Experiments # 2 Regd.

No: 20BCM0131
Thermal conductivity of an insulating powder

Aim & Objective: To determine thermal conductivity of a given insulating powder and
understand the heat conduction process involved.
Apparatus: Thermal conductivity of insulating powder test rig and stop watch
Theory and Working Principle: Conduction of heat is flow of heat which occurs due to
exchange of energy from one molecule to another without appreciable motion of molecules. In any
heating process, heat is flowing outwards from heat generation point. In order to reduce losses
heat, various types of insulators are used in practice. Various powders e.g. asbestos powder, plaster
of paris etc, are also used for heat insulation. In order to determine the appropriate thickness of
insulation, knowledge of thermal conductivity material is essential. This unit enables to determine
the thermal conductivity of insulating powders, using ‘sphere in sphere’ method.
Description of the set up: The apparatus consists of a smaller (inner) sphere, inside which is
fitted a mica electric heater. Smaller sphere is fitted at the center of outer sphere. An insulating
powder whose thermal conductivity to be determined was fitted in the gap between the two
spheres. The heat generated by the heater flows to the outer sphere through the powder. The outer
sphere loses heat to the atmosphere. The input to the heater is controlled by a dimmerstat and is
measured using voltmeter and ammeter. Four thermocouples were provided on the outer surface
of inner sphere and six thermocouples were on the inner surface of outer sphere, which are
connected to multichannel digital temperature indicator. Average of outer & inner sphere
temperatures give the temperature difference across the layer of powder. The sectional view of the
metal rod is shown below:

Formulae:
The thermal conductivity of an insulating powder is calculated using the following expression:

Where,
Ti=T1+T2+T3/3
 T0=T4+T5+T6/3

Heat input, Q = V*I Watts

Nomenclature:
Q = Heat input, W
ri = Inner sphere radius, m
ro = Outer sphere radius, m
Ai = Inner sphere area, m2
Ao = Outside sphere area, m2
Ti = Inside surface temperature, °C
To = Outside surface temperature, °C
k = Thermal conductivity of powder, W/m K
Experimental Procedure: Keep dimmerstat knob at ZERO position and switch ON the
equipment. Slowly rotate the dimmerstat knob, so that the voltage is applied across the heater. Let
the temperature to rise. After sometime, note down the temperature readings at frequent intervals
till consecutive set of readings are same indicating the steady state measurement. The readings of
heat input in terms of voltage and current can be measured using voltmeter and ammeter and
tabulated in the following observation table.

Table of Readings:
Sl.No Heat input, Watts Temperatures at different Temperatures at different
locations of the inner locations of the outer sphere,
sphere, °C °C
V I (A) Q=V* I T1 T2 T3 Ti T4 T5 T6 To
(W)
1. 68 0.17 11.56 85 83 88 85.3 35 33 34 34

2. 81 0.2 16.2 121 119 124 121.3 38 37 37 37.3

Model calculation:
di = 76 mm , ri = 38 mm = 38 * 10^-3 m
do = 150 mm , ro = 75mm = 75*10^-3m
Table of results:

S.NO. HEAT THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY, k (W/mK)

SUPPLIED, Q
(Watts)

1. 11.56 0.232
2. 16.2 0.199

Sample Questions:
1. How insulating materials are classified?
2. What is critical thickness of insulation?
3. Discuss various fields of applications of thermal insulation.