 3260193.468 22.94587393 6.250914975 11.1983606
72.4 3278596.973 22.97818746 6.263026687 11.1767047
72.8 3296878.447 23.01015232 6.27505262 11.1552849
73.2 3315038.613 23.04177374 6.286994048 11.1340968
73.6 3333078.192 23.07305681 6.298852216 11.1131358
74 3350997.898 23.10400653 6.310628344 11.0923978
74.2 3359913.021 23.11935792 6.316486016 11.0821111
74.3 3357546.002 23.11528502 6.3162054 11.0826035
74.6 3377654.247 23.14981675 6.328141308 11.0616999
74.7 3382071.072 23.15738107 6.331042725 11.0566305

20
 74.9 3390882.621 23.17244974 6.336830797 11.0465313
75 3395277.367 23.17995425 6.339717487 11.0415015
75.1 3399626.969 23.1873745 6.342604857 11.036475
75.3 3408303.974 23.20215587 6.348330267 11.0265215
75.4 3412631.399 23.20951714 6.351191528 11.0215539
75.6 3421264.148 23.22418121 6.356899656 11.0116572
75.7 3425569.495 23.23148414 6.359746556 11.0067279
75.9 3434158.19 23.24603214 6.365426112 10.9969072
76 3438441.559 23.25327735 6.368258802 10.9920156
76.1 3442717.625 23.26050346 6.371086789 10.9871365
76.2 3446986.398 23.26771053 6.373910088 10.9822698
76.3 3451247.888 23.27489864 6.376728717 10.9774154
76.3 3451247.888 23.27489864 6.376728717 10.9774154
Table 3.2 Theoretical data for free convection

Sample Experimental Calculation of Forced Convection

Forced Convection
Ambient air temperature (𝑇∞ ) =25°𝐶
Heat Power(Q) =70 W
Flat Plate Surface Area (A) =0.011 𝑚2

Air velocity, v = 1.0 m/s

Time(minutes) Plat Surface Inlet Temperature, 𝑇1 Exit Temperature, 𝑇2
Temperature,𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (°𝐶) (°𝐶) (°𝐶)
1 76.0 21.5 21.7
2 75.8 21.4 21.7
3 75.7 21.4 21.6
4 75.5 21.4 21.7
5 75.4 21.6 21.8
Table 3.3 Sample experimental calculation of forced convection at v=1.0m/s

Air velocity, v = 2.0 m/s

Time(minutes) Plat Surface Inlet Temperature, Exit Temperature, 𝑇2
Temperature,𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑇1 (°𝐶) (°𝐶)
(°𝐶)
1 75.8 21.5 21.6
2 75.0 21.5 21.6
3 70.2 21.4 21.6
4 69.6 21.4 21.6
5 69.0 21.3 21.4
Table 3.4 Sample experimental calculation of forced convection at v=2.0m/s

21
Sample Experimental Calculation of Forced Convection

Heated flat plate area : 0.011 m

Air duct area : 0.00975 m2

At 𝑣 = 1.0 𝑚/𝑠

Log-mean temperature difference

∆𝑇1= 76-21.5

=54.5 °𝐶

∆𝑇2 = 76-21.7

=54.3 °𝐶

∆𝑇1 − ∆𝑇2
∆𝑇𝑙𝑚 =
∆𝑇
𝑙𝑛 ∆𝑇1
2

54.5 − 54.3
∆𝑇𝑙𝑚 =
54.5
𝑙𝑛
54.3

=54.40°𝐶

Mass flow rate

𝑘𝑔
𝜌 = 1.2754
𝑚4

𝑚 ̇ = 𝜌𝐴𝑣

= (1.2754)(0.00975)(1.0)

=0.0124 kg/s

Heat transfer

𝐾𝐽
𝐶𝑝 𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1.005
𝑘𝑔𝐾

q= 𝑚𝐶̇ 𝑝 ∆𝑇

22
 = (0.0124)(1.005 × 103 )(54.5-54.3)

=2.49 W

Thermal coefficient

𝑞
ℎ̅ =
𝐴∆𝑇𝑙𝑚

9.97
ℎ̅ =
(0.011)(54.40 + 273)

