CBE 3322

Heat Transfer Operations

Lab Manual
COMBINED CONVECTION AND RADIATION

September 2008
 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

HT 14C
COMBINED CONVECTION AND RADIATION

The 'Combined Convection and Radiation' accessory comprises a centrifugal fan (15) with a vertical
outlet duct (4 and 6) at the top of which is mounted a heated, horizontal cylinder (7). The mounting
arrangement for the cylinder is designed to minimize loss of heat by conduction to the wall of the duct
allowing the combined effects of convection (free or forced) and radiation to be measured. A
thermocouple attached to the wall of the heated cylinder provides a measurement of the surface
temperature from which heat transfer calculations can be performed.

The accessory is mounted on a PVC base plate (1) which stands on the bench top alongside the
HT10X.

Technical details of the 'Combined Convection and Radiation' accessory are as follows:

The heated cylinder (7) has an outside diameter of 10 mm, a heated length of 70 mm and is internally
heated throughout its length by an electric heating element which is operated at low voltage for
increased operator safety. The heating element is rated to produce 100 Watts nominally at 24 VDC
into the cylinder.

The power supplied to the heated cylinder can be varied and measured on the HT10X. The electrical
connections to the cylinder incorporate temperature resistant insulation with plug connection (11) to
the variable 24 Volt DC supply socket marked OUTPUT 3 on HT10X.

The surface of the cylinder is coated with heat resistant paint which provides a consistent emissivity
close to unity. Thermocouple T10 is attached to the wall of the heated cylinder to indicate the surface
temperature of the cylinder mid way along the cylinder. This type K thermocouple is fitted with a

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

standard plug (12) for direct connection to the HT10X service unit. The resolution of the temperature
reading is 1°C.

The heated cylinder is mounted in such a way that the body can be rotated to allow the position of the
thermocouple to be varied and the temperature distribution around the surface of the cylinder to be
determined. A lever (10) allows the hot cylinder to be rotated and a locking screw (9) allows any
position to be retained.

The maximum surface temperature of the cylinder is in excess of 600°C when operated in free
convection at full heater power. However, to preserve the life of the heating element the maximum
temperature should be limited to 500°C in normal use.

The heated cylinder is mounted horizontally at the top of a cylindrical duct which is attached to the
outlet of a centrifugal fan. The inside diameter of the duct is 70 mm.

The cylindrical duct is fabricated in two parts (4 and 6) with a rotating vane type anemometer (5)
mounted between the two sections to allow the velocity of the air approaching the heated cylinder to
be measured. The lead from the anemometer (13) connects directly to the socket marked U a on the
HT10X to provide readings of air velocity directly in units of meters/sec. The operating range of the
anemometer is 0 - 10 meters/sec. In normal operation the maximum air velocity is approximately 8
meters/sec when the fan is operated from a 50 Hz electrical supply (-A version).

A variable throttle plate (17) at the inlet to the fan allows the velocity of the air through the outlet duct
to be varied by adjusting the screw (16) at the centre of the front of the plate. The centrifugal fan is
mains operated and obtains its supply from a mains outlet (OUTPUT 1) at the rear of the service unit.
The connecting lead (18) is connected to this socket on the HT10X.

A thermal switch (2) protects the fan against over-current, in the event of a fault condition, and allows
the fan to be switched off for free convection demonstrations.

Thermocouple T9 is fitted in the wall of the duct, upstream of the anemometer to measure the
temperature of the air upstream of the heated cylinder. This thermocouple is fitted with a miniature
plug (14) for direct connection to the HT10X service unit. The resolution of the temperature reading is
0.1°C.

A guard (8) covering the outlet from the vertical duct prevents inadvertent contact with the heated
cylinder or the hot wall of the duct when the accessory is in use or cooling down following operation.

Details of connections between the HT14 and the HT10X service unit are given in the section
Connection to Services.

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

Exercise C

1. Objective
-To determine the effect of forced convection, on heat transfer from the surface of a cylinder at
varying air velocities and surface temperatures.
-To demonstrate the relationship between air velocity and surface temperature for a cylinder
subjected to forced convection.

2. Method
By measuring the temperature on the surface of a horizontal cylinder subjected to heat loss by
radiation and forced convection in combination then comparing the results with those obtained
from a theoretical analysis.

3. Equipment Required
HT10X Heat Transfer Service Unit; HT14 Combined Convection and Radiation Accessory;
IFD5 PC Interface Console; PC

Equipment set-up
Before proceeding with the exercise, ensure that the equipment has been prepared as follows:
Locate the HT14 Combined Convection and Radiation Accessory alongside the HT10X Heat
Transfer Service Unit on a suitable bench.
• Set the VOLTAGE CONTROL potentiometer to minimum (anticlockwise) and the
selector switch to REMOTE.
• Ensure that the service unit is connected to an electrical supply.

