HEC3521 Lab 3 - Free Convection

Sarawak Campus
Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Science

Higher Education Division
Experiment 3: Free Convection

Laboratory Manual
HEC3521
Process Heat Transfer
Semester 1, 2015
Version Date (10 April, 2015)
HEC 3521 Experiment 2: Forced Convection
Objective
1. To demonstrate the basic principles of free convection heat transfer.
2. To determine the free convection heat transfer coefficients of air from various heated
geometries.
3. To calculate the dimensionless parameters such as Nusselt number, Rayleigh number, and
Prandtl number using the results obtained from the experiments.
4. To develop a correlation for the results obtained in objective 3.
Theory
Students should refer the heat convection lectures (weeks 8) in HEC3521Process Heat Transfer
unit.
Preparation of experiments
Equipment & Accessories
The unit is comprised of an epoxy coated Vertical Air Duct with transparent window and
instrument console.
This unit comes along with:
Handheld Air velocity Anemometer;
Handheld temperature probe and meter;
A digital AC wattmeter ;
Heater power output controller;
Fan and fan speed controller;
AC circuit breaker;
Test sections:
Flat plate;
Cylindrical pins array;
Finned surface.
Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak | Semester 1, 2015
HEC 3521 Experiment 3: Free Convection
Method
Students should measure the surface temperature of the heated geometry until steady state for
different values of power input. The heat transfer coefficient of air can be determined for the free
convection heat transfer experiments. Finally, students should develop the heat transfer
correlations for the free convection heat transfer of air from the different heated geometries.
Safety instructions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Do not touch the heat plate or air duct when conducting the experiments
Do not touch the fan when conducting experiments
Ensure that the heated geometry is cooled before removing from the air duct
Digital anemometer can be handled carefully and keep it away once the air velocity is
measured
5. Heat socket should be connected carefully to the power source and safety matters should
followed
6. Do not attempt to change the setting of the digital power meter
7. Ensure that the fan is switched off when conducting the natural convection experiments
Working procedure for forced convection experiments
1. Place the LS-17004-FFC Free and forced convection apparatus on a level table. Adjust the
levelling foot if necessary.
2. Plug the three pin plug to the 240 V AC main power supply and turn on the power supply.
3. Switch on the power supply unit (K) in front of the control panel.
4. Select the desired test specimen (G, H and Q) and measure all the dimensions of the
specimen using appropriate tools.
5. Place the test specimen to the heater placement (P). Lock it with the screws provided.
6. Connect the test specimen heater cable to the heater socket which is located at the back of
the control panel.
7. Take the digital handheld temperature probe and meter, and measure the initial
temperature (T) of the heater by putting the temperature probe into temperature point
(E). Ensure that the probe touching the surface of the heater and the fan is off.
8. Regulate the power supplied to 25 W by turning the power regulator (I). Keep an eye on
the digital power meter (J).
9. For every five minute elapsed time, measure the heater plate surface temperature (Tw) and
record the same to Table 1.
10. Continue the experiments until the steady state achieved (where, the temperature reading
at point D becomes constant).
11. Once the steady state achieved, regulate the power to 60 W and repeat steps 9 and 10.
12. Repeat the experiments with 100 W.
HEC 3521 Experiment 3: Free Convection
Test Specimen:
Initial Temperature of the heater, :
Power
Air Velocity (m/s)
Time(minutes)
0.5
T (C)
25 W
1.0
T (C)
1.5
T (C)
0.5
T (C)
60 W
1.0
T (C)
1.5
T (C)
0.5
T (C)
100 W
1.0
T (C)
1.5
T (C)
Table 1. Experimental Results Data

HEC 3521 Experiment 2: Forced Convection
Results and concluding remarks

At the end of the measurements, students should determine the following.
1. Construct a graph of air velocities against temperature different (Tw - T) for all the
power.
2. Plot the graph of Heater Plate Surface Temperature, Tw (C) versus time, t (min).
3. Plot the graph of temperature difference (Tw-T) versus time, t (min).
4. Determine the convective heat transfer coefficient of air from the heated geometry
considered.
5. Determine the Nusselt number, Rayleigh number, and Prandtl number.
6. Develop the heat transfer correlations for forced convection heat transfer of air from
heated geometries such as flat plate, cylindrical plate and finned plate.
7. Comment on the results obtained from heat convection experiments.
Your report should be typed using a highly legible serif font such as Times New Roman,
Arial, Calibri or Cambria. Decorative fonts or those which resemble handwriting are not
acceptable. Font size should be 11 or 12 points.
Lab Report Grading Rubric
Abstract/Summary
Introduction
Experimental
procedure
Results:
data, figures,
graphs, tables, etc.
Calculation
Discussion
Conclusions
Beginning or incomplete
Developing
Accomplished
Exemplary
Several major aspects of the