𝑊
= 2.768 ∙𝐾
𝑚2

Efficiency

𝑞
𝜇=
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

249
𝜇=
70

𝜇 = 3.5

Experimental data for forced convection experiment

Table 3.5 Experimental data for forced convection

Heat transfer coefficient Efficiency
V=1.0m/s V=2.0m/s V=1.0m/s V=2.0m/s
1 2.768 2.768 3.560571 1.780286
2 2.768 2.768 5.340857 1.780286
3 2.768 2.768 3.560571 3.560571
4 2.768 2.768 5.340857 3.560571
5 2.769 2.766 3.560571 1.780286

Sample Theoretical Calculation of Forced Convection

Heater power : 70W

Ambient temperature : 25°𝐶

Temperature at V=1.0m/s : 76°𝐶

23
Film temperature

𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 + 𝑇∞
𝑇𝑓 =
2

76 + 25
𝑇𝑓 =
2

𝑇𝑓 = 50.5°𝐶

Refer properties table A-15, properties of air at 1 1 atm pressure to determine the kinematic
viscosity, thermal conductivity and Prandlt number for 𝑇𝑓 =50.5°𝐶

Kinematic Viscosity
60 − 50 1.896 − 1.798
=
60 − 50.5 1.896 − 𝑣
𝑣 = 1.80437 × 10−5 𝑚2 /𝑠

Thermal conductivity
60 − 50 0.02808 − 0.02735
=
60 − 50.5 0.02808 − 𝑘
𝑊
𝑘 = 0.0274 ∙𝐾
𝑚
Prandtl number
60 − 50 0.7202 − 0.7228
=
60 − 50.5 0.7202 − 𝑃𝑟
𝑃𝑟 = 0.7178
Reynold’s number
At L = 1m
𝑉𝐿
Re = 𝑣
(1.0)(1)
Re = 1.80437×10−5

Re = 55421.00
Re <5 × 105 , 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑡 𝐿 = 1𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
Nusselt number
̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑢=0.664Re1/2Pr1/3

24
 1 1
=(0.664)( 554212 )(0.71783 )
=139.96

Heat transfer coefficient

ℎ𝐿̅
̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑢= 𝑘

(139.96)(0.0274)
ℎ̅ =
1
=3.835 W/𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾
Table 3.6 Theoretical data for forced convection experiment at V=1.0 m/s
Temperature Rayleigh Reynold’s Nusselt Coefficient Efficiency
surface, number number,Re number, ̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑢 heat transfer,
ℎ̅(W/𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾)
76.0 5.529 × 55466.19 140.3338 3.845146 3.560571
106
75.8 5.571 55496.36 140.3739 3.846245 5.340857
× 106
75.7 5.574 55511.45 140.393 3.846768 3.560571
× 106
75.5 5.580 55541.67 140.4312 3.847815 5.340857
× 106
75.4 5.511 55556.79 140.4503 3.848338 3.560571
× 106

Table 3.7 Theoretical data for forced convection experiment at V=2.0 m/s
Temperature Rayleigh Reynold’s Nusselt Coefficient Efficiency
surface, number number,Re number, ̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑢 heat transfer,
ℎ̅(W/𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾)
75.8 5.535 55496.98 140.3747 3.846266 1.780286
× 106
75.0 5.560 55617.35 140.5333 3.843586 1.780286
× 106
70.2 5.747 56339.3 141.4816 3.84547 3.560571
× 106
69.6 5.767 56430.86 141.603 3.851603 3.560571
× 106
69.0 5.824 56522.72 141.7248 3.840742 1.780286
× 106