4. Theory/Background
In free/natural convection the heat transfer rate from a surface is limited by the small
movements of air which are generated by changes in the density of the air as the air is heated
by the surface. In forced convection the air movement can be greatly increased resulting in
improved heat transfer rate from a surface. Therefore a surface subjected to forced convection
will have a lower surface temperature than the same surface subjected to free convection, for
the same power input.
If a surface, at a temperature above that of its surroundings, is located in moving air at the
same temperature as the surroundings then heat will be transferred from the surface to the air
and the surroundings. This transfer of heat will be a combination of forced convection to the air
(heat is transferred to the air passing the surface) and radiation to the surroundings. A
horizontal cylinder is used in this exercise to provide a simple shape from which the heat
transfer can be calculated.
Note: Heat loss due to conduction is minimized by the design of the equipment and
measurements mid way along the heated section of the cylinder can be assumed to be
unaffected by conduction at the ends of the cylinder. Heat loss by conduction would normally
be included in the analysis of a real application.

Total heat loss from the cylinder Qtot = Q f + Qr

Heat loss due to forced convection Q f = H fm As (TS − Ta )

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

Heat loss due to radiation Qr = H rm As (TS − Ta )

Heat transfer area AS = πDL
The heat transfer coefficients H fm due to forced convection and H rm due to radiation can be
calculated using the following relationships:
H rm = σξF S
(
T 4 − Ta4 )(
W / m2 K )
(TS − Ta )
Where:
( )
σ : Stefan-Boltzmann constant, σ = 56.7 *10 −9 W / m 2 K 4 .
ξ : Emissivity of surface.
TS : Surface temperature of cylinder, (K ) .
Ta : Ambient temperature, (K ) .
F : Viewing factor, F = 1 .
k
(
H fm = Nu m W / m 2 K
D
)
Where:
k : Conductivity of the air, (W / mK ) .
D : Diameter of the cylinder (m ) .
Nu m : Average Nusselt number (dimensionless) .
Average Nusselt number could be calculated by using the following empirical correlation:

Nu m = 0.3 +
(0.62 Re 0.5
)
Pr 0.33 ⎛⎜ ⎛ Re ⎞ ⎞⎟
1+ ⎜ ⎟
0.5

⎛ ⎛ 0.4 ⎞ 0.66 ⎞ ⎜⎝ ⎝ 282000 ⎠ ⎟⎠

0.25

⎜1 + ⎜ ⎟
⎜ ⎝ Pr ⎟⎠ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

From SW Churchill and M Bernstein

“A Correlating Equation for Forced Convection from Gases and Liquids to a Circular cylinder
in cross flow". Journal of Heat Transfer, 99:300-306 (1977).

Where
Re : Reynolds number.
Pr : Prandtl number for air.
Re = U c D /ν
ν : Kinematic viscosity.
U c Corrected air velocity (m/s)

Corrected air velocity U c = 1.22U a (m/s)

(The cylinder causes a blockage in the duct resulting in a local increase in the air velocity.)

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

Values for k, n and Pr depend on the temperature of the air and can be found using the table
included in the HT14 teaching manual.

The actual power supplied to the heated cylinder Qin = V I (W)

5. Operating Procedure
1. Run the HT14–303 software selecting ‘Section C - Determining the effect of forced convection’
and read through any introductory screens needed to gain familiarity with the operation of the
software.
2. Switch on the front Mains switch (if the panel meters do not illuminate check the RCD and
circuit breakers at the rear of the service unit, all switches at the rear should be up).
3. Start the centrifugal fan by pressing the switch on the connection box.
4. Monitor the air velocity in the duct using the 'IFD Channel History' window or mimic diagram.
5. Set the heater voltage to 17 volts. (Adjust the voltage control on the mimic diagram to give a
voltage of 17 volts.)
6. Open the throttle plate on the front of the fan by rotating the adjustment knob to give an air
velocity reading of 0.5 m/s displayed on the mimic diagram.
7. When the temperatures are stable, click 'sample now' and the HT14 software will record the
following:
a. T9, T10, V, I, Qa.
8. Adjust the throttle plate to give a velocity of 1.0 m/s.
9. Watch the IFD Channel History and allow the HT14 to stabilize before taking the next set of
experimental readings.
10. Repeat the above procedure changing the air velocity in steps of 1.0 m/s until the air velocity is
set to 7.0 m/s.
11. Set the heater voltage to 20 volts. (Adjust the voltage control on the mimic diagram to give a
voltage of 20 volts.) .
12. Repeat steps from 6-11.

