A Simple Laboratory Experiment to Measure the Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient from a Heated Copper Rod in Air

Abstract

This paper describes a simple experimental rig which enables students to measure convective heat transfer coefficients between a heated copper rod and ambient air with reasonable accuracy and good repeatability. It is simple in design so that any workshop should be able to make up its own version at low cost. The interpretation of results is based on the well-known heat transfer analysis of a fin. The rig is versatile in that both free and forced convection conditions as well as unsteady-state behaviour can be demonstrated.