Title: Linear and Radial Heat Conduction Experiment

Objective: To examine the temperature profile and determine rate of heat

transfer for both linear and radial conduction.
Introduction:
Thermal conduction is the mode of heat transfer, which occurs in a material
by virtue of a temperature gradient. In the laboratory, a single dimensional
approach is required to demonstrate the basic law that relates rate of heat
flow to temperature gradient and area.
Theory:
Linear Conduction Heat Transfer (Homogeneous bar)
Fouriers Law states that:
dT
Q = kA dx
Q = heat flow rate, (W)
W
k = thermal conductivity of the material, ( k m
A = cross-sectional area of the conduction, (m2)
dT = changes of temperature between two points, (k)
dx = changes of displacement between two points, (m)
Radial Conduction Heat Transfer (Cylindrical)
When the inner and outer surfaces of a thick walled cylinder are each at a
uniform temperature, heat flows radially through the cylinder wall. From
continuity considerations the radial heatflow through successive layers in the
wall must be constant if the flow is steady but since area of successive layers

increases with radius, the temperature gradient must decrease with radius.
The amount of heat (Q), which is conducted across the cylinder wall per unit
time, is:

Q=

2 Lk ( T iT 0 )
R
ln 0
Ri

Q = heat flow rate, (W)

W
k = thermal conductivity of the material, ( k m
L = thickness of the conduction, (m)
Ti = inner section temperature, (K)
T0 = outer section temperature, (K)
R0 = outer radius, (m)
Ri = inner radius, (m)

Description:
Unit Assembly
The equipment comprises two heat-conducting specimens, a multi-section
bar for the examination of linear conduction and a metal disc for radial
conduction. A control panel supplies electrical power to the heaters and
shows readings for all relevant measurements.
A small flow of cooling water provides a heat sink at the end of the
conducting path in each specimen.

Figure 1: Unit Assembly for Heat Conduction Study Bench (Model: HE 105)
1. Control Panel

6. Thermocouple Connectors

2. Heater Power Indicator

7. Thermocouples

3. Heater Power Regulator

8. Radial Module

4. Temperature Indicator

9. Linear Module

5. Temperature Selector

Specifications:

Linear Module

Consists of the following sections:

i) Heater Section, Material = Brass, Diameter = 25 mm
ii) Cooler Section, Material = Brass, Diameter = 25 mm
iii) Interchangeable Test Section Insulated Brass Test Section with
Temperature Sensors Array (Diameter = 25 mm, Length = 30 mm)

Radial Module

Material: Brass, Diameter = 110 mm, Thickness = 3 mm

Instrumentations

Linear module consists of a maximum of 9 type K thermocouple temperature

sensors at 10 mm interval. For radial module, 6 type K thermocouple
temperature sensors at 10 mm interval along the radius are installed. Each
test modules are installed with a 100 Watt heater.

Procedure:
Linear Conduction Heat Transfer
1. The main switch was made sure to be initially off. Then a brass
conductor (25 mm diameter) section intermediate section was inserted
into the linear module and clamped together.
2. The temperature sensors T1 until T9 were installed to the test module
and the sensor leads were connected to the panel.
3. The heater supply lead for the linear conduction module was
connected to the power supply socket on the control panel.
4. The water supply was turned on and the water was ensured to be
flowed from the free end of the water pipe to drain.
5. The heater power control knob control panel was turned to the fully
anticlockwise position.
6. The power supply and main switch were switched on; the digital
readouts would be illuminated.
7. The heater was switched on and the heater power control was turned
to 5 Watts and sufficient time was allowed to achieve steady state
condition before the temperature at all temperature points were
recorded. This procedure was repeated for other input power between
0 to 20 watts. After each change, sufficient time was allowed to
achieve steady state conditions.
8. The temperature, T versus distance, x was plotted. The thermal
conductivity of the test section was calculated.

Calculations:
Linear Conduction Heat Transfer

Sample calculation for Q = 5 W

Thermal conductivity at T6
T6 = 38.4 + 273 = 311.4 K
dT = T5 T6 = 309.4 311.4 =

kT6 =

Q dx
A dT

kT6 =

5 W 0.01 m
2
0.000491m 2 K

50.916

2 K

W
K m

Sample calculation for Q = 10 W

Thermal conductivity at T2
T2 = 43.3 + 273 = 316.3 K
dT = T1 T2 = 317.3 316.3 =

kT2 =

Q dx
A dT

kT2 =

10W 0.01 m
0.000491m2 1 K

W
= 203.666 K m

Sample calculation for Q = 15 W

Thermal conductivity at T4
T4 = 45.8 + 273 = 318.8 K
dT = T3 T4 = 320.9 318.8 = 2.1 K

kT4 =

Q dx
A dT

kT4 =

15W 0.01 m
0.000491m2 2.1 K

145.476

W
K m

Sample calculation for Q = 20 W

Thermal conductivity at T8
T8 = 41.7 + 273 = 314.7 K
dT = T7 T8 = 316.7 314.7 = 2 K

kT8 =

Q dx
A dT

kT8 =

20W 0.01 m
0.000491m2 2 K

W
= 203.666 K m

Sample calculation for graph 1 (Q = 5 W)

