Experiment 4: Heat Transfer through composite wall
Aim:
To plot temperature gradient along the composite wall structure.
Apparatus:
• Composite wall equipment
• Stopwatch.
Theory:
The general equation, flow = driving force/resistance can be applied to Heat transfer. For
conduction, the resistance is b/kA.
b = Thickness
k = Thermal conductivity
A = Area perpendicular to direction of heat flow of the given structure.
For multilayer resistance the above equation can be applied to each layer & for overall;
i.e. ΔT1/R1 = ΔT2/R2 = ΔT3/R3
Overall temperature difference
ΔT = ΔT1 + ΔT2 + ΔT2
Resistance
R = R1 + R2 + R3
When a graph of Temperature v/s Thickness of insulation is drawn depending the resistance,
straight lines with different slopes can be obtained.
Procedure:
1. Switch on the heater.
By varying the Dimmerstat, adjust the input at desired value.
2. Take readings of all the temperature sensors at an interval of 10 minutes, after steady
temperature is achieved.
3. Note down readings in observation table.
Precautions:
1. Keep the Dimmerstat to zero before starting the experiment.
2. Increase the heat input slowly.
3. Keep the assembly undisturbed.
4. Operate selector switches of the temperature indicator gently.
5. Do not exceed the heater input beyond 130 watts
Diagram:
Result:
Set TA TB TC TD
I 52.55 oC 50.75 oC 37.85 oC 34.15 oC
II 62.25 oC 59.6 oC 41.15 oC 36.15 oC
III 75.5 oC 71.7 oC 45.35 oC 38.55 oC
Average 63.43 oC 60.68 oC 41.45 oC 36.27 oC
Conclusion:
It was observed that the average of temperature along the composite walls decrease as the
thickness of wall increases. Hence, the increase in thickness increased the resistance to heat
transfer.
