UNIVERSITY OF MOSUL

College of Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering Dep.
2023-2024
Laboratories Report :
FORCED CONVECTION FROM A CYLINDER IN A CROSS FLOW

Prepared by student: Salim Sinan

INTRODUCTION

The phenomenon of heat transfer holds significant importance in various engineering and
research fields. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in the design of thermal systems and
understanding the impact of the environment on different structures.

The experiment on forced convection from a cylinder in cross-flow serves as a crucial step
to better study this phenomenon. This research aims to comprehend how heat is transferred
across the surface of a cylinder when exposed to air flow at a specific angle relative to the
cylinder.

Objectives of the Experiment

1. Understanding the thermal phenomena related to forced heat transfer from the
surface of a cylinder in crossflow.
2. Measuring the Nusselt and Reynolds coefficients and studying their impact on forced
heat transfer.
3. Clarifying the significance of the relationship between different factors and forced
heat transfer in engineering and industrial applications.
THEORY OF BERNOULLI EQUATION
The following assumptions are made:

a) The velocity head upstream of the working section is in fact equal to the pressure
drop between atmospheric and the upstream static pressure tapping. Once this
has been established the depression at the static tapping may be used as a
measure of H.

b) The whole of the heat loss from the cylindrical copper element is transferred to
the air flowing passed it.

c) Temperature gradients within the element are negligible, so that the

thermocouple embedded at the center gives a true indication of the effective surface
temperature.

A certain amount of heat is conducted from the element into the plastic extension
pieces. The extent of this effect has been determined by making comparative test
using copper elements with identical diameter but of varying length. From these
tests the equivalent additional surface area to be added to the real surface area of
the copper element in order to include the heat loss from the plastic extensions has
been calculated. This means that in the calculations an equivalent length has to be
used instead off the true length. The equivalent length is found to be 8.4 mm more
than the true or real length of the copper element. With the above assumption it
may be shown that

Where T is the temperature of the element at any time t; Tf is the air temperature; Tj
is the
element temperature at t=0, A is the surface area of the element, h is the heat
transfer
coefficient, m is the mass of the element and C is the specific heat of the element.
From
equation
 equation (3) suggests that a plot of log (Ts −T ∞) against t should yield a straight line
of slope M, where M is given by:

Since all factors other than are known, h may be calculated from (4).
Neglecting the compressibility, the velocity of air upstream of the element, V, may be
calculated by:

Where H is the measured velocity head,

(the conversion factor 1 cm H2o = 98.1N /m2 must be used) and ρ is the air density
which can be calculated from (6).

EQUIPMENT
• Air pump
• Fan
• Throttle opening
• Test section
• Electrical heater
• Total head tube
• Thermometer
• Air inlet
• Digital thermometer
• Control panel
• Inclined manometer
• Watch timer
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
1. Air pump: This is likely used to generate a controlled and consistent flow of
air through the duct.
2. Fan: The fan is probably employed to enhance the forced convection by
increasing the velocity of the air flowing through the duct.
3. Throttle opening: This could be an adjustable opening or valve that allows
you to control the airflow rate through the duct, thereby regulating the
experimental conditions.
4. Test section: The main region where the heat transfer or forced convection
is being studied. It may contain the object or surface whose heat transfer
characteristics you want to measure.
5. Electrical heater: This is used to provide a controlled heat source in the test
section, allowing you to study heat transfer under forced convection
conditions.
6. Total head tube: This tube might be used to measure the total head of the
air flow, which includes both kinetic and potential energy components.
7. Thermometer: Used to measure the temperature at specific points within
the system, likely to determine the temperature gradient and heat transfer
rates.
8. Air inlet: This is where the air enters the experimental setup. It's the starting
point for the forced convection process.
9. Digital thermometer: An electronic thermometer that may provide more
accurate and precise temperature measurements compared to a traditional
thermometer.
10. Control panel: Used to adjust and monitor various parameters such as the
heater power, fan speed, and any other control aspects of the experiment.
11. Inclined manometer: This instrument is likely used to measure pressure
differences in the system, providing information about the airflow rate and
pressure distribution.
12. Watch timer: Used to measure the duration of the experiment, allowing for
precise control and observation of the time-dependent aspects of forced
convection.
This experimental setup appears to be designed for studying forced convection
heat transfer in a horizontal duct by controlling and measuring various parameters.
It's a common configuration in thermal and fluid dynamics experiments.
PROCEDURES
Apparatus Setup:
1. Assemble the experimental apparatus by inserting all Perspex rods into the
working section.
2. Place the copper element within the formed tube-bank created by the rods.
Choose the insertion point (first, second, third, or fourth line).
3. Position the opening of the total head tube of the manometer on the
horizontal centerline of the working section, facing upstream.
Experiment Execution:
1. Switch on and standardize the thermocouple potentiometer. Connect the
thermocouple wires to the potentiometer terminals.
2. Record the atmospheric temperature and pressure.
3. Start the fan and open the throttle valve at the air exit to achieve the
desired airflow rate. Record the manometer reading.
4. Remove the copper element from the working section, insert it into the
electric heater, and switch it on. When the element temperature reaches
70-80 °C, remove it from the heater and place it back in the working section.
Cooling Curve Measurements: 5. Select a temperature lower than the initial
temperature of the element after removal from the heater. Record this selected
temperature.
6. Observe the potentiometer needle and, when it passes through the selected
temperature, start a stopwatch.
7. Record the time at which the potentiometer needle passes every ten
degrees on the temperature scale.
8. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for different throttle valve settings.
Copper Element Properties:
• Diameter: 12.47mm
• True Length: 95.02mm
• Effective Length: 103.42mm
• Mass: 106.9g
• Specific Heat: 380 J/kg K
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
temp time p/qg delta P velocity Re havg Nu
30% Ti = 72C 0s 0.0005m 4.905 2.859196 2367.767 65.15715 31.86312275
T = 60C 44s
T = 50C 92s
50% Ti = 72C 0s 0.003m 29.43 7.003571 5799.822 86.23996 42.17303108
T = 60C 34s
T = 50C 68s
70% Ti = 72C 0s 0.008m 78.48 11.43678 9471.069 105.6944 51.6866222
T = 60C 28s
T = 50C 55s
100% Ti = 72C 0s 0.018m 176.58 17.15517 14206.6 145.1404 70.97652515
T = 60C 19s
T = 50C 43s
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RE AND NU
80
70.97652515
70

60
51.6866222
50 42.17303108
NU

40
31.86312275
30

20

10

0
2367.767292 5799.821695 9471.069168 14206.60375
RE

When the flow velocity increases, it enhances fluid motion and turbulence, leading
to increased momentum forces and improved heat transfer across the surface.
This improvement in heat transfer can be clearly observed when measuring
Nusselt number values, ultimately resulting in an increase in the Nusselt number
simultaneously with the increase in flow velocity. Therefore, the increase in flow
velocity can directly impact the increase in Nusselt number, indicating a direct
relationship between the two in this case.
Conclusion:
In this report, we addressed the theoretical background and main assumptions
regarding forced convection from a cylinder in cross-flow, focusing on heat
transfer dynamics. We explored heat loss transfer, negligible temperature gradients
within the cylinder, and heat conduction into plastic extensions. Through equations
and experiments, we established relationships between temperature, heat transfer
coefficient, surface area, and time. Understanding these principles is essential for
optimizing cooling systems, heat exchangers, and dynamic structures in
engineering applications. In conclusion, mastering these principles enhances
engineering design and performance.