Theoretical temperature T6

dT =

Q dx
A k avg
5W 0.01 m

dT =

0.000491m2 192.05

W
K m

= 0.53 K

Theoretical temperature T6 = theoretical temperature T5 dT

= 36.58 0.53
= 36.05

Sample calculation for graph 2 (Q = 10 W)

Theoretical temperature T2

dT =

Q dx
A k avg
10W 0.01 m

dT =

0.000491m2 192.05

W
K m

= 1.06 K

Theoretical temperature T2 = theoretical temperature T1 dT

= 44.30 1.06
= 43.24

Sample calculation for graph 3 (Q = 15 W)

Theoretical temperature T4

dT =

Q dx
A k avg
15W 0.01 m

dT =

0.000491m 192.05

W
K m

= 1.59 K

Theoretical temperature T4 = theoretical temperature T3 dT

= 47.52 1.59
= 45.93

Sample calculation for graph 4 (Q = 20 W)

Theoretical temperature T8

dT =

Q dx
A k avg
20W 0.01 m

dT =

0.000491m2 192.05

W
K m

= 2.12 K

Theoretical temperature T8 = theoretical temperature T7 dT

= 44.57 2.12
= 42.45

Procedure:
Radial Heat Transfer
1. The main switch was made sure to be initially off.
2. The temperature sensors T1 until T7 were installed to the radial test
module and the sensor leads were connected to the panel.
3. The heater supply lead for the radial conduction module was
connected to the power supply socket on the control panel.
4. The water supply was turned on and the water was ensured to be
flowed from the free end of the water pipe to drain.
5. The heater power control knob control panel was turned to the fully
anticlockwise position.

6. The power supply and main switch were switched on; the digital
readouts would be illuminated.
7. The heater was switched on and the heater power control was turned
to 5 Watts and sufficient time was allowed to achieve steady state
condition before the temperature at all temperature points were
recorded. This procedure was repeated for other input power between
0 to 20 watts. After each change, sufficient time was allowed to
achieve steady state conditions.
8. The temperature, T versus distance, r was plotted. The thermal
conductivity of the test section was calculated.

Calculations:
Radial Heat Transfer
Sample calculation for Q = 5 W
Thermal conductivity at T2
T2 = 35.8 + 273 = 308.8 K
dT = T2 T1 = 308.8 310.2 =

kT2 =

Ro
Ri
2 L dT

Q ln

1.4

kT2 =

0.02
0.01
2 ( 0.003 ) 1.4
5 ln

W
= 131.288 K m

Sample calculation for Q = 10 W

Thermal conductivity at T3
T3 = 36.4 + 273 = 309.4 K
dT = T3 T2 = 309.4 310.5=

kT3 =

kT3 =

1.1

Ro
Ri
2 L dT

Q ln

0.03
0.02
2 ( 0.003 ) 1.1
10 ln

W
= 193.095 K m

Sample calculation for Q = 15 W

Thermal conductivity at T4
T4 = 36.6 + 273 = 309.6 K
dT = T4 T3 = 309.6 311=

kT4 =

kT4 =

1.4

Ro
Ri
2 L dT

Q ln

0.04
0.03
2 ( 0.003 ) 1.4
15 ln

W
= 165.962 K m

Sample calculation for Q = 20 W

Thermal conductivity at T5
T5 = 37.2 + 273 = 310.2 K
dT = T5 T4 = 310.2 310.4=

0.2

kT5 =

kT5 =

Ro
Ri
2 L dT

Q ln

0.05
0.04
2 ( 0.003 ) 0.2
20 ln

= 1183.82 K m

Sample calculation for graph 1 (Q = 5 W)

Theoretical temperature T2

dT =

Q ln

Ro
Ri

2 L k avg

5 W ln

dT =

0.02
0.01

2 (0.003) 302.33

W
K m

= 0.608 K

Theoretical temperature T2 = theoretical temperature T1 + dT

= 37.20 + 0.608)
= 36.592

Sample calculation for graph 2 (Q = 10 W)

Theoretical temperature T3

dT =

Q ln

Ro
Ri

2 L k avg

10 W ln

dT =

0.03
0.02

W
2 (0.003) 302.33
K m

= 0.711 K

Theoretical temperature T3 = theoretical temperature T2 + dT

= 39.48 + 0.711)
= 38.769
Sample calculation for graph 3 (Q = 15 W)
Theoretical temperature T4

dT =

Q ln

Ro
Ri

2 L k avg
15 W ln

dT =

0.04
0.03

2 (0.003) 302.33

W
K m

= 0.757 K

Theoretical temperature T4 = theoretical temperature T3 + dT

= 42.21 + 0.757)
= 41.453

Sample calculation for graph 4 (Q = 20 W)