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4.0 DISCUSSION

4.1 DISCUSSION (ISFAHAN B JULIAH / 2020459442)

Based on the experiment of forced and natural convection, we could see that the heat transfer
𝑊
coefficient for experimental natural convection experiment is 124.05 𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾 at 76.3 °𝐶 and 55
𝑊
minutes. While the heat transfer coefficient for theoretical natural convection is 6.376 𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾

at 76.3 °𝐶 and 55 minutes. Whereas in forced convection experiment, the heat transfer
𝑊
coefficient for experimental value is 2.768 𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾 at velocity of air at 1 m/s at 1 minute. While

the heat transfer coefficient for theoretical value is 3.835 W/𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾 at velocity of air equal to
1 m/s at 1 minute. Based on this result we can conclude that the heat transfer coefficient of
forced convection either in experimental and theoretical does outperform the heat transfer
coefficient in natural convection in both experimental and theoretical. This is because if we
take a deeper look into the value of the heat transfer coefficient in forced convection, it just
only took a short amount of time to transfer the heat across the plate surface. Heat transfer
coefficient is the quantitative property of convective heat transfer between a fluid medium (a
fluid) and the surface (a wall) that the fluid flows over. Heat transfer occurs when the molecule
of the fluid is moving because there is difference in density and temperature gradient between
molecules in the fluid where higher density of molecules will move to the bottom part in the
fluid and the less dense molecules will moving upward. If we look onto the graph of
temperature of flat plate against time in natural convection experiment, we could see that the
graph has an increase trendline. This is because as the time goes on the temperature of the plate
surface will increase because the convection occurs as the fluid around the apparatus is heated
and move across the plate surface which makes the surface to gradually heated and become
hotter. If we look onto the forced convection experiment, we can notice that the plate surface
temperature is decreasing in both velocity of air at 1 m/s and 2 m/s as well as their respective
temperature of the inlet and outlet. This is because when the air (fluid) moves across a heated
surface, the heat will be transferred onto the fluid as there exist a temperature and molecules
density difference. The molecules of the air that are less heated will be denser than the
molecules that are exposed to more heat which makes them less dense and make these
molecules to change their arrangement in the fluid from low arrangement (high density
molecules) to high arrangement (low density molecules) to transfer heat. Furthermore, this
transfer of heat is what causes the plate surface to decrease in temperature. In both air velocity,

26
1m/s and 2 m/s we could see decrease in temperature from temperature of inlet to temperature
of outlet. This is because of the heat that has been transferred from the air flow across the
heated surface, which means as the air flow inlet flow through the heated plate surface, the
fluid having a convection which makes it to absorb and transfer the heat to the outlet of the fan
in the apparatus. This is the reason why the temperature of the outlet is decreasing over time.
Next, the efficiency values for free and forced convection. Based on the experiment, the
efficiency values for forced convection is 3.56% at 1 m/s of air velocity at 5 minutes and 1.78%
at 2 m/s of air velocity at 5 minutes. While the efficiency for theoretical forced convection at
1 m/s air velocity and 2 m/s at 5 minutes is 3.56% and 1.78 % respectively. While the efficiency
values for experimental free convection is 56.43% at 55 minutes with 76.3 °𝐶 and the
theoretical free convection is 10.98% at 55 minutes with 76.3 °𝐶 76.3. If we compare between
these two values free convection has higher percentages of efficiency. There is a huge
differences of efficiency values between these two types of convection. When convection is
involved, we wanted to measure the ability of heat transfer. So based on the experiment, forced
convection should be the one that yields higher efficiency values of convection. This is because
convection is a movement of molecules when there is a difference in molecules density in the
fluid which creates a buoyant force on less dense molecules which moves the molecules
upward and denser molecules in downward direction, and temperature differences exist. So,
this result is unexpected when we benchmark convection based on the efficiency of transferring
heat. However, since the time interval between these two types of convection is on different
scale, this means that forced convection would have higher percentage of efficiency since the
time interval in forced convection is smaller compared to the free convection. Hence, this result
is expected. Furthermore, if we compare between theoretical and experimental efficiency for
natural or free convection, we could see that there is no difference since the efficiency of both
the theoretical and experimental value for natural convection at 1 m/s and 2 m/s at 5 minute
yields same efficiency which is 3.56% and 1.78% respectively. Hence, there is no difference
at all since the error of the percentages would amount to 0% for velocity of air 1m/s and 2 m/s
respectively. This is because the experiment is done with a good precision and the convection
occurs smoothly without any significant error and since the error is zero this could mean that
both experimental and theoretical of the heat transfer is in laminar flow.
Velocity of air at 1m/s at 5 minutes
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 – 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
Percentage error = x 100%
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
3.56 – 3.56
= × 100 = 0%
3.56

27
Next, if we compare the efficiency between the theoretical and experimental in free convection, we
could see a noticeable difference between the two. This is because in the experimental there is no
calculation for Nusselt number and Rayleigh number which could determine whether its heat
transfer for both experimental and theoretical is in the same type of flow for example in laminar
flow or turbulent flow.

