HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER LAB MANUAL

Experiment: 1
COMPOSITE WALL APPARATUS

AIM:
To determine Overall Thermal Conductivity of composite wall.

THEORY:
Thermal conductivity is an important thermo - physical property of conducting materials,
by virtue of which the material conducts the heat energy through it. From Fourier’s law of
conduction, the thermal conductivity is defined as
K = (Q/A) * (dx/dT) = q (dx/dT) in W/m.K
Where,
Q = heat transfer rate, watts,
q = heat flux, W /m2
A = area normal to heat transfer, m2
dT / dx = temperature gradient in the direction of heat flow
= (T2 - T1)/(x2-x1).
The thermal conductivity for a given material depends on its state and it varies with
direction, structure, humidity, pressure and temperature change. Thermal energy can be
transported in solids by two means:
1. Lattice vibration
2. Transport of free electrons
In good conducting materials, a large number of free electrons move about their lattice
structure of metal. These electrons move from higher temperature region to lower
temperature region, thus transport heat energy. Further, the increased temperature
increases vibration energy of atoms in the lattice structure.
Thus, in hotter portion of the solid, the atoms which have larger vibration energy, transfer
a part of its energy to the neighboring low energy molecules and so on throughout the
whole length of the body.

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ABOUT EXPERIMENT:
• A sketch of the apparatus is shown in figure. The essential parts are Heater
plate, Composite wall made of Mild Steel, Asbestos and Wood and
Thermocouples in position as shown in the figure.
• For the measurement of the thermal conductivity, it is required to have one
dimensional heat flow through the flat specimen, an arrangement for
maintaining its faces at constant temperature and metering method to
measure the heat flow through a known area.
• Knowing the heat input to the central plate heater, the temperature
difference across each specimen, thickness and the area, one can calculate the
conductivity by following formula:
𝑄𝛿
𝐾=
2 𝐴 (𝑇ℎ − 𝑇𝑐 )
Where,
K = Thermal conductivity of sample (W/m °C)
Q = heat transfer rate, watts,
𝛿 = Thickness of the specimen, m
A = area normal to heat transfer, m2
Th = Hot side average temperature, °C
Tc = Cold side average temperature, °C

APPARATUS DISCRIPTION:
Two sections of composite walls are positions on either side of the plate heater (Ni –
Cr packed in upper and lower mica sheets, 1500 W). Two thermocouples 1 & 2 are
used to measure the hot face temperature at the upper and lower heater plate.
Thermocouple 3 & 4 are used to measure the temperature at the other end of Mild
Steel Plate (20 mm). Thermocouple 5 & 6 are used to measure the temperature at
far end of Asbestos sheet (15 mm) and thermocouple 7 & 8 are used to measure the
temperature at the far end of Wooden Plate (10 mm). Diameter of the plates is 300
mm. Specimens are held in position by the help of C clamps. The whole assembly is

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 HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER LAB MANUAL

enclosed in wooden box with one side transparent for visualization. Voltmeter and
ammeter are used to measure the energy input to the heater. This energy input to
the heater can be varied by using Dimmerstat. Digital Temperature indicator with
selector switch on the control panel indicates the temperature at different positions
in the composite wall. Indicator lamp indicates ON/OFF position of the heater. MCB
has been provided to switch ON/OFF the power to the equipment.

PROCEDURE:
1. Insert male socket of control panel and keep test setup in proper position.
2. Start the main switch of control panel.
3. Increase slowly the input to heater by dimmerstat, starting from 0 volts
position.
4. Adjust input equal to 150 Watt maximum by voltmeter and ammeter.
5. See that this input remains constant throughout the experiment.
6. Wait till a satisfactory steady state condition is reached. This can be
checked by reading temperatures of thermocouples 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7
to 8.
7. Make dimmerstat knob to Zero position and then put main switch off.
8. Repeat the procedure for different heat input.
9. Note down the readings in the observation table.

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PRECAUTIONS:
1. Keep the dimmerstat to zero voltage before starting the experiment.
2. Increase the heater voltage gradually during initial set-up
experimentation.
3. Never use the heater at full capacity for longer period of time.
OBSERVATION TABLE:

Sr. no. 1 2 3

Time

Voltage (V) V

Current (Amp) I

Heat Input (W) Q=VxI

T1
Heater Plate
T2
Thermocouple T3
MS Plate
Position T4
Temperature T5
Asbestos Plate
(°C) T6
T7
Wooden Plate
T8
𝑇1 + 𝑇2
Mean Heater Temperature (°C) 𝑇12 =
2
𝑇3 + 𝑇4
Mean MS Plate Temperature (°C) 𝑇34 =
2
Mean Asbestos Plate Temperature 𝑇5 + 𝑇6
𝑇56 =
(°C) 2
Mean Wooden Plate Temperature 𝑇7 + 𝑇8
𝑇78 =
(°C) 2

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CALCULATIONS:
1. Heat transfer area Perpendicular to Heat Flow,
𝜋
𝐴= 𝐷 2 = _______________ m2
4

Where D = Diameter of slab = 300 mm

2. Heat supplied Q = V x I = _________ W

3. Thermal Conductivity for individual specimen:

a. Thermal conductivity of Mild Steel Plate:

𝑄 𝐾𝑀𝑆 𝐴 (𝑇12 − 𝑇34 )
=
2 𝛿𝑀𝑆
𝑄 𝛿𝑀𝑆 W
𝐾𝑀𝑆 = = ______________
2 𝐴 (𝑇12 − 𝑇34 ) 𝑚2 𝐾
b. Thermal conductivity of Asbestos Plate:
𝑄 𝐾𝐴𝑆 𝐴 (𝑇34 − 𝑇56 )
=
2 𝛿𝐴𝑆
𝑄 𝛿𝐴𝑆 W
𝐾𝐴𝑆 = = ______________
2 𝐴 (𝑇34 − 𝑇56 ) 𝑚2 𝐾
c. Thermal conductivity of Wood Plate:
𝑄 𝐾𝑊 𝐴 (𝑇56 − 𝑇78 )
=
2 𝛿𝑊
𝑄 𝛿𝑊 W
𝐾𝑊 = = ______________
2 𝐴 (𝑇56 − 𝑇78 ) 𝑚2 𝐾
d. Overall Thermal Conductivity:

𝑄 (𝛿𝑀𝑆 + 𝛿𝐴𝑆 + 𝛿𝑊 ) W
𝐾𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = ______________ 2
2 𝐴 (𝑇12 − 𝑇78 ) 𝑚 𝐾

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RESULT:

Thermal conductivity of Mild

W 𝐾𝑀𝑆
Steel (𝑚2 𝐾)

Thermal conductivity of
W 𝐾𝐴𝑆
Asbestos (𝑚2 𝐾)

Thermal conductivity of Wood

W 𝐾𝑊
( )
𝑚2 𝐾

Overall Thermal conductivity

W 𝐾𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙
(𝑚 2 𝐾 )

CONCLUSION:

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