Heat Conduction in a Fin

Heat Conduction in a FinBilal Hussein, Matthew Lloyd Qifeng Li

OutlineIntroductionBackgroundObjectivesMaterialsSafetyProcedure

TheoryResultsDiscussionErrorConclusionQuestions

IntroductionBilal HusseinIntroBackgroundObjectivesMaterialsSafetyProcedure

Matthew LloydTheoryResultsQifeng Li Results ContdDiscussionErrorConclusion

BackgroundHeat conduction is the process by which heat is directly transmitted through a substance without movement of the materialHeat conduction is spontaneous and driven by temperature differenceHeat conduction is the focus of this experiment

ObjectiveDetermine the optimum size and material for metal cooling fin. To do this, we must:Develop a solution to the dimensionless heat conduction equationCompare theoretical profile predictions with the actual measured temperatures for each thermometerCalculate the rate of heat removal of each finCompare performance of the two thermometers and comment on their accuracy

Materials

2 pair Thermal Gloves1 Thermocouple3 Hot Plates1 Infrared Thermometer

SafetyHot plate is set to 200CThermal gloves required when handling lab equipment to prevent burns

ProcedurePlace each fin on a separate hot plate with the large fin facing the groupTurn on the three hot plates to 200CMonitor the temperature of each plate until steady state is achievedMeasure each fin at 1 inch increments with the thermocoupleMeasure each fin at 1 inch increments with the infrared thermometerRotate each fin so the short fin faces the groupRepeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the short finsTurn off the three hot platesUse the thermal gloves to remove the fins from the hot plates

Theory

Theory

Results - Aluminum

Results - Copper

Results - Steel

Results Heat Loss

Results Heat Loss

Results Heat Loss

Results Heat Loss

Results Thermocouple vs Infrared

Results Thermocouple vs InfraredThermocoupleInfraredTemperature measurement taken directly from fin surfaceHigher degree of accuracyCan take a while to obtain measurementContact angle can affect resultsTemperature measurement taken at a distance from fin surfaceLess accurateMeasurement can be disrupted by frost, moisture, dust, fog, smoke or other particles in the airRequires adjustment for emmissitivity

DiscussionCopper has highest thermal conductivityStainless steel has lowest thermal conductivityThermocouple is more accurateTheoretical model matches trendsTheoretical model does not match measured dataHeat flux varies depending on substance

Cause For ErrorHot plate does not heat at constant 200 CelsiusFins do not lay flat against hot plateTheoretical model assumes T0 = 392IR not able to be adjusted for emmisitivityTime of exposure (copper)

ConclusionCopper has the highest rate of heat removal because it has the highest thermal conductivityStainless steel has the lowest rate of heat removal because it has the lowest thermal conductivityThe thermocouple is the more accurate of the two thermometersThe dimensionless heat conduction equation matches trends

Questions