HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH
COMPOSITE WALL
INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH COMPOSITE WALL
OBJECTIVE:
Study of conduction heat transfer in composite wall.
AIM:
To determine total thermal resistance and thermal conductivity of composite wall.
To calculate thermal conductivity of one material in composite wall.
To plot the temperature profile along the composite wall.
INTRODUCTION:
When a temperature gradient exists in a body, there is an energy transfer from the high temperature
region to the low temperature region. Energy is transferred by conduction and heat transfer rate per
unit area is proportional to the normal temperature gradient:
q ΔT
α
A ΔX
When the proportionality constant is inserted,
ΔT
q=−kA
ΔX
Where q is the heat transfer rate and T/ X is the temperature gradient in the direction of heat flow.
The positive constant k is called thermal conductivity of the material.
THEORY:
A direct application of Fourier’s law is the plane wall. Fourier’s equation:
kA
q=− ( T −T )
ΔX 2 1
Where the thermal conductivity is considered constant. The wall thickness is _X, and T1
and T2 are surface temperatures. If more than one material is present, as in the multiplayer
wall, the analysis would proceed as follows:
The temperature gradients in the three materials (A, B, C), the heat flow may be written
ΔT A ΔT B ΔT
q=−k A A =−k B A =−k C A C
ΔX A ΔX B ΔX C
DESCRIPTION:
The Apparatus consists of a heater sandwiched between two asbestos sheets. Three slabs of
different material are provided on both sides of heater, which forms a composite structure. A small
press- frame is provided to ensure the perfect contact between the slabs. A Variac is provided for
varying the input to the heater and measurement of input power is carried out by a Digital
Voltmeter & Digital Ammeter. Temperatures Sensors are embedded between inter faces of the
slab, to read the temperature at the surface. The experiment can be conducted at various values
of power input and calculations can be made accordingly.
UTILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Electricity Supply: Single Phase, 220 VAC, 50 Hz, 5-15Amp socket with earth connection.
2. Bench Area Required: 1m x 1m.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
Starting Procedure:
1. Ensure that Mains ON/OFF switch given on the panel is at OFF position & dimmerstat is at
zero position.
2. Connect electric supply to the set up.
3. Switch ON the Mains ON / OFF switch.
4. Set the heater input by the dimmer stat, voltmeter in the range 40 to 100 V.
5. After 1.5 hrs. note down the reading of voltmeter, ampere meter and temperature sensors in
the observation table after every 10 minutes interval till observing change in consecutive
readings of temperatures (± 0.2 oC).
CLOSING PROCEDURE:
1. After experiment is over set the dimmer stat to zero position.
2. Switch OFF the Mains ON/OFF switch.
3. Switch OFF electric supply to the set up.
OBSERVATION & CALCULATIONS:
DATA:
d = 0.15 m
X1 = 0.025 m
X2 = 0.019m
X3 = 0.012.7 m
OBSERVATION TABLE:
V A T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8
[Link] o o o o o o o o
Volts Amps C C C C C C C C
CALCULATIONS:
To plot the temperature profile,
Distance 0 20 35 47
Avg. Temp
( T 1 +T 2 )
=
At distance 0, average temp 2
( T 3 +T 4 )
=
At distance 20, average temp 2
( T 5 +T 6 )
=
At distance 35, average temp 2
( T 7 +T 8 )
=
At distance 47, average temp 2
Heat supplied by the heater,W =0 .86×V ×I , watts
W
Q=
Amount of Heat Transfer, 2 , watts
Q
q=
Heat Flux, A , W/m2
π
A= d 2
Where, 4 , m2
( T 1 −T 7 ) + ( T 2−T 8 )
ΔT =
Overall Temp. Difference 2 , oC
ΔT
Rt =
Total thermal resistance of composite wall q , oC m2/W
Total thickness of wall
ΔX = X 1 + X 2 + X 3 , m
q×ΔX
K eff =
Thermal Conductivity of composite wall ΔT , W/m oC
X3
K 3=
Thermal Conductivity of press wood
[ (
ΔT
q
X X
− 1+ 2
k1 k2 )] , W/m oC
NOMENCLATURE:
A = Area of heat transfer, m2
d = Diameter, m
I = Ammeter reading, amp
Keff = Thermal conductivity of composite wall, W/m oC
k1 = Thermal conductivity of cast iron, W/m oC
k2 = Thermal conductivity of Bakelite, W/m oC
k3 = Thermal conductivity of Press wood, W/m oC
Q = Amount of heat transfer, W
q = Heat flux, W/m2
Rt = Total thermal resistance of composite wall, oC m2/W
ΔT = Overall temperature difference, oC
T 1 & T2 = Interface temperature of 1ST slab and heater, oC
T 3 & T4 = Interface temperature of 1st and 2nd slab, oC
T 5 & T6 = Interface temperature of 2nd and 3rd slab, oC
T 7 & T8 = Top surface temperature of press wood, oC
V = Voltmeter reading, volts
W = Heat supplied by the heater, W
ΔX = Total thickness of wall, m
X1 = 1st Slab (Cast Iron slab) thickness, m
X2 = 2nd Slab (Bakelite Slab) thickness, m
X3 = 3rd (Press Wood Slab) slab thickness, m
PRECAUTION
1. Use the stabilize A.C. Single phase supply only. The voltage should not very more than
+ 1 volts
2. Keep Dimmerstat to zero before start and increase the voltage slowly.
3. Keep all the assembly undisturbed.
4. Remove air gap between plates by moving hand press gently.
5. Operate selector switch of temperature indicator gently.
There is a possibility of getting abrupt result if the supply voltage fluctuating or if the satisfactory
steady state condition is not reached.