The flow for free convection is Ra=3.1766 × 106 laminar flow since based on Rayleigh
number, if Ra < 109, then the flow is laminar. While the flow for forced convection is a laminar
as well, since Re = 55421.00, Re <5 × 105 , 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑎𝑡 𝐿 = 1𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤. The leading
edge of the surface will have a comparatively thin boundary layer that serves as thermal
resistance, which will cause a relatively high convection coefficient. The flow across a flat
plate will change into turbulent flow at a Rayleigh number of roughly 109. If both type of this
convection is in turbulent flow, because of improved mixing, the enhanced turbulence within
the boundary layer will improve heat transfer, resulting in relatively high convection
coefficients.
Based on the experiment of forced and natural convection, we could see that the heat transfer
𝑊
coefficient for experimental natural convection experiment is 124.05 𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾 at 76.3 °𝐶 and 55
𝑊
minutes. While the heat transfer coefficient for theoretical natural convection is 6.376 𝑚2 ∙ 𝐾

at 76.3 °𝐶 and 55 minutes. However, in forced convection the error percentages yield 0% of
error. Hence, the forced convection for experimental and theoretical having a same similarity
in terms of its true value. We could see that there is an inconsistency between the theoretical
and experimental results. This is because of an error when setting up the apparatus of the
machinery used to do the convection experiment. This error might be from the inconsistency
of power source that supplied heat energy to the plate, the inconsistency of readings taken are
not punctual to the time intervals that has been set and the temperature of surroundings might
intervene with the apparatus, thus making the temperature for the convection to occur to be
perturbed.

4.2 DISCUSSION (KHAIRUNNISA BINTI SHARIPUDDIN / 2020818978)

The experiment consists of two types of convection, such as natural convection and induced
convection. For the natural convection experiment, it doesn’t have an air velocity (0 m/s) and
the temperature is documented before it reaches a constant value. The tabulated results reveal

28
that the constant temperature is achieved. The heat transfer coefficient for experimental natural
convection experiment is 124.05 W/m^2 ∙K at 76.3 °C and 55 minutes. While the heat transfer
coefficient for theoretical natural convection is 6.342 W/m^2 ∙K at 76.3 °C and 55 minutes.
This value is unexpected due to the difference is too far. Efficiency for free convection is
56.43% compared to forced convection which is 3.5%. The relationship of the plotted graph
where the temperature of the surface increases as time increases. Thus, the experimental value
of the heat transfer coefficient varies considerably from the theoretical value of the heat transfer
coefficient. This is because there are many parameters to be determined in theoretical study,
such as volume thermal expansion coefficient, Rayleigh number, Nusselt number, total heat
transfer coefficient and rate. In addition, some information is required for students to use Table
A-15 to obtain kinematic viscosity, thermal conductivity and Prandtl number values. Based on
the tabulated results, it shows that as the temperature of the surface increases, other parameters
also increase. Then, for a forced convection experiment, the velocity used to measure the
temperature is 1.0 m/s and 2.0 m/s. From the shown graph it shows that the temperature of the
surface will decrease as time increases. Furthermore, it is also the same as natural convection,
where when the other parameters are evaluated and Table A-15 is also used to obtain some
information. The heat transfer coefficient for experimental value is 2.768 W/m2 ∙K at velocity
of air at 1 m/s at 1 minute. While the heat transfer coefficient for theoretical value is 3.835
W/m2∙K at velocity of air equal to 1 m/s at 1 minute. It indicates not much difference in value
relative to normal convection as well as from tabulated data for all airspeed velocity, it shows
that certain parameters will decrease as the surface temperature rises.

