This document describes an experiment to measure the temperature distribution through a composite plane wall and determine the overall heat transfer coefficient. Students will measure temperatures at different points along a specimen heated on one end and cooled on the other under varying voltages. The goal is to calculate the heat transfer through each material section and overall. Tables will record temperature, voltage, current and calculated heat transfer values at each step to analyze conduction through the combined materials. A graph of temperature vs. distance and comparison to theoretical expectations will also be produced.

1. JJ508
ENGINEERING
LABORATORY 3
THERMODYNAMICS 2
EXPERIMENT 2
HEAT TRANSFER 2

2. At the end of the lab session students should be able:
To measure the temperature distribution for
steady state conduction of energy through a
composite plane wall and determine the Overall
Heat Transfer Coefficient for the flow of heat
through a combination of different materials in
use.
Experiment Outcome

3. i. Unit H110A
ii. Material Stainless Steel Intermediate Specimen
Apparatus/Equipment

4.  Again following the above procedure ensure the cooling water
is flowing and then set the heater voltage V to approximately 9
Volts. This will provide a reasonable temperature gradient along
the length of the bar. If however the local cooling water supply
is at a high temperature (25-35 °C or more) then it may be
necessary to increase the voltage supplied to the heater. This
will increase the temperature difference between the hot and
cold end of the bar.
 Monitor temperature T1, T2, T3, T7, T8 until stable.
 When the temperatures are stabilized record: T1, T2, T3, T6, T7,
T8, V, and I.
Procedures

5.  Increase the heater voltage by
approximately 3-5 Volts and repeat
the above procedure again
recording the parameters T1, T2,
T3, T6, T7, T8, V, and I when
temperatures have stabilized.
 When completed, if no further
experiments are to be conducted
reduce the heater voltage to zero
and shut down the system.
Overleaf are sample test results
and illustrative calculations
showing the application of the
above theory.
Procedures

6. Table 1
Result/Data
Sample
No
T1 (°C) T2
(°C)
T3
(°C)
T4
(°C)
T5
(°C)
T6
(°C)
T7
(°C)
T8
(°C)
V
(Volt)
I
(Amps)
Distance
from T1
(m)

7.  Specimen cross sectional area, A = ……………..
 Conductivity of Brass heated and cooled section =……………..
 Conductivity of Stainless Steel intermediate section = …………
 Remarks:
∆𝑋ℎ𝑜𝑡 = 0.0375 𝑚
∆𝑋𝑖𝑛𝑡 = 0.0300 𝑚
∆𝑋𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑑 = 0.0371 𝑚
Result/Data

8. Table 2
Result/Data
Sample
No
Q
(Watts)
ΔT1-8
hot
(K)
ΔXhot
(m)
ΔXint
(m)
ΔXcold
(m)
Khot
(W/mk)
Kint
(W/mk)
Kcold
(W/mk)

9. Table 3
Result/Data
Sample No
𝑼 =
𝟏
𝒙 𝒉𝒐𝒕
𝒌 𝒉𝒐𝒕
+
𝒙𝒊𝒏𝒕
𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒕
+
𝒙 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅
𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅
(W/m2K)
𝑸
𝑨 𝑻𝟏 − 𝑻𝟖
= 𝑼
(W/m2K)

10. i. Plot a graph of temperature against distance from
T1 (m) for each Q.
ii. Explain your observation.
Discussion

11.  Your conclusion should be related to your practical
and theoretical understanding on the related topic.
Conclusion and Recommendation