Heat Diffusion

MSE 308
Jian-Ku Shang
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Heat Diffusion

Governed by Diffusion Equations

Heat Diffusion Equations

Fouriers Law
q(x; t) is the heat flux
k > 0 is the thermal conductivity
T(x; t) indicates the temperature

The heat equation

c is the heat capacity

D is the thermal diffusivity

Solutions to Heat Diffusion Equation:

a = D: thermal diffusivity

TASK: Given IC and BCs, from T = function (t,x), determine a = D: thermal diffusivity

Flash Method
for Measuring Thermal Diffusivity

Parker 1961

Lab Version

Sample in detector

Lens
Spectrum Detector

Halogen Lamp
To
Outlet

Chopper
To Choppers
Freq. Generator
Signal Out of Freq. Generator
To T-piece/ Reference In of Lock-in Amp

Detector
To T-piece/
Signal of Lock-in Amp

Experimental Procedures
Equipment and samples

Sample disks made of graphite and carbon-coated steel

Pyroelectric detector, lockin amplifier.
High intensity lamp; dc power supply; optical chopper;
Computer, plotting software, computerbased oscilloscope.

Procedure

Calibrate the detector (without the sample)

Collect the data on frequency response from 2 samples
Measure the phase angles at a function of the frequency
Conduct data analysis to find the thermal diffusivity

Calibration of Detector

Turn on light, detector and chopper

Set chopper to 4.5Hz
Minimize the light by shining in off direction as to not saturate the detector
Use the Easy Sense BNC Live Voltmeter in parallel (via T-piece) to ensure
a less noisy signal (at x.01V) and the reference and signal from detector are
measurable.
Set lock-in to appropriate Range:
High-pass filter: 1Hz
Low-pass filter 50Hz
Minimize the max voltage appropriately.
Change the time constant to 3 sec.

Record (type in excel) the Phase and Magnitude with Frequency

Increase the freq. in regular intervals and wait for the Phase and magnitude to
stablize before changing the freq and recording.
Continue to 30-40Hz

Sample

Adding sample
Unscrew Lense

Detector
Apply
15/16 diameter
Sample.
DO NOT
Touch Detector

Detector Side View

Screw a cover
without a lens
back on to keep
sample in place

Sample Measurements

Install sample
Turn on light, detector and chopper
Set chopper to 4.5Hz
Maximize the light hitting the sample by adjusting lens and distances.
Keep lock-in set to appropriate Range:
High-pass filter: 1Hz
Low-pass filter 50Hz
Minimize the max voltage appropriately.
Change the time constant to 3 sec.

Record (type in excel) the Phase and Magnitude with Frequency

Increase the freq. in regular intervals and wait for the Phase and magnitude to stabilize
before changing the frequency and recording.
Continue to ~30-40Hz or higher frequencies until you have less signal and singal may
not stabilize.

Data Analysis
Heat Equation

General Solution

T ( x, t )
2T ( x, t )
D
t
x 2
T ( x, t ) Aei [ kx t ] Be i [ kx t ]
k

i
i 2 f
f

(1 i )
D
D
D

2i f
A 2i fD A
D
J
A
2i fD

J D

BC: x = 0

2i fi
d it )
D
B A
2i f
sinh([
d it )
D
cosh(

IC: t =0, at x = d, T(x,t) = 0

T ( x, t ) A sinh(

2i f
2i f
x 2i ft ) B cosh(
x 2i ft )
D
D

Phase Analysis
At x = d,

J
T ( x d , t)
2i fD

1
e 2i ft
2i f
sinh(
d 2i ft )
D

Im{T (d , t )}
(d , t ) arctan(
) 2n
Re{T (d , t )}
(d , t )

f
D

2n

graph (x,t) vs. f (1/2) where the slope, m, is d

the thermal diffusivity is:

d2
m2

Sample Data for 0.8mm Carbon Steel

Angstroms method

A simple Rod Experiment

(Based on Angstroms Classic Exp.)
Heater

SiC or AlN rod.

Thermocouple
L
Steady-state:

DT ~ 10oC
T0

In practice,
t
t