The efficiency values for both forced and free convection are then calculated. Based on the
experiment, forced convection has an efficiency value of 3.5% while free convection has an
efficiency value of 56.43%. Free convection has a larger percentage of efficiency when we
compare these two figures. These two types of convection have quite different efficiency levels.
We intended to measure the efficiency of heat transfer when convection is significant. Thus,
forced convection should produce higher convection efficiency values, according to the
experiment. This is due to the fact that convection is a movement of molecules that occurs
when temperature variations and a difference in molecular density exist in a fluid, causing
buoyant forces on less dense molecules to move them upward and denser molecules to move
them downward. Therefore, when we benchmark convection based on the effectiveness of
transferring heat, this result is unexpected.

29
That being said, for both natural and forced convection, the number of Reynolds indicates that
the flow over the flat plate is a laminar flow that is continuous and streamlined. The flow for
free convection is Ra=3.1766×106 laminar flow since based on Rayleigh number, if Ra < 109,
then the flow is laminar. While the flow for forced convection is a laminar as well, since Re =
55421.00, Re <5×105 ,flow at L=1m is laminar flow. In addition, the heat value transfer for
natural convection is higher than heat transfer for forced convection meanwhile for the
performance, forced convection percentage is lower than the percentage for natural convection.
Hence, this can be seen that natural convection is much more efficient and has a greater rate of
heat transfer.

Lastly, the heat transfer coefficient for experimental natural convection experiment is 124.05
W/m2 ∙K at 76.3 °C and 55 minutes. While the heat transfer coefficient for theoretical natural
convection is 6.376 W/m2 ∙K at 76.3 °C and 55 minutes. We could actually see that there is an
inconsistency between the theoretical and experimental results due to the multiple errors that
occurred throughout this experiment, including such systematic error, random error and human
error. Typically, random error is often present in an experiment. This can be minimized and
calculated by calculating the variance in repetition. Systematic including human errors that are
impossible to identify as errors will have an equivalent effect on all measurements.

4.3 DISCUSSION (MOHAMAD JAZLI NAJIY BIN MOHMAD NASIR /

2020601962)

Natural convection occurs due to natural causes. Natural convection is defined as a movement of
liquid or gas that is not caused by external forces such as a pump. Natural convection occurs when
density differences exist. As an example, consider boiling water. When the bigger heat from the
stove is transmitted to the pot to boil the water, this is referred to as boiling water heat transfer.
Natural convection is also influenced by gravity.

Convection is a type of heat transfer that occurs between gas or liquid on a surface in this
experiment. Forced convection is a method of heat transfer in which the fluid or air is forced to
move for example, through a tube, to enhance heat transfer. In pipe flow, for example, forced

30
convection occurs when cooled liquid is forced into the pipe and heat from other sources is
transferred. As we all know, the velocity of the liquid is crucial to the efficiency of this heat transfer.

In this experiment the heat transfer coefficient was experimentally determined. the heat transfer
coefficient for experimental natural convection is 124.05W/m2∙K while for theoretical is 6.342
W/m2∙K .This value is not as expected due to difference is too far. Efficiency for free convection is
56.43% compared to forced convection which is 3.5%. The big positive attribute of forced
convection versus natural convection is the increased amount of heat transfer. By being able to
move more fluid through a system in the same period of time, more heat absorbed by the fluid can
be forced away from your heat source.

For both natural and forced convection, the number of Reynolds indicates that the flow over the flat
plate is a laminar flow that is continuous and streamlined. In addition, the heat value transfer for
natural convection is higher than heat transfer for forced convection meanwhile for the
performance, forced convection percentage is lower than the percentage for natural convection.
Hence, this can be seen that natural convection is much more efficient and has a greater rate of heat
transfer. flows for free and forced convection both flow in laminar flow since Renault number for
them is below 5x105.

