Version: September 11, 2014

UNSTEADY-STATE HEAT TRANSFER

If you have a laptop with Matlab installed, please bring to lab the day of your experiment. You
may work together to develop the code, but do not share code directly with others. In other
words, the code must be individually written and annotated.
Introduction and Scope
Heat conduction is one of the fundamental mechanisms for the transfer of energy. In this
experiment, the conduction of heat through solid bars under unsteady-state conditions is
studied. Experimentally determined temperature profiles are then compared to those predicted
from Fouriers Law.
Experimental
The equipment consists of ice and water baths, a data acquisition system, and aluminum and
Plexiglas cylinders containing thermocouples at various radial positions (see Schematics and
Specifications).
For Plexiglas:

specific gravity = 1.18

thermal conductivity = 0.12 Btu/hr-ft-F
heat capacity = 0.35 Btu/lb-F

To conduct the experiment, place both cylinders in ice. Set the water bath temperature at
approximately 37C. (The temperature difference between the ice and water baths should be at
least 30C.) When the temperature of the cylinder is uniform at 0C, set the recording frequency
to minutes for the Plexiglas cylinder or seconds for the aluminum cylinder and quickly immerse
the cylinder in the water bath. The transfer from the ice to water must be done very quickly,
particularly for the aluminum cylinder. Record the temperature distribution in the rod (using
the computer) until the rod temperature approaches the bath temperature. The entire process
takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for the Plexiglas and 3 to 5 minutes for the aluminum. Note:
Before starting the experiment, be sure that you understand how to run the data
acquisition system on the computer.
While waiting for the cylinders to equilibrate, work on the Matlab code described below.
When you are finished with the experiment, take the cylinders out of the baths and let dry on
paper towels on the bench. Empty the ice bath water and setup to drain into a bucket as the ice
melts. Turn off the warm water bath.
Data and Analysis
Fouriers Law in three dimensions describes unsteady-state heat conduction [1]:

T
= ( 2T )
t
where

= k/ C p ( s )

(1)

C p( s)

= heat capacity of solid, J/kg-C

= solid density, kg/m3

Because the samples are cylinders with uniform wall conditions, the heat conduction is in only
two directions, radial and axial. Assuming that little heat loss out the ends of the rods and
therefore temperature remains uniform in the axial direction, heat transfer is only in the radial
direction and the temperature is a function of only time and radial position [1]:

2T 1 T
T
= [ 2 +
]
r r
t
r

(2)

What is/are the heat transfer mechanism(s) a) from the water to the cylinder and b) through the
cylinder? If there is more than one type of heat transfer, how do the rates compare? Is/are the
controlling (rate limiting) mechanism(s) different for the two cylinders? Based on the controlling
mechanism(s), does a simplified version of Eqn (2) describe the temperature-time behavior of
either the aluminum or Plexiglas?
Solve Eqn (2) numerically using Matlab (e.g., pdepe solver), and where appropriate, use at least
one other method to arrive at a solution for Eqn (2):
One can arrive at solutions for Eqn (2) by multiple methods:
- Use the simplified version of Eqn (2) mentioned previously
- Most heat transfer texts provide graphical solutions of Eqn (2) for multiple geometries
(Heisler charts); use these charts to analyze data from just 3 thermocouples
Compare the experimental and calculated temperature profiles. Comment on why they might be
different. Comment on the differences between the aluminum and Plexiglas samples when they
are subjected to a step change in external temperature. Where appropriate, calculate percent
differences and the statistical significance of differences between results. Provide your raw data
as plots and show all sample calculations.

Bibliography
1.

Welty, J.R., Wicks, C.E., Wilson, R.W., and Rorrer, G. Fundamentals of Momentum, Mass
and Heat Transfer. 4th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 2001. Chapter 18: UnsteadyState Heat Conduction.

Schematic of Plexiglas Bar

Left: end view, Right: side view

a = the x distance between thermocouples
b = the r distance between thermocouple radii
c = the x distance from the end of the bar to the closest thermocouple
Plexiglas Bar Specifications
OD = 3"
a = "
Length = 24"
b = "

Thermocouple
#
1
2
3
4
5
6

c = 2"

x distance from the end of

the bar (in)
3.25
3.00
2.75
2.50
2.25
2.00

r radius of the thermocouple from the bar

centerline (in)
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25

Schematic of Aluminum Bar

Left: end view, Right: side view

a = the x distance between thermocouples
b = the r distance between thermocouple radii
c = the x distance from the end of the bar to the closest thermocouple
Aluminum Bar Specifications
OD = 3"
a = "
Length = 24"
b = "
Thermocouple
#
1
2
3
4
5
6

c = "

x distance from the end of

the bar (in)
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
0.75
0.50

r radius of the thermocouple from the bar

centerline (in)
1.25
1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00