experiment are missing. Purpose is
erroneous or irrelevant. Student
displays a lack of understanding
about how to write an abstract.
Abstract misses one or more major

aspects of carrying out the
experiment or the results. Purpose is
partial, but unclear.
Very little background information

provided or information is incorrect
Some introductory information, but

still missing some major points
Procedures do not accurately reflect Procedures listed, not in logical

experiment. Cannot reproduce using order or are difficult to follow.
the given information.
Experiment would be difficult to
reproduce.
Abstract references most of the

major aspects of the experiment,
some minor details are missing.
Purpose identified, but somewhat
unclear.
Abstract contains reference to all

major aspects of carrying out the
experiment and the results, wellwritten. Purpose clear.
Introduction is nearly complete,

missing some minor points
Introduction complete and wellwritten; provides all necessary

background principles for the
experiment
Procedures are listed in a logical

order, but are not complete.
Experiment could be reproduced
with a bit more information.
Figures, graphs, tables contain

errors or are poorly constructed,
have missing titles, captions or
numbers, units missing or incorrect,
etc.
Most figures, graphs, tables OK,

All figures, graphs, tables are
some still missing some important or correctly drawn, but some have
required features
minor problems or could still be
improved
No calculations OR results are

inaccurate or mislabelled.
Some calculations are shown and

the results labelled appropriately.
Score
Procedures are listed in clearly and

in order. Experiment could be easily
reproduced from the notes.
3
All figures, graphs, tables are
correctly drawn, are numbered and
contain titles/captions.
3
Some calculations are shown and

the results are correct and labelled
appropriately
All calculations are shown and the

results are correct and labelled
appropriately.
Very incomplete or incorrect

interpretation of trends and
comparison of data indicating a lack
of understanding of results
Some of the results have been

correctly interpreted and discussed;
partial but incomplete understanding
of results is still evident
Almost all of the results have been

correctly interpreted and discussed,
only minor improvements are
needed
All important trends and data

comparisons have been interpreted
correctly and discussed, good
understanding of results is conveyed
Conclusions missing or missing the

important points
Conclusions regarding major points

are drawn, but many are misstated,
indicating a lack of understanding
All important conclusions have been

drawn, could be better stated
All important conclusions have been

clearly made, student shows good
understanding
Spelling, grammar,
sentence structure
Frequent grammar and/or spelling

errors, writing style is rough and
immature
Occasional grammar/spelling errors,

generally readable with some rough
spots in writing style
Less than 3 grammar/spelling errors, All grammar/spelling correct and

mature, readable style
very well-written
Appearance and
formatting
Sections out of order, too much

handwritten copy, sloppy formatting
Sections in order, contains the

minimum allowable amount of
handwritten copy, formatting is
rough but readable
All sections in order, formatting

generally good but could still be
improved
2
All sections in order, well-formatted,
very readable
2
Total:
/30

HEC3521 Lab 3 - Free Convection

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HEC3521 Lab 3 - Free Convection

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

HEC3521 Lab 3 - Free Convection

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sarawak Campus

Faculty of Engineering, Computing & Science

Experiment 3: Free Convection

HEC 3521 Experiment 2: Forced Convection

HEC 3521 Experiment 3: Free Convection

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak | Semester 1, 2015

HEC 3521 Experiment 3: Free Convection

Table 1. Experimental Results Data

HEC 3521 Experiment 2: Forced Convection

Results and concluding remarks

Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak | Semester 1, 2015

Lab Report Grading Rubric

Several major aspects of the

Abstract misses one or more major

Very little background information

Some introductory information, but

Procedures do not accurately reflect Procedures listed, not in logical

Abstract references most of the

Abstract contains reference to all

Introduction is nearly complete,

Introduction complete and wellwritten; provides all necessary

Procedures are listed in a logical

Figures, graphs, tables contain

Most figures, graphs, tables OK,

No calculations OR results are

Some calculations are shown and

Procedures are listed in clearly and

Some calculations are shown and

All calculations are shown and the

Very incomplete or incorrect

Some of the results have been

Almost all of the results have been

All important trends and data

Conclusions missing or missing the

Conclusions regarding major points

All important conclusions have been

All important conclusions have been

Frequent grammar and/or spelling

Occasional grammar/spelling errors,

Less than 3 grammar/spelling errors, All grammar/spelling correct and

Sections out of order, too much

Sections in order, contains the

All sections in order, formatting

You might also like