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 CONCLUSION (ISFAHAN BIN JULIAH / 2020459442)

Based on the experiment natural and forced convection, the main distinction between forced
and natural convection is that in forced convection, external forces are used to control fluid
motion while in natural convection, the fluid motion is influenced by natural forces. The
distinction between forced and natural convection in terms of heat transmission is that forced
convection can be caused by external forces, but natural convection is not affected by external
factors. In this experiment we could understand that heat transfer coefficients are much higher
in forced convection because the rates of the heat transfer are influenced by the external forces
that makes the movement of molecules to move in rapid rate in the fluid that has higher density
to move downward and less density to move upward when there is temperature differences.
Based on the experiment that was done, the result is unexpected as the value for the efficiency
for forced convection is lower that the natural convection. However, since the time interval

31
between these two types of convection is on different scale, this means that forced convection
would have higher percentage of efficiency since the time interval in forced convection is
smaller compared to the free convection. Hence, this result is expected. Since the main point
in convection is the transfer of heat, so that means the forced convection should have higher
efficiency as there is external forces that makes the rates of heat transfer to be increased. This
may be due to error when doing the experiment because of an error when setting up the
apparatus of the machinery used to do the convection experiment. This error might be from the
inconsistency of power source that supplied heat energy to the plate, the inconsistency of
readings taken are not punctual to the time intervals that has been set and the temperature of
surroundings might intervene with the apparatus, thus making the temperature for the
convection to occur to be perturbed. Hence, forced convection is the most efficient way of
transferring heat. There are several recommendations that need to be taken when executing the
experiment, which is by making sure that distance from the apparatus is on a safe distance as
there is danger of getting burn by the heater. Next, make sure that the calibration of the machine
is done to make sure that the heater and the reading scale on the apparatus are calibrated.
Finally, make sure to conduct the experiment on good surrounding as the temperature of the
surrounding might cause error in the reading of the apparatus.
The application that can be implemented based on this experiment is systems that operate at
extremely high temperatures, such as those used to convey molten metal or liquefied plastic,
are applications for forced convection. Other such as computer case cooling, cooling/heating
system design, electric fan simulation and fan- or water-cooled central processing unit (CPU)
design.

5.2 CONCLUSION (KHAIRUNNISA BINTI SHARIPUDDIN / 2020818978)

In conclusion, convection process occurred when heat is transmitted through the fluid in the
midst of bulk fluid motion. Forced convection happened as the fluid was forced to convection.
Moreover, flow through to the surface with external means, such as a fan. Fluid motion
increases the rate of heat transfer, which is the greater the velocity the higher the rate of heat
transfer. The air flow for this experiment is laminar, which is smooth and smooth. Therefore,
the percentage of efficiency indicates that natural convection is much more effective and
therefore has a higher degree of heat transfer. Apart from that, the goals of the experiment are

32
successfully accomplished and need to be taken to the extent where certain readings may give
incorrect value and may not be too reliable due to any errors that occur in the experiment.

5.3 CONCLUSION (MOHAMAD JAZLI NAJIY BIN MOHMAD NASIR /

2020601962)

As a result of convection, heat is transferred through a fluid when it is flowing in large quantities.
The fluid was forced to convection, which caused forced convection to occur. Additionally, use an
outside device to force flow through to the surface, like a fan. The rate of heat transmission is
increased by fluid motion, and the higher the velocity, the greater the rate of heat transfer. For this
experiment, the air flow is laminar, which is constant and constant. Since natural convection is
significantly more effective, it has a larger degree of heat transmission, according to the efficiency
%. Aside from that, the experiment's objectives have been met, although care must be exercised
because certain readings might provide false results. Aside from that, the experiment's objectives
were effectively met, although precaution must be exercised because certain readings might provide
inaccurate results or could not be very dependable because of experimenter error.

33
6.0 REFERENCES

[1] Majid Bahrami, School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University,
Retrieved 2 November 2022 from https://www.sfu.ca/~mbahrami/

[2] ENSC 388 Engineering Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer, Retrieved 2 November
2022 from https://www.sfu.ca/~mbahrami/ensc388.html

[3] Force convection – Energy Education, Retrieved 2 November 2022 from

https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Forced_convection

[4] Convection Heat Transfer - Natural and Forced Convection, Retrieved 2 November 2022
from https://www.smlease.com/entries/thermal-design/convection-convective-heat-transfer/

[5] Fundamentals of Thermal-Fluid Sciences (5th) by Cengel, Yunus A./ Cimbala, John M./
Turner, Robert H. , Retrieved 2 November 2022 from
https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9780078027680

34