4.

0 Error Analysis

Random Errors –
The random error of a set of readings is equal to the standard deviation. An example
calculation of the random error is shown below:

Measured value for Steam Pressure (PT68) at 50% flowrate

n
1
T́ = ∑ Ti
n i=1
1
¿ (6.413+ 6.471+ 6.432+ 6.404+6.379)
5
¿ 6.4198

n
Random Error=ε R=
√ 1
∑
n i=1
( T i −T́ )
2

1 ( 6.413−6.4198 )2+ ( 6.432−6.4198 )2 + ( 6.471−6.4198 )2

¿
√[
5
¿ 0.0344
+(6.404−6.4198)2 +(6.379−6.4198)2 ]

Systematic Errors –
The systematic error for a reading is stated as ± half the smallest value.
Example Systematic Error
PT6 6.4198 ±0.0005
8
FC69 45.582 ±0.005
FT67 30.586 ±0.005
TT60 36.407 ±0.0005
TT64 36.586 ±0.005
TT63 24.058 ±0.005
TT62 9.250 ±0.005
TT61 27.926 ±0.005
Table 3 Table of systematic errors for raw data

Area – Length = 0.748 ± 0.0005m

Width = 0.245 ± 0.0005m

Total Area=1.8326 m 2 ± 0.0039

Combining Random and Systematic Errors –

To obtain the total error for the raw data the random and systematic errors were combined.
This was done using the following method:

Error for Steam Pressure (PT68) at 50% flowrate –

ε =√ ε r 2+ε s2
¿ √ 0.03442 +0.00052
¿ 0.0344

The total errors calculated are shown above in Table 1 alongside the results from the raw
data.

4.1 Example Error Calculation -

Log mean heating Temperature difference error – Top line

2 2
ε Thm=√ ( 0.033 ) + ( 0.0097 )
¿ 0.0011

Log mean heating Temperature difference error – Bottom line

0.033 2 0.0097 2
ε Thm=0.0942 ×

¿ 9.345 ×10−5
√( 36.4068
+ ) (
24.058 )
Log mean heating Temperature difference error total
2
0.0011 2 9.345 ×10−5
ε Thm=131.15 ×

¿ 0.141
√( 11.99)(+
0.0942 )
Therefore T hm =131.15℃ ± 0.141
Log mean cooling Temperature difference error – Top line

2 2 2 2
ε Tcm=√( 0.1337 ) + ( 0.005 ) + ( 0.0641 ) + ( 0.0097 )
¿ 0.1487

Log mean cooling Temperature difference error – Bottom line subtraction

2 2
ε Thm=√ ( 0.0097 ) + ( 0.005 )
¿ 1.191× 10−4

2 2
ε Thm=√ ( 0.0641 ) + ( 0.1337 )
¿ 0.148

Log mean cooling Temperature difference error – Bottom line division

−4 2 2
ε Thm=0.536

¿ 0.0171
√( 1.191 ×10
14.808 )(
+
0.148
8.6598 )
Log mean cooling Temperature difference error total -
0.1487 2 0.0171 2
ε Thm=11.46 ×

¿ 0.03
√( )(
6.1482
+
0.536 )
Therefore T cm=11.46 ℃ ± 0.03

Heat load error -

0.7597 2 36.41−24.06 2
45.582
ε q=
60
¿ 1410.5 W
× 4.187 × ( 36.41−24.06 ) ×
√( 2.584 ) (
+
0.34396 )
Therefore Q=39.28 kW ± 1.41
Overall heat Transfer Coefficient Error -

1.41 2 0.039 2 0.03 2

ε Uc=1.870×
√(
¿ 0.067 kW /m 2 K
)(
39.28
+ ) (
1.8326
+
11.46 )
Therefore U c =1.870 kW /m2 K ±0.067

1.41 2 0.039 2 0.141 2

ε Uh=0.295 ×
√(
¿ 0.011 kW /m2 K
) (
39.28
+ )(
1.8326
+
131.15 )
Therefore U c =1.870 kW /m2 K ±0.011