Department of Mechanical Engineering

EXPERIMENT:
Title. Thermal Conductivity of a Metal Rod
Aim. To determine the thermal conductivity of a metallic rod.
Prior Knowledge: Phenomenon of heat conduction in metals, Fourier law
application to plane wall and hollow cylinders and variation of thermal
conductivity with temperature.

Practical Outcomes. After experiment performance students must be able to

PrO 1. Derivation of steady state heat conduction in plane wall and hollow
cylinders.
PrO 2. Variation of thermal conductivity at different section of metal rod
and heat loss in radial direction.
PrO 3. Nature of variation of thermal conductivity of conducting metal with
temperature.

APPARATUS:
Measuring flask, stopwatch, thermocouples with temperature indicators.

Introduction
Thermal conductivity is an important thermophysical property of
conducting materials, by the virtue of which the material conducts the heat
energy through it. From Fourier’s law of heat conduction, thermal
conductivity is defined as

Heat Transfer Lab Manual Mechanical Engineering 7

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Q dT dT
k = − = q
A dx dx

where Q= heat transfer rate, W

q= heat flux,W/m2
A= area normal to heat transfer,m2
dT
= temperature gradient in the direction of heat flow
dx
The thermal conductivity for a given material depends on its state, and it varies with 0the
direction, structure, humidity, pressure, and temperature change. Table 2.1shows the thermal
conductivity of some commonly used materials.

Thermal conductivities of some typical metals

Reference
Sr. No. Metals Thermal conductivity state
1 Aluminum 204 20°C

2 Pure copper 386 20°C

3 Brass 111 20°C

4 Pure iron 73 20°C

5 Silver 419 20°C

6 Stainless steel 16.2 20°C

2.3 MECHANISM OF HEAT CONDUCTION IN METALS

Thermal energy can be transported in solids by two means:
1. Lattice vibration
2. Transport of free electrons
Thermal energy can be conducted in solids by free electrons and by lattice vibrations. Large
numbers of free electrons move about in the lattice structure of the material in good
conductors. These electrons carry thermal energy from higher temperature region to lower
temperature region, in a similar way they transport electric charge. Infect, these electrons are
frequently referred as electron gas. The energy may also be transferred as vibrational energy
in the lattice structure of the material. However, this mode of energy transfer is not effective
as electron transport mechanism and hence, good electrical conductors are always good heat
conductors, e.g. copper, silver etc.

However, with increase in temperature, the lattice vibrations obstruct the transport of free
electrons in the material and therefore, for most the metals thermal conductivity decreases
with increase in temperature.

Heat Transfer Lab Manual Mechanical Engineering 8

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
2.4 EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

2.7.1 Experimental Setup

Fig.2.1 Experimental setup for determining the thermal conductivityofa metal bar

The experimental setup consists of a brass metallic bar as shown in Fig.2.1.The bar is
horizontally placed and its test section is surrounded by a thick layer of insulating material.
The bar is heated at one end with the help of a band-type electrical heater, and the other end
of the bar is projected into a cooling water jacket.
Six thermocouples T1 to T6 are embedded at known distances along the length of the bar in the
test section, and four thermocouples T7 to T10 are equipped in the insulating cylinder in order
to measure the heat loss in the radial direction. The inlet and outlet temperature of the
circulating water is measured by thermocouples T11 and T12, respectively. Fig.2.2 shows

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 9

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
experimental arrangement in laboratory.

Fig.2.1 Experimental Setup

2.7.2 Theory
The bar is analyzed at two sections along its length (Figure 3). According to the first law of
thermodynamics, at any section the rate of incoming energy must be equal to the rate of
outgoing energy.

