FREE AND

HEAT AND MASS

FORCED
TRANSFER
CONVECTION
LAB REPORT

Submitted to:
Mr. Ahmad Adnan
Submitted by:
Malik Hamza Khalid
(120501040)

FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION

Page 17

Table of Contents
1.

ABSTRACT:....................................................................................................................... 2

2.

TITLE: FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION.........................................................................3

2.1.

OBJECTVE:................................................................................................................. 3

2.2.

FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION HEAT EXCHANGER.................................................3

2.3.

INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 3

2.4.

DESCRIPTION:............................................................................................................ 3

2.5.

EXPERIMENTAL CAPABILITIES..................................................................................... 4

2.6.

THEORY...................................................................................................................... 4

2.6.1.

FREE CONVECTION................................................................................................. 4

2.6.2.

FORCED CONVECTION:........................................................................................... 4

EXTENDED SURFACE........................................................................................................... 5
2.6.3.

TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ALONG EXTENDED SURFACE...................................6

2.6.4.

HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL FLAT PLANE IN FREE CONVECTION:...........................6

2.7.

PROCEDURE............................................................................................................... 7

2.8.

EXPERIMENT:............................................................................................................. 7

2.8.1.

OBJECTIVE.............................................................................................................. 7

2.8.2.

PROCEDURE:.......................................................................................................... 8

4.1.1.

OBSERVATIONS:...................................................................................................... 8

2.8.4.

Graph.................................................................................................................. 8

3 . Experiment # 5................................................................................................................ 9
3.1.

Objectives.................................................................................................................. 9

3.2.

Equipment Set-Up...................................................................................................... 9

3.3.

Equipment setup..................................................................................................... 10

3.4.

Procedure................................................................................................................ 10

3.5

Observations........................................................................................................... 10

3.6.

Graph....................................................................................................................... 11
CONCLUSION:.......................................................................................................... 11

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1. ABSTRACT:
The gist of this experiment is to study one of the modes of heat transfer
convection. Convection has two types; forced and free convection. In former we
study the relation between power and surface temperature. Whereas later deals
with the study of relationship between fan velocity and temperature. Both of these
relations are represented graphically to analyze and interpret the data.

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2. TITLE: FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION

2.1.
OBJECTVE:
The main objective of this experiment is to study the characteristics of free and forced
convection.
2.2.

FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION HEAT EXCHANGER

2.3.
INTRODUCTION
Heat transfer by simultaneous conduction and convection, whether free or forced, forms
the basis of most industrial heat exchangers and related equipment. The measurement and
prediction of heat transfer coefficients for such circumstances is achieved in the EES Free
& Forced Convection Heat Exchanger by studying the temperature profiles and heat
flux in an air duct with associated flat and extended transfer surfaces. The vertical duct is
so constructed that the air temperature and velocity can be readily measured, and a
variety of plug-in modules of heated solid surfaces of known dimensions can be presented
to the air stream for detailed study. A fan situated at the top of the duct provides the air
stream for forced convection experiments.
A Control Panel contains temperature measurement, power control, and fan speed control
circuits with appropriate instrumentation. Temperature measurement, to a resolution of 1 oC
is effected using Thermocouple sensors with direct digital read-out in 0C.
Air velocity is measured with portable anemometer mounted on the duct.
The power control circuit provides a continuously variable, electrical output of 0-100 watts
with a direct read-out in watts.
Using the instrumentation provided, free and forced convective heat transfer coefficients
may be determined for: 1. A flat surface
2. An array of cylinders (pinned heat sink)
3. An array of fins (finned heat sink)
Each module may be used independently on the bench, to establish free convection
coefficients for horizontal orientation.
The apparatus is fully self-contained.
2.4.
DESCRIPTION:
The EES Free & Forced Convection Heat Exchanger consists of a vertical rectangular
duct supported by stand and a control panel. A flat plate pinned or finned exchanger may
be installed in the duct and secured by a quick-release catch on each side. Each exchanger
incorporates an electric heating element with thermostatic protection against overheating.
The temperature at the base of each exchanger is monitored by a thermistor sensor with
connecting lead.
The exchanger in use may be viewed through an acrylic window in the wall of the duct.
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An upward flow of air may be generated in the duct with a variable speed fan mounted at
the top of rectangular duct.
Air velocity in the duct, whether natural or forced, is indicated on a portable anemometer
held in a bracket on the duct wall. The anemometer sensor is inserted through the wall of
the duct.
Temperature sensors are provided for the measurement of the in-going and out-going air
temperatures together with surface temperatures of exchanger pins and fins. A digital
readout indicates the temperature using a thermistor probe connected to a flexible lead.
These temperatures are determined by inserting the probe through access holes in the duct
wall.
A control panel incorporates a variable power regulator with a digital readout to control and
indicate power supplied to the exchanger on test. The exchanger is connected to the panel
via the supply lead. A variable low voltage D.C. supply is provided for the fan via the supply
lead.
Power is supplied to the equipment via a supply lead connected to control panel.
1
2
3
4
5

2.5.
EXPERIMENTAL CAPABILITIES
Demonstration of the relationship between input and surface temperature in free
convection.
Demonstration of the relationship between input and surface temperature in forced
convection.
Demonstration of the use of extended surfaces to improve heat transfer from the
surface.
To determine the temperature distribution along an extended surface.
Comparison of a horizontal and vertical flat plate in free convection.
2.6.

THEORY

2.6.1.FREE CONVECTION
A heated surface dissipates heat primarily through a process called convection. Heat is
also dissipated by conduction and radiation, however these effects are not considered in
this experiment. Air in contact with the hot surface is heated by the surface and rises due
to a reduction in density. The heated air is replaced by cooler air which is in turn heated by
the surface and rises. This process is called free convection.
The hotter the temperature of the surface, the greater the convective currents and more
heat (power) will be dissipated. If more power is supplied to a surface, the temperature of
the surface must rise to dissipate this power.

Watt

Typical graph of power against surface temperature

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2.6.2.FORCED CONVECTION:
In free convection the heat transfer rate from the surface is limited by the small
movements of air generated by this heat. More heat is transferred if the air velocity is
increased over the heated surface. This process of assisting the movement of air over the
heated surface is called Forced Convection. Therefore a heated surface experiencing
forced convection will have a lower surface temperature than that of the same surface in
free convection, for the same power input.

tH - tA

Velocit
y
m/s

tH tA
Typical graph of air velocity against surface temperature

EXTENDED SURFACE
Heat transfer from an object can be improved by increasing the surface area in contact with
the air. In practice it may be difficult to increase the size of the body to suit. In these
circumstances the surface area in contact with the air may be increased by adding fins or
pins normal to the surface. These features are called extended surfaces. A typical example
is the use of fins on the cylinder and head of an air cooled petrol engine. The effect of
extended surfaces can be demonstrated by comparing finned and pinned surfaces with a
flat plate under the same conditions of power input and airflow.

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Air
Velocit
y

tH - tA
Typical graph of air velocity against surface temperature

2.6.3. TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ALONG EXTENDED SURFACE

o

C
For a heat exchanger to be 100% efficient, the whole of the extended
surface must be at
the same temperature as the backplane. In practice, this cannot occur because the flow of
heat along the pins or fins by conduction causes a temperature gradient to occur. The
greater this gradient, the less efficient the heat exchanger will be.
The efficiency of the heat exchanger must not be confused with the effect of a change in
surface area e.g. comparing pinned and finned. For example, if the pinned and finned heat
exchangers supplied with the equipment are compared, the pin is more efficient than the
fin (slightly smaller temperature gradient) but the finned exchanger has a significantly
larger surface area than the pinned exchanger and can dissipate more heat for the same
surface temperature.

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PINNED
FINNED

Figure 4: Graph of surface temperature against distance from back

plate.

2.6.4.HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL FLAT PLANE IN FREE CONVECTION:

When a temperature difference is established between a wall and a stationary fluid, the
fluid adjacent to the wall will move upward if the wail temperature is higher than that of the
fluid and downward if the wall temperature is lower. Density gradients are set up in the
fluid resulting in buoyancy forces and free convective currents. The rate of heat transfer
depends mainly on the fluid motion. The orientation of the plate affects this movement of
air. A horizontal plate restricts the movement of air and reduces the heat transfer. The
same plate mounted vertically will give improved heat transfer.
2.7.
PROCEDURE
Start-up Procedures
1 Connect the mains input power supply plug to a nearest single-phase electrical
supply of 240VAC/50Hz.
2 Turn the heater power control knob and fan speed control knob fully anti-clockwise.
3 Connect the fan supply lead to the socket at the side of the control panel.
4 Connect the temperature probe lead to the socket beneath the control panel.
5 Clamp the flat plate heat exchanger into the duct using the two toggle clamps and
connect the heater power supply lead to the socket on the cover.
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6
7
8

Connect the plate temperature (TH) connector to the socket on the heat exchanger.
Place the meter into the bracket situated on the side of the duct.
Ensure that the sensor hole is aligned with the direction of the airflow when
inserting the probe through the wall of the duct.
9 Switch on the main power.
10 Check that the L.E.D. temperature meter and Volt/Ampere Meter are illuminated.
Check that the temperature meter indicates ambient temperature.
11 Increase the heater power in the exchanger by rotating the power control knob
clockwise. The power supplied to the exchanger should be shown in watts on the
meter.
12 Switch on the fan and increase the speed by rotating the fan speed control knob
clockwise.
13 Observe that the air velocity is indicated on the indicator.
14 Check that the plate temperature (TH) increases.
15 Set the heater power control and fan speed control knob to minimum.
16 Now you are ready for the following experiments.
Shut Down Procedures
1
2
2.8.

Switch off the heater and turn the power control knob fully anti-clockwise. Set the
fan speed control knob to maximum to cool down the hot plate heat exchanger.
Turn off the main power supply after plate heat exchanger has cooled down to
room temperature.
EXPERIMENT:

2.8.1.OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the relationship between power input and surface temperature in free
convection.
Equipment Set-Up:

W a ttm e te r (Q )
P la t e S e n s o r
T e m p e r a t u r e I n d ic a t o r
H e a te r
P ro b e
Sensor

2.8.2.PROCEDURE:
1. Remove the fan assembly from the top of the duct.
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2. Place the finned heat exchanger into the test duct.

3. Set the heater power control to 20 Watts (clockwise).
4. Allow sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions before noting the heated
plate temperature (tH) and ambient temperature (tA) into the table below.
5. Repeat this procedure at 40, 60 and 80 Watts.
6. Plot a graph of power against temperature (t H-tA
4.1.1.OBSERVATIONS:
Input
Power
Watts
23
58

Plate Temp
(tH)
C
33
35

Ambient Temp
(tA)
C
25
25

tH tA
C
8
10

Graph
Temperature(x axis) V/S Power(Y axis).
2.8.4.

Series 1
70
60
50
Series 1

40
30
20
10
0
8

FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION

10

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Experiment # 5

3.
3.1.

Objectives
To demonstrate the relationship between fan velocity and surface temperature in forced
convection.

Equipment Set-Up
Plate Sensor Heater Probe Sensor Air Flow Wattmeter (Q) Temperature Indicator
3.2.

3.3.

Equipment setup
A ir F lo w

W a ttm e te r (Q )
P la t e S e n s o r
T e m p e r a t u r e In d ic a t o r
H e a te r
P ro b e
S ensor

Procedure
1. Place the fan assembly on to the top of the duct.
2. Place the finned heat exchanger into the duct.
3. Set the heater power control to 50 Watts (clockwise). Allow sufficient time to achieve
steady state conditions before noting the heated plate temperature (tH) and the ambient
temperature (tA).
4. Set the fan speed control to give a reading of 0.5m/s on the thermal anemometer, allow
sufficient time to achieve steady state conditions. Record heated plate temperature (tH)
and ambient temperature (tA).
5. Repeat this procedure by setting the fan speed control to give 1.0m/s and 1.5m/s.
6. Plot a graph of air velocity against temperature. ( tH tA)
3.4.

Power input = 20 Watts

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Observations

3.5

Air Velocity

Plate Temp (tH)

Ambient Temp (tA)

C

tH tA
C

m/s
1.3
1.9
2.7

31
30
29

25
25
25

6
5
4

Graph
Temperature(x axis) V/S Fan Velocity(Y axis) .
3.6.

Series 1
3
2.5
2
Series 1
1.5
1
0.5
0
4

4.
CONCLUSION:
After conducting the experiment it was concluded that convection is a mode of heat
transfer which is clearly observed by the difference in the temperature of the plate and the
ambient temperature.Phenomenon of forced convection was also observed and it was
concluded that as the velocity of the moving fluid increases the heat transfer rate increases
and the temperature of the plate decreases due to this heat transfer. Graphical
representation is used to analyze the data.

FREE AND FORCED CONVECTION

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