Thermal conductivity of liquids

(Guarded plate method)

Objective: Experimental Investigation of thermal conductivity of the liquids by Guarded Hot Plate
Method.
Aim: To determine the thermal conductivity of glycerol.
Introduction:
The dependence of thermal conductivity of a material on temperature depends on the
degree with the molecules of material are strongly bound to. Thermal conductivity of gases
increases with temperature due to increase in thermal energy that increases the molecular velocity.
In liquids, the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity depends on the viscosity also. The
physical properties of fluids, such as thermal conductivity, play an important role in the design of
a wide variety of engineering applications, including heat exchangers and electronic cooling [1].
Also, in many cooling applications ranging from micro-electronics to automotive or aero-spatial
industries, one of the key elements is the use of advanced fluids, with increased thermal
conductivity beside to classical cooling fluids. In such situations, the measurement of the thermal
conductivity of fluids is very important in evaluating the thermal transfer efficiency in thermal
equipment and in cooling systems. The guarded hot plate method is a steady state absolute method
suitable for material which can be laid flat between two parallel plates & can be adopted for loose
fill materials which can be filled between such plates. In the present study the work undertaken to
measure the thermal conductivity of glycerol.
Theory:
For thermal conductivity of liquid using Fourier’s law, the heat flow through the liquid
from hot fluid to cold is the heat transfer through conduction fluid medium.
Fourier’s equation:
𝑘𝐴
𝑄 = − ∆𝑥 (𝑇2 − 𝑇1 )

At steady state the average face temperatures are recorded (Th and Tc) along with the rate
of heat transfer (𝑄), knowing the heat transfer area(𝐴ℎ ) and the thickness of the sample (dx) across
which heat the transfer takes place, the thermal conductivity of the sample can be calculated using
Fourier’s law of heat conduction.

1
 (𝑇ℎ − 𝑇𝑐 )
𝑄 = 𝑘 𝐴ℎ
∆𝑥
Heat transfer area = Ah (area perpendicular to direction of heat flow)
Experimental setup:
The apparatus is based on well established “Guarded hot plate” method. It is a steady state
absolute method suitable for materials, which can be fixed between two parallel plates. The
essential components of the setup are the hot plate, the cold plates, and heater assembly, cold water
supply for the cold plate, RTD PT-100 sensors and the liquid specimen holder. In the setup, a uni-
directional heat flow takes place across the liquid whose two faces are maintained at different
temperature by the hot plate on one end and by the cold plate at the other end.
A heater heats hot plate and voltage to the heater is varied with the help of the variac to
conduct the experiment on different voltages as well as different heat inputs. Temperature are
measured by RTDPT-100 sensor attached at three different places on the hot plate as well as on
the cold plate. These sensor readings are used as 𝑇ℎ and 𝑇𝑐 at steady state condition. Heat is supplied
by an electric heater for which, we have to record the voltmeter reading (V) and ammeter reading
(A) after attaining the steady state condition. The temperature of the cold surface is maintained by
circulating cold water at 60 lph. The gap between the hot plate and cold plate forms the liquid cell,
in which liquid sample is filled. The depth of the liquid in the direction of the flow must be small
to ensure the absence of convection currents and the heat transfer can be safely assumed to takes
place by conduction alone.

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Experimental Procedure:
1. Fill the liquid cell with the sample liquid (glycerol) through the inlet port, keeping the
apparatus tilted towards upper side so that there is complete removal of air through the
outlet port.
2. Liquid filling should be continued till there is complete removal of air and also liquid
glycerol comes out of the outlet port. close the outlet port followed by the inlet port.
3. Allow cold water to flow through the cold water inlet @ 1-5 lpm. Measure the water flow
rate with the help of stopwatch and a measuring cylinder.
4. Start the electric heater to heat hot plate. Adjust the voltage of hot plate heater in the range
of 80-100 volts.
5. Adjust the cold-water flow rate such that there is change in the outlet temperature of cold
water.
6. Go on recording the sensor readings on hot side as well as on cold side, and once steady
state is achieved (minimum changes in the sensor readings). Record the three sensor
readings on the hot side and three sensor readings on the cold side on temperature indicator
along with the voltmeter (V) and ammeter (A) readings.
7. Stop electricity supply to the heater.
8. Open the liquid outlet valve slightly in the downward tilt position and drain the sample
liquid is a receiver, keeping liquid inlet part open.
Specification:
1. Hot plate material : Copper
Diameter: 160 mm
2. Cold plate material: Aluminum
Diameter: 160 mm
3. Sample liquid depth: 17 mm
4. Temperature sensors: RTD PT-100
Quantity: 6 nos. (No. 1 to no.3 mounted on hot plate and no. 4 to no. 6 mounted on
cold plate)
5. Digital temperature indicator range: 0 - 199.9 oC
Least count: 0.1 oC
6. Variac: 2 amp, 230 V (AC)

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 7. Digital voltmeter: 0 – 250 Volts
8. Digital ammeter: 0 – 1.99 Amp
9. Heater: Nichrome heater 400 watt
Observation and calculation:
At steady state: Record the following measurements:
i. Sample liquid:
ii. Voltmeter reading:
iii. Ammeter reading:
iv. Flow rate readings:
a. Volume of water:
b. Time taken:
(𝑇ℎ1 +𝑇ℎ2 +𝑇ℎ3 )
v. Hot face average temperature(𝑇ℎ ): 3
(𝑇𝑐1 +𝑇𝑐2 +𝑇𝑐3 )
vi. Cold face average temperature(𝑇𝑐 ): 3

Case V(v) I(A) W(watt) 𝑇ℎ1 𝑇ℎ2 𝑇ℎ3 𝑇𝑐1 𝑇𝑐2 𝑇𝑐3
1
2
3

Results: Report all the results that you have obtained in your experiment and write down the
discussions in your journal.
Conclusions: Using the results obtained from your experiment comment on the thermal
conductivity of liquids with respect to temperature.
Precaution:
i. Use the stabilize AC single phase power supply only.
ii. Do not disturb any electrical connections of the experimental setup.