Rate of heat gain by circulating water = Rate of heat conduction at the free end of the rod
the rate of heat energy that reaches the circulating water is

Qw = m w C (T1 2 − T1 1 )
pw
…(1)
Where
mw= Mass flow rate of water in kg/s,
C pw
= Specific heat of water in J/kg.K

T12– T11= temperature difference of circulating water, °C

The rate of heat conduction through section B–B

2  L1 k in s ( T8 − T9 )
Q BB = Q + …(2)
W
 r 
In  0 
 ri 

Where L1=spacing between section B-B and the cooling end

kins =conductivity of the insulating material packed around the test section

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 10

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
ro= radius at which thermocouple 10is embedded
ri= radius at which thermocouple 9 is attached
T9= outer temperature of insulation at section B–B
T8 = inner temperature of insulation at section B–B

Further, the conduction rate at section A–A is expressed as

 dT 
Q = −k A (3)
BB B  
 dx  BB

Where kB= Thermal conductivity of the bar at section B–B,

A= cross-sectional area of the bar, m2

 dT 
  = temperature gradient at section B–B
 dx  BB

From Eqs. (2) and (3), we get

2  L (T − T )
QW + 1 8 9

 r 
In  o 
 ri 
kBB = …(4)
 dT 
A 
 dx  B B

Similarly at section A–A we have

2  L 2 k in s ( T 6 − T 7 )
Q AA = Q BB + …(5)
 r 
In  o 
 ri 

Where L2= length of bar between section A-A and B-B

The thermal conductivity of the bar material at section A–A in terms of the heat
conduction rate is expressed as
2  L k (T − T )
Q BB +
2 ins 7 8

r 
o
In  
kAA=  ri  …(6)
 dT 
A 
 dx  AA

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 11

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
2.5 Procedure
1. Start the water supply through the water jacket and regulate its uniform flow rate.
2. Turn on the heater switch and adjust the heater input through the dimmer-stat.
3. Wait until the steady-state condition is reached.
4. Note the reading of all thermocouples through the selector switch, voltmeter,
and ammeter.
5. Plotthetemperatureagainstthelocationofthethermocouplesalongthetestsectionof the
bar.

2.6 Specifications
1. Total length of the bar = 505 mm
2. Test length of the bar L= 400mm
3. Diameter of the bar d = 25mm
4. Temperature of the bar = 0–300°C
5. Thermocouple type = ChromelAlumel
6. Measuring flask capacity = 0 to 1000ml
7. Spacing between thermocouples =mm
8. Specific heat of the water Cpw= 4187 J/kg·K
9. Thermal conductivity of insulating material kins= 0.15 W/m·K
10. Insulation along the test length of rod Glass wool.

2.7 Observation Table

Mass Heater
Thermocouple readings, °C
Sr. flow input
No. (kg/s) V I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 12

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
2.10 Calculation

Using the temperatures of the bar at various points, plot the temperature distribution T1 to T6
along the length of the bar and determine the slopes of the graph dT/dx at the sections AA,
BB, CC as shown in Fig. 2.3 below.

Fig. 2.3 Temperature distribution along the length of a metal bar

(Note: The value of temperature goes on decreasing along the length of the bar, and the
value of slope dT/dx is always negative.)
Heat is flowing through the bar from heater end to water heat sink. When steady state
is reached, heat passing through the section CC of the bar is equal to heat gain by water.

Use Eqs. (1) to (6) to calculate the result.

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 13

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

CALCULATIONS FOR READING

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 14

 Department of Mechanical Engineering
2.11RESULT
Take the average of the two values of thermal conductivity and use it as the outcome of
the experiment.
The average thermal conductivity of the brass = W/m·K
2.12. Conclusions
1. Compare the value of thermal conductivity obtained by experimentation with a
standard value. State the reason for any deviation.
2. From the experiment, it is concluded that the temperature goes on decreasing along the
length of the rod.
3. The thermal conductivity of brass decreases with the increase in temperature. This is
due to an obstruction in the flow of free electrons caused by the increase in the
amplitude of the lattice vibration.
2.13PRECAUTIONS
1. Wait until perfect steady state is reached.
2. Input supply must be constant.
3. Handle the change-over switch of temperature gently.
QUESTIONS:
1. Define thermal conductivity.
2. What is meant by “one dimensional steady state ‟ when applied to conduction problem.
3. Give order of thermal conductivity for copper, brass, stainless steel.
4. Give thermal conductivity of any five metals.
5. Identify the mode of heat transfer in the following

ANSWERS: Attached Separate sheet

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 15

 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Thermal Engineering Mechanical Engineering 16