MEE 332: Heat Transfer Sessional
Level-3/Semester-1
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Guidelines for lab report
1. Objectives
Experiment no.: 02 2. Apparatus
3. Schematic diagram of the experimental setup
4. Data Sheet
Name of the Experiments: Heat Transfer from a Fin 5. Sample calculation
6. Results
1.1 Objective 7. Graph( Tecplot/Excel/MATLAB/Python/Manual)
8. Discussion.
The objective of this experiment is to study the rate of heat transfer from the fins by
comparing experimental temperature measurements with the values expected from the
theory. The concepts of fin efficiency and fin effectiveness will also be examined.
1.2 Specification
See the apparatus manual for the Edibon TXC-SEB unit.
1.3 Experimental Procedure for Experiment no. 2
1. Insert the circular cross section fin in the support, being the fin in contact the resistor.
2. Fix the fin tip to the support, making sure that the insulator is correctly placed.
3. Start the resistor. Monitor the temperatures until a steady state is reached.
4. Calculate values of non-dimensional temperature profile, θ and m using the following
equations for the fin with insulated fin tip that is used in the experiment:
𝑇(𝑥) − 𝑇∞ cosh 𝑚(𝐿 − 𝑥)
𝜃= =
𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ cosh(𝑚𝐿)
Where,
T(x): Temperature at distance x (°C)
T∞: Ambient temperature (°C)
Tb: Temperature at the base of the fin or source temperature (°C)
L: Total length of the fin (m)
x: The distance at which the temperature reading T(x) has been taken (m)
5. The distance for each thermocouple can be measured using the following equation:
𝑥 = 𝑎0 + (𝑛 − 1)𝑎
Where,
a0: The distance of the first thermocouple point from the base (m)
n: The sequential position of thermocouple whose reading is being taken (m)
a: The distance between two thermocouple points (m)
6. Use values of m to determine the convection coefficient h for each location where the
temperature T is measured using the following relationship between m and h:
ℎ𝑝
𝑚2 =
𝑘𝐴𝑐
Where,
h: Convection heat transfer coefficient at the point where each temperature reading
is taken (W/m2.K)
p: Perimeter of the fin (m)
k: Thermal conductivity of the fin material (W/m.K)
Ac: Cross-sectional area of the fin (m2)
7. Represent in a graph the convection coefficient (vertical axis) as a function of the
temperature.
8. Make a graph of temperature T versus x.
9. Calculate the efficiency (η) and effectiveness (ε) of the fin with insulated fin tip from
the following equations:
tanh(𝑚𝐿)
𝜂=
𝑚𝐿
𝜀 = tanh(𝑚𝐿)
1.4 Sample Data Table for Experiment no. 2
Lenth of the fin, L (m):
Diameter of the fin, d (m):
Material of the fin:
Cross-section of the fin:
Distance of the first thermocouple point from the base, a0 (m):
Distance between two thermocouple points, a (m):
Thermal conductivity of the fin material, k (W/m.K):
Base temperature, Tb (°C):
Ambient temperature, T∞ (°C):
Perimeter of the fin, p (m):
Cross-sectional area of the fin, Ac (m2):
Table for insulated fin tip:
SL h
x (m) T(x) (°C) θ m η ε
No. (W/m2.K)
Average convective heat transfer coefficient, havg =
Average efficiency, ηavg =
Average effectiveness, εavg =
Table for non-insulated fin tip:
SL T(x) Ac /p h
x (m) θ m η ε
No. (°C) (m) (W/m2.K)
Average convective heat transfer coefficient, havg =
Average efficiency, ηavg =
Average effectiveness, εavg =
1.5 Plots for Experiment 2
1. Plot the variation in Temperature with respect to distance (x).
2. Plot the variation in convective heat transfer coefficient (h) with respect to
distance (x).
3. Plot the variation in efficiency (η) with respect to distance (x).
4. Plot the variation in effectiveness (ε) with respect to distance (x).
