EML 4304L    Thermal Fluids Lab

Thermal Conduction

Experiment #3

Teaching Group #3: Christopher Hokes, Ryan Prentiss, Chris Bolyard, Fredrick Davidson, and Siye Baker

Home        Objectives        Background        Testing Equipment        Pictures        Procedure        Questions       Links

Questions

Fourier's law

 1.      Plot the temperature distribution curves for both the bars, i.e., T(x) versus x. Is the temperature distribution curve for the tapered        bar linear? If not, what is a more appropriate representation of the curve as a function of x ? (You may have to refer to your heat        transfer textbook. 

2.      Using the compiled data for the week (obtained from the TA), and using Equation 2, determine the thermal conductivity of both bars, Unit #3 and Unit #4. Based on the thermal conductivity values, can you make an intelligent guess as to their material? (Note: It is definitely not gold!!) Are both the units made of the same material?

 3.      Plot the temperature gradient, (DT/DX), against the local cross-sectional area of the bar, for Unit # 3.  Comment on the behavior.

 4.      Thermal contact resistance

 5.      Plot the temperature distribution against the length of the bar for both the units, Unit # 1 and Unit # 2.

 6.      Determine the temperature jump across the thermal contact interfaces by linearly extrapolating the temperature profiles for the        different contact surfaces.

7.    Using Equation 1 and Equation 3, determine Rt, c for the various barriers.