Equipment Description: Heat Conduction
The one-dimensional heat conduction experiment is located in the Chemical and
Fuels Engineering Senior Lab, MEB room 3520. Three solid metal rods (0.5” aluminum,
1.0” aluminum, and 1.0” stainless steel) are affixed to a steam chamber. Heat conduction
through the rods may be considered to be approximately one-dimensional because of the
large aspect ratio of the rods. Each rod is fitted with ten thermocouples to measure
temperature distribution. The steam chamber heats the rods and may be considered a
constant temperature energy source. Natural convection cools the rods. Once steady state
conditions are achieved, the temperature variation down the length of the rods may be
recorded. The temperature distribution, ambient temperature, rod dimensions and
material properties may be used to determine the heat rate through the rods and the heat
transfer coefficient with one-dimensional heat rate equations and statistical methods for
curve fitting. Several other interesting investigations include calculation of fin efficiency
and effectiveness, determination of whether infinite rod approximations are valid,
comparison to theoretical predictions (1-D and 2-D), and systematic determination of
error sources.