School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-332 Heat Transfer & HVAC Lab (Spring 2023)

Name : Huziafa Zain

CMS : 348419
Section : ME-12A

Exp. 2: Radiation Heat Transfer:

Objectives:
To show that the intensity of radiations emitting from a hot surface is inversely proportional
to the square of the distance from the radiation sourceusing radiometer.
Learning outcomes:
• To show that radiation intensity varies with distance.
• To demonstrate that radiation heat transfer follows the inverse square law.
Procedure:
• Ensuring the main switch is off, install the radiometer and radiation or heat source on
the horizontal track.
• Connect the heater supply cable to the power output socket for the heater on the back of
control unit.
• Connect the thermocouple of the heater assembly at T4 socket.
• Connect one of the thermocouple of the target plates T1 to the panel and place the plate
on the bench, to record ambient temperature.
• Position the radiometer on the test track at 5 cm from the heat source.
• Switch on the heater supply button on the back of control unit
• Set heater temperature by using heater controller (say 250 W). Monitor T4 and T1
reading on the indicator. Do not set the temperature of heater above 260 degree
Celsius, otherwise the relay may get damaged.
• When T4 value has stabilized, record T1, T4, the distance, x and the radiometer reading, I.
• Next, move the radiometer position to 15cm from the heated surface and monitor the
reading on the display panel. When the value has stabilized, jot down T1, T4, the
distance, x and the radiometer reading, I.
• Repeat the above procedure by increasing the distance each time.
NOTE: MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF THE HEATER SUPPLY BEFORE CLOSING
THE MAIN POWER SWITCH AFTER PERFORMING THE EXPERIMENT.
 School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-332 Heat Transfer & HVAC Lab (Spring 2023)

Data Recording:
Correction Factor for Background Radiation = 0.724
Hot Surface Temperature: 200°C
Heated Ambient Intensity(I) distance (d) 𝐼𝑑2
−2
(W/𝑚 ) cm
Surface Temperature
Temperature °C
°C
200 19.7 168.9 10 1.689
200 19.7 50.3 20 2.012
200 19.7 27.5 30 2.475
200 19.7 16.1 40 2.576
200 19.7 9.5 50 2.375
200 19.7 5.5 60 1.98
200 19.7 2.6 70 1.274

Q no 1: Draw the graph between radiation intensity (y-axis) and distance (x-
axis) using the data table. (Attach sheet).

Intensity vs Distance
180

160

140

120
Intensity

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Distance
 School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-332 Heat Transfer & HVAC Lab (Spring 2023)

Q no 2: How can you define the intensity of radiations? And why it decreases
with increase in distance?
The intensity of heat transfer is defined as the quantity of heat transferred per unit area.
As we distance ourselves from the heat source, the radiation becomes dispersed,
resulting in a reduction in the amount of radiation detected per unit area by the detector.
Conversely, as we approach the source, the quantity of radiation detected per unit area
increases. This is evident because the heat flux is inversely proportional to the square of
the distance from the source (r^2).

Q#3: What do you conclude from column 5 in data table?

As anticipated, the data plot in this experiment shows a steady exponential decrease in intensity
with increasing radius. This indicates that at larger distances, the intensity becomes notably
lower as the curvature or radius of the transmitted radiation increases. Additionally, it is
evident that the power transferred remains nearly constant, which can be attributed to the
consistent temperature of the heat source. However, any inconsistencies observed may be due
to systematic, personal, or random errors in the experimental setup. Moreover, another possible
source of deviation could be the change in ambient temperature during the 2-3 hour duration
of the experiment, resulting in a difference of a few degrees Celsius.

Discussion and Results

Conclusion:
Based on the results of the radiation heat transfer experiment, it can be concluded that the
intensity of radiation decreases exponentially with the distance from the source, resulting in a
reduced amount of radiation detected per unit area by the detector. However, the power
transferred remains constant due to the consistent temperature of the heat source. Any
discrepancies observed could be due to systematic, personal, or random errors, or changes in
ambient temperature during the duration of the experiment.

Marks Distribution

Data recording 3
Question 1 2
Question 2 1
Question 3 1
Discussion and Results 2
Calculation 1