Theoretical temperature T5

dT =

Q ln

Ro
Ri

2 L k avg
20 W ln

dT =

0.05
0.04

W
2 (0.003) 302.33
K m

= 0.783 K

Theoretical temperature T5 = theoretical temperature T4 + dT

= 44.44 + 0.783)
= 43.657

Discussion:

Linear Conduction Heat Transfer

Thermal conduction is a phenomenon in which heat is transferred from a
region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. Thermal
conductivity characterizes the ability of a material to transfer heat. The
technique used in this experiment to measure thermal conductivity was the
steady state technique in which the system was given three minutes to reach
equilibrium.
From the results obtained, as the distance from the heater end
increased, the temperature decreased because thermal conduction was
taking place. From the plotted graph, the temperature varied linearly as a
function of x. Therefore, the experimental results have satisfied Fouriers Law
dT
of Heat Conduction: Q = kA dx . In the case of linear conduction heat
transfer, the relationship between temperature and distance from the heat
source must be linear. Other than that, the equation of Fouriers Law is only
valid for steady state heat flow in which heat flux does not vary with respect
to time.

The calculated thermal conductivity in this experiment is 192.05 W/mK

whereas the theoretical thermal conductivity of brass is 110 W/mK and they
have a percentage error of 74.6 %. There is a percentage error between
theoretical and calculated thermal conductivities because of several
experimental errors. Firstly, the temperature at T5 is inaccurate. During the
experiment, the temperature at T5 could not achieve steady state condition
and it kept fluctuated. This may due to technical errors occurred to the
thermocouple connector. Secondly, the material (brass) or other apparatus
may have contaminated which can lead to the inaccurate results. Thirdly,
three minutes given to the system to reach equilibrium may not sufficient.
The diameter of brass used in this experiment is 0.025 m. If a smaller
diameter of brass is used, the flow of heat is smaller. As the diameter
decreases, it becomes more resistive to heat transport. If the heat supply is
kept constant, then the decreasing in the diameter will be resulted in the
increasing of the temperature difference. This relationship is similar to the
analog of electric resistance. A higher resistance will cause a higher potential
difference if the current is kept constant.
The thermal conductivity of a stainless steel at 25

is 16 W/mK.

Since its thermal conductivity is smaller than the thermal conductivity of

brass, so it cannot transfer heat effectively as compared to brass. Stainless
steel is an alloy and it has impurities. The impurity atoms in the stainless
steel act as scattering centers, in which they will lower the efficiency of
electron motion. On the other hand, high purity metals such as brass are
able to transport heat effectively because the existed free electrons are not
easily scattered and they also have higher velocities. Therefore, stainless
steel which is highly alloyed is more resistive to heat transport compared to
brass.
Radial Conduction Heat Transfer

The second part of the experiment is radial conduction heat transfer

(cylindrical). The concept is similar with the linear conduction, and the only
difference is that the heat distribution is in radial direction. Similar with the
linear conduction, the temperature decreases as the radial distance from the
center of cylinder increases. The temperature distribution associated with radial
conduction through a cylindrical wall is logarithmic.
The calculated thermal conductivity for radial conduction is 302.33
W/mK whereas the calculated thermal conductivity for linear conduction is
192.05 W/mK and they have a percentage difference of 44.61%. Compared
with the theoretical thermal conductivity of brass (110 W/mK), the
percentage error for the calculated thermal conductivity for radial conduction
is 174.85%.
The calculated thermal conductivity for radial conduction has a higher
percentage error because of several reasons. Firstly, the sensor point T5 was
fault or defected and the temperature recorded was assumed and not the
actual temperature. Secondly, there may be imperfect contact between the
successive layers and due to this, there was a temperature drop across the
gap or interface.

Conclusion:
The temperature varies linearly as a function of x for linear conduction heat
transfer and the calculated thermal conductivity for brass is 192.05 W/mK.
The temperature distribution associated with radial conduction through a cylindrical wall is
logarithmic and the calculated thermal conductivity for brass is 302.33 W/mK.

References:
1. Chapter 17/ Thermal Properties. Retrieved 13 March 2014 from
http://www.engin.brown.edu/organizations/EWB/GISP/Callster%20%20chapter_17.pdf
2. PHYSICS. Retrieved 11 March 2014 from
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/51445/why-does-a-largerthermal-conductivity-provide-a-smaller-temperature-gradient
3. Answers. Retrieved 10 March 2014 from
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_the_experimental_value_of_the_spec
ific_heat_different_from_the_theoretical_value?#slide=19
4. http://webcabinet.tripod.com/Assignment/conduction.htm