Abstract:The objective of this experiment is:

To evaluate the thermal conductivity of copper experimentally using Thermal

Conduction System-Model 9051
Experimental results were compared with the theoretical results. There was difference in
theoretical and experimental results. Theoretical value of thermal conductivity was 400
W/m K and experimental value was 421.94 W/m K. This difference is due to experimental
errors.

Introduction:
Conduction, convection and radiation are basic modes of heat transfer. When a temperature
difference exists in a stationary medium, which may be in solid, heat transfer occurs due to
conduction across the medium.
By conduction heat spontaneously flows from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a
lower temperature. In the absence of external driving fluxes, temperature differences
disappear over time and the body approaches thermal equilibrium.
Convection is the major mode of heat transfer in the fluids. In our experiments we had both
convective and conduction heat transfer,

Apparatus:-

Experimental procedure:The following experimental procedure should be followed while conducting this experiment:
Establish constant and steady cooling water flow.
Turn on heater of unit 4 in given arrangement and set to 300 W. Allow the
system to reach steady-state conditions.
Start recording temperatures using a digital thermometer. Note that selector
switch on the apparatus allow you to select whatever thermocouple you wish
to read.
Measure cooling water flow rate.
Record data at least once every 10 minutes, and continue until steady
conditions have reached. You may have to wait for about an hour and nearly
20 min after setting up the apparatus to allow the unit to reach the desired state
conditions.

When the readings do not change in two consecutive readings then record the
data.

Observations and Calculations

Observations:
Diameter of Copper Bar = 5.08cm
Length of Copper Bar = L = 30cm
Inlet temperature of water = 25C0
Outlet temperature of water = 34C0
Inlet Heat(Power) of heater = 300 watt
Volume Flow Rate = V = 2.22 ml/sec

Calculations:Cross-Sectional Area:-

A=

d2
4
2 2

3.1416 x ( 5.08 x 10 )
A=
4

A=2.0268 x 10 m

Calculations of Mass Flow Rate(m) by Volume Flow Rate(V):V '=

'

V=

V
t
2.2ml
s

100 ml=1 x 104 m3

V '=

1 x 10 m
45 s

V ' =2.22 x 106

m
s

'

m =w x V '
'

m =0.9956502 x 10

m' =2.210 x 103

3
kg
6 m
x
2.22
x
10
s
m3

kg
sec

Where density of water is calculated at average value of temperature of

inlet and outlet water.
T avg=

T 1 +T 2
2

25+ 34
2
29.5 c 0
=0.9956502

g
0
at 29.5 c
3
cm

Calculations of Heat Energy Transferred (q):m' c p t=k

( ) TX
d
4

q m' c p t=( 2.213 x 103 ) x ( 4.1814 ) x (9)

q=0.0832

kJ
sec

Calculation of rate of change of temperature w.r.t distance

T
:
X
Distance(m)

Temperature('C)

0.0493

65

0.0739

63

0.0986

60

0.1229

58

0.1476

55

0.1722

52

0.1969

50

0.2215

48

0.2461

46

0.2708
0.0832=k x 2.0268 x 10 x 97.288

44

T
=97.288
X
Calculations of

K:-

q= k

d2 T
4 X

( )

k =421.94

W
mK

Result and discussion:There are few problems that may cause problems and had caused problem in our results. The
two main reasons are given below.

 First problem is in our assumption that when there is a steady state, then all the heat
generated will be taken up by the water coolant. As there is a lot of heat loss through
the copper bar in the surrounding atmosphere. Although we have applied a lot of
insulation around the insulating bar but still some heat was being wasted away in the
surrounding environment.
There might be the calibration problem in the thermocouples which are installed on
the on the copper rod. All the thermocouples may not respond uniformly. So the graph
between temperature and distance will change and the accordingly slope will also
change, affecting the thermal conductivity.
There is human error in calculation of volume flow as there was no proper
measurement device was not installed.
Inlet water temperature was too high to conduct significant heat through copper bar.