6. Results and Calculations

The HT14 software logs and calculates the following data:

Heater Voltage V Volts

Heater Current I Amps
Heater Flow Qin Watts
Temperature of air in duct T9 (°C)
Temperature of heated cylinder T10 (°C)
Air velocity in the duct Ua (m/s)

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

For this exercise the following constants are applicable

Diameter of cylinder D = 0.01 (m)

Heated length of cylinder L = 0.07 (m)
Air velocity correction factor 1.22

For each set of readings the HT14 software calculates the following results:

Note. To view all data columns questions will have to be answered in the Theory section of the
walk through.

Heat flow (Power to heater) Qin (Watts)

Heat transfer area (surface area) AS (m2)
Corrected air velocity Uc (m/s)
Heat transfer coefficient (forced convection) H fm
Heat transfer coefficient (radiation) H rm
Heat transferred by forced convection Qf (W)
Heat transferred by radiation Qr (W)
Total heat transferred Qtot (W)

You should also estimate and record the experimental errors for these measurements and
calculations using the note-taking feature.

Compare the theoretical values for Qtot with the measured values for Qin and explain any
differences in values.

Compare the calculated heat transferred due to Convection Q f and radiation Qr .

The graph of surface temperature T10 against corrected air velocity U c is produced in the
'View Data in Graph Format'.

Observe that the surface temperature of the cylinder reduces as the air velocity increases for a
fixed heat input Qin .

Observe that the surface temperature reduces more rapidly at low air velocities and reduces
more slowly at high air velocities.

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

7. Conclusions
You have demonstrated how the heat transfer from a heated surface to its surroundings is a
combination of forced convection and radiation (the effect of conduction must also be included
where relevant) when the surface is located in a moving air steam.

For equilibrium, heat input to a surface must equal the heat transferred from the surface to its
surroundings. Since heat transfer from a surface increases with the velocity of the air,
increased air velocity past a surface results in a decrease in the temperature of the surface.

The calculation of the heat transfer coefficient H fm for forced convection involves the use of
empirical equations which are specifically related to heat transfer from a horizontal cylinder.
Empirical equations are available for other classical shapes which will allow a theoretical
analysis to be performed.

The effect of air velocity forced convection on surface temperature.

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

Nomenclature

Name Symbol SI unit

Voltage to heated cylinder V V
Current to heated cylinder I A
Power supplied to heated cylinder Qin W
Diameter of heated cylinder D m
Heated length of cylinder L m
Heat transfer area AS m²
Air velocity in duct (free stream velocity) Ua m/s
Corrected air velocity (due to blockage) Uc m/s
Heat transferred due to natural convection Qc W
Heat transferred due to forced convection Qf W
Heat transferred due to radiation Qr W
Total heat transferred from cylinder Qtot W
Heat transfer coefficient for natural convection Hc W / m² K
Heat transfer coefficient for forced convection H fm W / m² K
Heat transfer coefficient for radiation H rm W / m² K
Stefan Boltzmann constant s σ W / m² K4
Emissivity of cylinder ξ Dimensionless
View factor (geometric factor) F Dimensionless
Dynamic viscosity of air m² / s
ν
Thermal conductivity of air k W / mK
Reynolds number (local) Re Dimensionless
Nusselt number (local) Nu Dimensionless
Prandtl number Pr Dimensionless
Angular position of thermocouple (measured from the θ Degrees
stagnation point)
Surface temperature of heated cylinder T10 °C
Surface temperature of heated cylinder Ts K
Temperature of ambient air/surroundings T9 °C
Temperature of ambient air/surroundings Ta K
Film temperature of air T film K

Subscripts
D Diameter
M mean
(average)
F Film

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 CBE 3322 Heat Transfer Operations

Physical Properties of Air

T film(K) u(m²/s) K(W/ m K) Pr

300 1.684 x 10-5 0.02624 0.708
350 2.076 x 10-5 0.03003 0.697
400 2.590 x 10-5 0.03365 0.689
450 3.171 x 10-5 0.03707 0.683
500 3.790 x 10-5 0.04038 0.680
550 4.434 x 10-5 0.04360 0.680
600 5.134 x 10-5 0.04659 0.680

The HT14 software utilizes the following relationships in the spreadsheet analysis to calculate the
physical properties of air:-

ν of air = (-2.4E-13*Tfilm³) + (4.319048E-10*Tfilm²) - (1.2252857E-7*Tfilm) + 2.11523809524E-5

Accuracy of relationship:
@ 350K n = 1.679E-05 99.70%
@ 600K n = 5.128E-05 99.88%

κ Of air = (-2.9619E-8*Tfilm²) + (9.44571429E-5*Tfilm) + 5.826190476E-4

Accuracy of relationship:
@ 350K k = 0.02625 99.96%
@ 600K k = 0.04659 100%

Pr of air = If Tfilm >= 500 then 0.68

Else (5E-7*Tfilm²) - (5.41E-4*Tfilm) + 0.82525
Accuracy of relationship:
@ 350K Pr = 0.708 100%
@ 600K Pr = 0.680 100%

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