Calculating heat transfer coefficient from experimental data

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient from experimental data related to the cooling of a tent. Participants explore methods for deriving this coefficient using temperature readings over time, focusing on the application of relevant equations and the interpretation of experimental results.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a graph showing the cooling rate of a tent and seeks guidance on calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient.
  • Another participant questions whether the cooling process is due to free or forced convection and asks for details about the experimental setup.
  • A participant asserts that the cooling is due to free convection and describes their approach to calculating energy reduction and heat transfer using the equation Q = hA(delta T).
  • One contributor suggests calculating Q and delta-T during the linear portion of the cooling curve to avoid inaccuracies from non-linear data.
  • Another participant recommends extending the time frame to a point where the temperature approaches an asymptotic value for a more representative average heat transfer coefficient.
  • A participant confirms that they have successfully applied the suggested methods to their calculations.
  • A later post expresses uncertainty about calculating the Q value necessary for determining the heat transfer coefficient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to calculating the heat transfer coefficient, particularly focusing on the linear portion of the cooling curve. However, there are differing opinions on the best practices for selecting time frames and methods for calculating Q.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the cooling process and the conditions under which the calculations are made, including the definition of delta T and the significance of time frames in the analysis.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in experimental heat transfer, particularly those working with convective cooling processes in controlled environments.

Jakob81
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I have a graph which shows the rate of cooling of a tent from about 35 deg C to 15 deg C, it looks like this:

http://students.bath.ac.uk/en0jma/graph.gif

How do I work out the convective heat transfer coefficient of the tent from this data?

Thanks for any help
 
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Is this free convection or forced convection? What is your experimental set up?
 
this is free convection.

The tent was heated up, and then allowed to cool naturally. The graph is the results of the thermometer readings taken from within the tent.

Ive been working out the reduction in energy of the air between two temperatures, say 34 and 20, and then dividing by the time taken to reduce heat, this gives X watts of heat (Q)

i know I should be using the equation

Q = hA(delta T)

to try and work out h, but I am not sure if I am using the right values for delta T, already know A, the area of the tent walls.

I want to find h, the convective heat transfer coefficient by re-arranging the above to,

h = Q / A(delta T)
 
You are doing it the way I would. In the beginning, when the slope of your graph is near linear, is probably the best place to calculate a Q and a delta-T to plug into the Q=hA(delta-T) equation - say, the first 100 seconds. Otherwise, you are averaging the slope (and Q) over a non-linear period using a linear equation.

To check, plug your numbers back into the equation you've built and see if Excel generates the same graph as your experimental data.
 
My 2 cents worth here...

I would pretty much do it the same way, but if I were going to use this number in any kind of calculation, I'd extend the time frame of interest to a point that appears to become asymtotic to [tex]T_{\infty}[/tex] and curve fit a straight line there. That way you will get a bit more conservative average heat transfer coefficient that is a bit more representative over the broader temperature range. That is my opinion though.

If you're not going to do that then I'd do it in the linear portion like Russ mentioned.
 
Cheers, that's exactly what I've done, and it seems to work! Thanks very much for the help. :smile:
 
Hi, i think am having the same issue as the guy above, except I'm not sure how to calculate the Q value needed to find heat transfer coefficient. Thanks.
 

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