Introduction and theory

Thermal conductivity

In physics, thermal conductivity, (k), is the property of a material that indicates its ability to
conduct heat

basis of conduction heat transfer is Fourier Law. This law involves the idea that the heat
flux. Thermal conductivity, k, a property of proportional to the temperature gradient in
any direction materials that is temperature dependent, is the constant of proportionality.
Heat always moves from warmer objects to cooler objects. The composition of a material
affects its conduction rate. If a copper rod and an iron rod are joined together end to
end, and the ends placed in heat sources, the heat will conduct through the copper more
quickly than the iron because copper has a K value of 92 (W/m k), whereas, iron has a K
value of 11(W/m k).
It should be noted that heat can also be transferred by Thermal radiation and/or
convection, and often more than one of these processes occur in a particular situation.
The law of heat conduction, also known as Fourier law, states that the rate, heat transfer
through a material is proportional to the negative gradient in the temperature and to the
area at right angles, to that gradient, through which the heat is flowing:

q =-KA( dT/dr)
A : across sectional area is given by

A=2ΠrL

r : radial coordinate

L:length of the cylinder

q r = ( 2 Π L k) (T1-T2)
ln(R2/R1)

k= ln(R2/R1) qr / (T1-T2)(2ΠL)

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 Apparatus and procedures

Apparatus

Thermal conductivity of liquids and gas unit (model HE 156) Consists two coaxial concentric
cylindrical plugs with a thin radial clearance in between the clearance is made extremely
small which is 0.3 mm to reduce the natural heat convection the heat sourced from the
center of the coaxial concentric cylindrical plugs made of copper

figure (1) figure (2)

procedures

 Thermal conductivity of air

1) set power regulators anti clock

2) connected water supply and electric supply on

3) set the temperature at 100 ◦C

4) on the heater switch and power regulators to about 20 w, 30 w , 40 w

5) record the power and T1 , T2

 Thermal conductivity of acetone

Repeat all the previous steps in the previous section

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 Results and discussion

Results:

To determination of thermal conductivity of air :

• k= ln(R2/R1) qr / (T1-T2)(2ΠL)

R1(m R2(m
) ) L(m)
0.016 0.016
65 95 0.1

Q T1 ∆T(k q lost qr ln(R2/R 2×π×L K ( W/m

(W) (◦C) T2(◦C) ) (W) (W) 1) (m) k)
0.017857 0.0277018
17.5 41.2 25.7 15.5 2.4 15.1 62 0.628 72
0.017857 0.0256212
31 55.3 26 29.3 4.6 26.4 62 0.628 42
0.017857 0.0252839
42.3 67.1 26.5 40.6 6.2 36.1 62 0.628 57
Kavg =
0.026
TABLE (1)

To determination of thermal conductivity of acetone :

• k= ln(R2/R1) qr / (T1-T2)(2ΠL)

R1(m R2(m
) ) L(m)
0.016 0.016
65 95 0.1

T1 ∆T(k q lost qr ln(R2/R 2×π×L K (w/

Q (W) (◦C) T2(◦C) ) (w) (W) 1) (m) (m*k))
0.017857 0.0351422
14.6 36.6 26 10.6 1.5 13.1 62 0.628 29
0.017857 0.0317167
19.8 41.7 26.1 15.6 2.4 17.4 62 0.628 38
0.017857 0.0357346
26.5 45 26.3 18.7 3 23.5 62 0.628 99
Kavg=
0.03419

TABLE (2)

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Discussion:.

 The calculated value of thermal conductivity for Air and Acetone is not equal
the tabulated value,. Due to the system did not reach completely to steady-state.

 Air is a good insulator, which can be seen from the value of tabulated thermal
conductivity or from the experimental data.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion

 The thermal conductivity has a low value for gases.

 The thermal conductivity for liquid between gases and solids.

 Heat losses must be noticed due to using of non-perfect conductor.

 The thermal conductivity determine using Fourier Law

Recommendations

We recommend carrying out the test on different types of liquids and gases

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References

1- Dr.Rami Jumah 'Heat transfer laboratory' “laboratory manual July

2009”

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 Appendices
Calculation:

 For Air

• ∆T = T1 – T2

= 41.2 - 25.7

o
= 15.5 C

From figure 2 from manual heat transfer : q lost vs ∆T:

Q = 17.5 w
q lost = 2.4 w

• q r = Q – q lost
= 17.5 – 2.4

= 15.1 w .
R1 = 0.01665 m R2 = 0.01695 m
• ln (R2 /R1)
ln (0.01695/0.01665)

=0.01786

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 • 2×Π×L

= 2 × Π ×0.1

= 0.628 m

• k= ln(R2/R1) qr / (T1-T2)(2ΠL)

= ln(0.01695/0.01665)( 15.1)/ (2 × Π ×0.1)( 15.5)

= 0.0277 W/m K
 For acetone :

• ∆T = T1 – T2

= 36.6 - 26

o
= 10.6 C

From figure 2 from manual heat transfer : q lost vs ∆T:

Q = 14.6 W
q lost = 1.5 W

• q r = Q – q lost
= 14.6 – 1.5
= 13.1 w.

R1 = 0.01665 m R2 = 0.01695 m
• ln (R2 /R1)
ln (0.01695/0.01665)

=0.01786

• 2×Π×L

= 2 × Π ×0.1

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 = 0.628 m

• k= ln(R2/R1)( qr) / (T1-T2)(2ΠL)

= ln(0.01695/0.01665)(13.1)/ (2 × Π ×0.1)( 10.6)

= 0.035 W/m k

Equipment specification figure (2)

Inner cylinder plug

Outer diameter (mm) : 33.3

length (mm) : 100
material : copper

outer cylinder plug

inner diameter (mm) : 33.9

length (mm) : 100
material : copper

cylinder water jacket

material : stainless steel

outer radius of the inner cylinder R 1 ( m ) : 0.01665

inner radius of the outer cylinder R 2 ( m ) : 0.01695

length of the cylinder L( m ) : 0.10