Rico

5.3  Transient Radial Conduction Lab

Objectives

  1. Understand the heat transfer principles of radial conduction
  2. Learn how to model transient radial conduction using a partial lumped parameter model (PLPM)
  3. Apply a PLPM model to predict the radial temperature distribution in an insulated disk over time
  4. Measure the time evolution of the temperature distribution in a disk with known thermal properties over time
  5. Compare the predicted and measured temperature distributions to validate the PLPM model
  6. Learn to think dynamically about heat transfer problems

Procedure

The apparatus and its analysis were introduced in the previous section. The procedure for the experiment is as follows:

  1. Set up the apparatus with the data loggers connected to a computer with the LabVIEW VI running (TODO: link the VI for perpetuity).
  2. Turn on the pump and the cooling unit for the closed-cycle water cooling system. Set the temperature controller to room temperature.
  3. Turn on the power supply for the heating element, but leave the voltage control knob at zero.
  4. Wait about 10 minutes for the system to reach thermal equilibrium.
  5. Record the water temperature.
  6. Run the LabVIEW VI to collect temperature data over time with a time interval of 3 seconds.
  7. Allow a minute or so to pass to get a baseline temperature measurement for each sensor.
  8. Turn on the power supply voltage to 120 V.
  9. Observe the temperature traces increase over time.
  10. Wait for the temperature to reach a steady state, about 20 minutes.
  11. Turn off the power supply voltage.
  12. Observe the temperature traces decrease over time.
  13. Wait for the temperature to reach a steady state, again about 20 minutes.
  14. Stop the LabVIEW VI.
  15. Copy the data file to your own computer.
  16. Turn off the heating unit, the pump, and the cooling unit.

Lab Report Questions and Required Analysis

Within the normal sections of the report, please include the following:

  1. A thorough summary of the analysis and simulation of the apparatus, as described in the previous section.
  2. A data analysis that compares the measured experimental results with the theoretical predictions.
  3. Include plots of the simulated and measured temperature data.