Free and Forced Convection: Computer Interface

Free and Forced Convection: Computer Interface. The unit is used for studying heat transfer by free and forced convection in a vertical duct.

A heating surface is attached to the middle of the duct. Three types of heating surfaces are available i.e. vertical flat plate, plate with cylinders, and finned plate. A front window is provided for visual observation of the heating surface. Air enters the duct at the bottom duct with flow straightener and escapes via the top. A fan is attached to the top of the duct to induce forced convection. Air velocity is measured by a thermal probe anemometer. Temperatures of hot surface and of air at different points in the duct are measured by thermocouples.

A service module provides power supply, heater control unit, and measuring instruments.

Instruction manual is also included.

TYPICAL EXPERIMENTS

Principles of free and forced convection.
Heat transfer in flat plate, cylindrical and finned surfaces.
Temperature distribution on cylindrical and finned surfaces.
Outlet air temperature distribution.
Determination of Reynold, Nusselt and Prandtl numbers.
Calculations of heat transfer coefficient, efficiency and heat transfer rate.

TECHNICAL DATA

Duct
– Cross section	120 x 120 mm
Heater
– Capacity	320 watts
– Material	Aluminium
Heat transfer area of surfaces
– Flat
– Cylindrical
– Finned
Fan with speed control unit	Maximum flow rate over 3.0 m³/min
Measuring instruments
– Sensors with digital display	Voltage and current of input power Temperatures of air inlet and outlet, heater and heated surface
Software for data display and analysis by computer (separately supplied).
Power supply	220 V, 1 Ph, 50Hz. Other power supply is available on request.