EMISSIVITY MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

AIM:
To determine the emissivity of the given aluminum plate (disc).
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
- Two aluminum plates (1 black plate, 1 test plate), identical in size with sandwiched heating
coils
- Dimmerstats (Auto transformers) for varying the input to the heaters
- Ammeter and Voltmeter
- Digital temperature indicator
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Black plate (1) : 160 mm diameter, material – Aluminum.
- Test plate (2) : 160 mm diameter, material – Aluminum
- Heaters for (1) & (2) : Nichrome strip wound on mica sheet and sandwiched between two
mica sheets
- Capacity of heater : 200 W each, approx.
- Dimmerstat for (1) : 0-2A , 0-260 V.
- Dimmerstat for (2) : 0-2A , 0-260 V.
- Voltmeter : 0-100-2000 V , Ammeter 0-2 Amp.
- Enclosure size : 580 mm ×300 mm × 300 mm. (approximately)
- Thermocouples : Chromel - Alumel ( 3 Nos.)
- Temp. Indicator : 0-300 C
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
The experimental set up consists of two circular aluminum plates, identical in size with heating
coils sandwiched. The plates are mounted on brackets and are kept in an enclosure so as to provide
undisturbed natural convection surroundings.
The energy input to the heater is varied by separate dimmerstats and the input is measured using an
ammeter and a voltmeter with the help of double pole double throw switch. The temperature of the
plates is measured by thermocouples. Separate wires are connected to diametrically opposite points
of the plates to get the average surface temperature of the plates. Other thermocouple is kept in the
enclosure to read the temperature of the enclosure.
Plate (1) is blackened by a thick layer of lamp black to form an idealized black surface whereas,
plate (2) is the test plate whose emissivity is to be determined.
The plates dissipate heat from its surface by conduction, convection and radiation. The
experimental set up is designed in such a way that under steady state conditions, the dissipation by
conduction and convection is same for both the plates when the surface temperatures are same.
But the amount of heat radiated from the surfaces is different due to the difference in their
emissivities.
Since the plates do not see each other, the shape factors, F12 = F21 = 0
PRECAUTIONS:
- Use stabilized A.C., Single phase supply.
- Always keep the dimmerstats at zero position before start.
- Use the proper voltage range on VOLTMETER.
- Gradually increase the heater inputs.
- Ensure that the black plate is coated with a layer of lamp black uniformly.
There is a possibility of getting absurd results if the supply voltage is fluctuating or if the input is
not adjusted till the satisfactory steady state condition is reached.
PROCEDURE:
1. Gradually increase the input to the heater of the black plate and adjust it to some value viz. 30,
50, 75 V. Adjust the heater input to the test plate slightly less than the black plate, 25, 45, 60 V
etc.
2. Check the temperature of the two plates with small time intervals and adjust the input of test
plate only, by the dimmerstats so that the two plates will be maintained at the same temperature.
3. This requires some trial and error and one has to wait sufficiently long time (more than an hour
or so) to obtain the steady state conditions.
4. After attaining the steady state conditions, record the temperatures, voltmeter and ammeter
readings for both the plates.
5. The same procedure is repeated for various surface temperatures of the plates.
OBSERVATION:

Sl.No BLACK PLATE TEST PLATE ENCLOSURE TEMP.

V1 (V) I1 (A) Ts ( ºC ) V2 (V) I2 (A) Ts ( ºC ) Ta ( ºC )

where, V : Voltage, V
I : Current, A
Ts : Plate surface temperature, ºC
CALCULATIONS:

1. Surface area of the plate,

A = (2 ×  × d2) / 4 m 2
where d : diameter of the plate, 160 mm
2. Heat input to the black plate,
Qb = V1I1 Watts.
= Qrad +Qconv = 1. .A (Ts4 – Ta4) + Qconv.
where, 1 = Emissivity of black plate ( 1).
 = Stefan - Boltzmann constant, 5.67 ×10-8 W/m2.K4
A = Area of black plate, m2
 Ts = Plate surface temp, K
Ta = Ambient temp, K
3. Heat input to the test plate,
Qt = V2I2 Watts.
= Qrad + Qconv = 2..A(Ts4 –Ta4) + Qconv.
where, 2 = Emissivity of test plate
4. Difference in heat input ,
Q = (Qb – Qt) W
= 1..A(Ts4 – Ta4) - 2. .A.(Ts4 - Ta4)
= .A.(Ts4 –Ta4).(1-2)
which gives the emissivity (2) of the test plate.
RESULT:
The emissivity of the test plate is calculated at various surface temperatures of the plates and the
required graph (emissivity vs surface temperature) is drawn.
INFERENCE: