ENME 471 Heat Transfer Laboratory Experiment 1: Heat Transfer Measurements using a Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

(TA: Mr. Alex Kuzmin [avkuzmin@ucalgary.ca]) Objectives: i) ii) To demonstrate the principles of temperature measurement using a thermal imaging infrared camera. To demonstrate the principles of one dimensional conduction within a block (Chapter 4 of Incropera and DeWitt), natural convection (Chapter 9) and radiation (Chapter 12) from the free surfaces.

Introduction: One-dimensional heat transfer is used extensively for the analysis of many different types of heat transfer problems. The experiment performed here involves what can be approximated as onedimensional conduction through aluminum round stock that is insulated around the perimeter. The heat that conducts through the block is then transferred to the room environment via both convection and radiation. The temperature of the free surface is measured using an infrared camera. A schematic of the aluminum round stock is shown in Fig. 1.

Constant Heat Flux

Cartridge Heater

Thermocouple Holes

Insulated Surface

50.8 mm

50.8 mm

50.8 mm

50.8 mm

50.8 mm

1.6 mm

152.4 mm

Thermocouple Locations

Convection & Radiation Surface Insulated Surface

330.2 mm
Figure 1: Schematic of Heated Block 1 ENME 471

#1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

Apparatus: Thermovision 470 PRO Camera: In this laboratory experiment an Agema Thermovision 470 Pro camera is used to measure the exposed surface temperature of an aluminum free surface. It detects heat, or more precisely, the part of the electromagnetic spectrum referred to as the infrared. The infrared spectral band lies between the microwave band and the visible light band. As described in the AGEMA Thermovision 470 PRO Series Operating Manual, the MCT (Mercury Cadmium Telluride) detector in the camera is sensitive to wavelengths in the range of 2 - 5 m (visible light is 0.4 0.75 m). The detector is maintained at a temperature of -70oC using a 3-stage thermoelectric cooler (Peltier element) incorporated into the detector capsule. The electromagnetic energy radiating from the object is focused by an infrared lens onto an oscillating mirror, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The optical output from the oscillating mirror is focused by three fixed mirrors onto a horizontal mirror polygon which rotates at 24,000 rpm. The motors for the oscillating mirror and the polygon are synchronized in such a way that a 20 Hz frame of 140 visible lines is produced. The reflected beam from the horizontal mirror polygon is passed through a set of relay optics containing a selectable aperture and filter unit and finally focused onto a point detector.

Figure 2: Cutaway view of Thermovision 470 PRO Camera (image taken from AGEMA Thermovision 470 PRO Series Operating Manual) The measurement range of the camera is -20oC to 500oC with an accuracy of + 2oC (+ 2% of range). Increased accuracy can be obtained by restricting the temperature sensing range, by measuring only temperatures near the center of the image plane, and by averaging or integrating an entire series of consecutive images in order to filter out detector noise. All of these will be using during this laboratory in order to improve accuracy to approximately + 0.1oC. There are many features on the camera that can be adjusted depending on the particular analysis being preformed. The procedure section of this laboratory handout will give a brief outline of several features needed for the lab. The lab instructor has been given a more comprehensive briefing operating the camera, and will be able to help with further description and operation of the camera.

2 ENME 471 #1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

Traversing Mechanism: The camera is mounted to a two-dimensional manual traversing mechanism so that the optic axis of the camera can be moved to cover the entire exposed free surface. It has been found that temperature measured off the central optic axis of the camera is in error. Therefore, for this laboratory the face of the cylinder will be traversed to get individual temperature measurements. The pitch of the screws on both axes is sixteen threads per inch, or for every revolution of the handle, the camera will move 1/16 of an inch. Again, as for the camera description, the procedure section will outline briefly how to traverse the free surface and take measurements. As before, the best resource will be your laboratory instructor. Test Cylinder: The 6 (152.4 mm) diameter aluminum cylinder has a diameter 120 volt 100 watt resistance cartridge heater placed in a hole opposite the camera target end. Although the cartridge heater generates heat along a line, it can be assumed that the heat flux along the axis of the aluminum cylinder changes to planar or one-dimensional conduction near the free surface. The entire aluminum cylinder is 13 (330.2 mm) long and is encapsulated along its length by high temperature mineral wool insulation. Starting from the measurement side is a series of thermocouples placed every 2 (50.8 mm) that are drilled into and reach the central axis of the cylinder (Fig. 1). The cylinder has been attached to a sheet metal stand which in turn has been semi-permanently attached to the rack holding the traverse mechanism and camera. When the apparatus is set up for operation, the distance from the face of the cylinder to the camera lens is approximately 44 cm. Prior to the lab, the cylinder has been given time to reach thermal equilibrium (approximately 24 HRS). The face of the cylinder has had indentations machined on its free surface at regular intervals in order to be able to accurately position the camera center relative to the surface (Fig. 3). The effect the dimples have is to modify the emissivity of the sample and thereby produce an apparent temperature difference in the cameras image.

6 DIA
16 dots on 1 spacing

CL

CL
Figure 3: Indentations on Free Surface 3 ENME 471 #1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

Procedure: Temperature Measurements: 1. Record the six thermocouple temperatures displayed by the computer, locations as illustrated in Fig. 1. 2. Record the room temperature. Camera Setup: 3. Turn on the camera and allow the detector to reach its operating temperature (-70o C usually 5 + minutes). 4. Press the ISO button twice to place cross hairs in the field of view. 5. Using the two traversing screws, move the camera until the crosshairs are near the center of the free surface. 6. Press and hold the MENU button while simultaneously pressing < or > until the number beside MAG (Magnification) is highlighted. 7. Release the MENU button and use < or > to change the value to X2. 8. Double press both the LEVEL and then SENS (Sensitivity) to automatically set those variables. 9. If the zoomed in image continues to change after doing this, then the detector has not reached its operating temperature. Only proceed once the image doesnt change after double pressing the SENS control. a. These first steps will have set the camera so that it has the maximum sensitivity across the section of the cylinder in the display. (Note: if the cooler insulation background was used for auto leveling and sensitivity the temperature resolution across the face would be severely limited.) 10. Press and release the MENU button, then use <<, <, >, >> to change MAG to X1 and return to the full view of the cylinder. If necessary, adjust the cameras focus to obtain good resolution of the dimples on the free surface. Camera Calibration: Make sure the thermocouple at the front of the cylinder is inserted fully (to the central axis) in its hole. The emissivity value of the camera is changed by pressing and holding the MENU button and using <<, <, >, >> until the number beside EMISS is highlighted. In the same manner as used during Camera Setup, once the MENU button is released the emissivity value can be changed by toggling the <<, <, >, >> keys. It should be adjusted to give the minimum difference between the actual temperature, (read using LabVIEW on the computer) and the apparent temperature of the spot at the crosshairs. The temperature at the crosshairs is indicated on the screen, and is the value in the top right hand side of the screen beside SPO. Data Collection: The data collection survey is illustrated in Fig. 4, and data is to be collected at points spaced apart. Light gray (or yellow) points represent points where a temperature measurement is to be made. Because of time constraints, skip over squares that are white. Temperature measurements at the dimples result in large errors, and, like the white squares of the chart, should not be determined experimentally, but rather inferred from neighboring temperatures. It is recommended that data collection begin at the bottom and work up in an orderly fashion towards the top, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Get temperatures along the bottom (-2.75) in increments (4 complete handle turns). Once one level is done, raise the camera with the vertical 4 ENME 471 #1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

traverse by (4 turns) and proceed across the cylinder face in or increments as suggested by Fig. 4. If the crosshairs are too near the edge of the cylinder temperature measurements may be compromised. The laboratory instructor will demonstrate how to proceed and track your location as you go. Temperature collection at each point is as follows: 1. Acquire an integrated image by pressing the AUX button. This will integrate the number of times shown beside the heading INTEGR on the lower right hand side of the display. Once done, the screen will be frozen and further analysis can be performed. 2. Press the ISO button until SPO appears in the upper right and crosshairs are displayed on the screen. 3. Record the temperature displayed beside SPO and the location of the point. 4. Press FREEZE once to return to a live image. 5. Using the traverse mechanism, move the camera to the next point. 6. Press AUX again to acquire an integrated image, returning to point 1 in these steps. 7. Continue on until all of the points on the free surface have been measured.

Start Here

Figure 4: Data Collection Points and Traverse Directions

5 ENME 471 #1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera

Analysis: 1. Go to the course lab website and download the temperature offset correction data for this experiment and correct the six thermocouple temperature measurements prior to processing. 2. Using the thermocouple temperature data that you collect, quantify the amount of heat that flows from the electrical resistance heater to the free surface. [Hint: approximate the conduction as one dimensional, use linear regression to mitigate experimental error, and assume thermal conductivity k = 204 W/m.K] Knowing the area of the aluminum block, compute the average heat flux through the block and leaving the free surface in W/m2. The surface can be referred to as a constant heat-flux surface. 3. Create an Excel spreadsheet similar to the one shown in Fig. 4, filling in the temperatures that you measured using the infrared camera. Interpolate temperature values for both white and dark gray squares where no data was collected. For cells where you know all of the four adjacent temperatures (E6, K4, U8, for example), compute a 4-point average. For cells where you know only three or fewer adjacent temperatures, compute an average using up-down points (F7, J11, P15, for example) or an average using left-right points (K10, G16, S6, for example). Once all of the white squares have been approximated, complete the grid by computing a four point average for the dark gray (indentation) points. 4. Calculate the average temperature of the free surface. Knowing the heat flux from (2), compute the average convective heat transfer coefficient for the free surface. How does this compare to empirical equations given in the textbook for heated vertical surfaces under natural or free convection conditions? 5. Repeat your calculations from (4), only now assume that the heat flowing through the block leaves via both convection and radiation. How does the new average convective heat transfer coefficient compare to values given in the textbook? 6. The temperature across the free surface is not constant, nor does it vary in a random manner. By looking at your temperatures, do you notice any common trends in the way that the temperature changes and can you explain why? 7. Plot temperature as a function of position from the bottom (leading edge) of the free surface up. For example, plot temperatures for cells E21 through E7, F22 through F8, G23 through F9, and so on across the entire block to column U. Do the plotted temperatures reveal any new order? Can you explain? 8. Use your data from (7) to average all of the temperature position curves into one average curve. 9. Use your data from (8) to compute the convective heat transfer coefficient (hx) as a function of position from the leading edge (bottom) of the free surface. 10. Compare your plot of hx to the average value of h computed in both (4) and (5). Acknowledgement: The Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering would like to acknowledge the kind support of FLIR Systems Ltd. for their donation of the AGEMA Thermovision 470 PRO camera used in this experiment. Further information on FLIR Systems Ltd. can be found at www.flir.ca. Reference: Thermovision 450/470 PRO Series Operating Manual, AGEMA Publ. no 557 024, AGEMA Infrared Systems AB, 1994.

6 ENME 471 #1: Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera