InFinding heat transfer coefficient experimentally

[DinoRF]

I'm working on a project where I have to construct a cubic box, then find the heat transfer coefficient through the box. I will be placing various object in the box to run tests on how they change the eat transfer coefficient. If I want to use the equation: Q=h*A*delta-T, how do I find Q, the heat transfer rate?

I'm thinking I will have thermocouples on the outside surface and on object on the inside of the box. I'll treat all the space in between as a single resistance, since I'm not worried about the heat transfer coefficient with respect to convection, radiation, or conduction, but rather the overall coefficient.

If I got the data for the outside temperature and the inside temperature and plotted that vs. time, would the Q just be the difference divided by the time of that difference?

Once I get Q, then solving for h should be simple.

I've also seen heat flux sensors, but those are expensive and I think and hope they are unnecessary.

-Matt

 

[Chestermiller]

You might be able to use Newton's law of cooling.