Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg

Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics

Professorship Thermodynamics and Combustion
Professorship Technical Thermodynamics
LABORATY WORK
Measurement of Heat Transfer Coefficients
by infrared thermography
Contents
1. THE TOPIC / PROBLEM..................................................................................................................................2
2. THE MEASURING PRINCIPLE AND TEST FACILITY............................................................................2
3. THE WAY OF ANALYSIS................................................................................................................................5
4. THE EXPERIMENTS........................................................................................................................................8
4.1 CONNECTION AND ADJUSTING THE INFRARED CAMERA.....................................................................................8
4.2 ADJUSTMENT THE AIR VOLUME FLOW RATE....................................................................................................8
4.3 MORE ADJUSTING AND MEASURING DATAS.......................................................................................................9
4.3.1 Electrical Power Supply.........................................................................................................................9
4.3.2 More Measuring Datas..........................................................................................................................9
5. EVALUATION OF THE TESTS....................................................................................................................10
- 20-
1. The Topic / Problem
The aim of the laboraty work is to use the infrared-technique to determine the heat transfer
coefficients. In case of an air flowed pipe, the local heat transfer coefficients should be
determined after a sudden change of diameter by measuring the outlet surface temperature
with the help of a infrared-camera.
The essential advantage of the infrared thermography is, its possible to measure the
temperature without a contact and with a high resolution till 0.1 K. Thus quasi on every axial
point of the flowed pipe a temperature could be measure.
The local heat transfer coefficient of flowing air in the pipe is always relating to the
temperature difference between inner pipewall and airflow. In the following comments could
be shown, that the infrared thermography is a very accurate determination for this difference.
Compared with other methods the measuring error reduced.
For the local heat transfer of a turbulent flow in a pipe the VDI-Wrmeatlas [1] give the
following determining equation:

1
1
1
]
1

,
_

,
_

,
_

3
2
z
D
3
1
1
1
3
2
Pr
8
7 , 12 1
Pr Re
8
z
Nu

(1)
with
( )
2
5 , 1 Re
10
log 8 , 1

(2)
This equation shows the influence of the pipe length z and of the diameter D on the local heat
transfer. This classic correlation strictly applies for the sudden contraction in a pipe base. But
its not to use by increasing the diameter. The measurements arranged while the laboraty work
will show that the measured heat transfer coefficient and the Nusselt number respectively is a
multiple higher than the calculated values, which are determined by the classic equation
(equation 1).
2. The Measuring Principle and Test Facility
The investigations should be done for a sudden pipe extension. Figure 1 shows a principle
plan of such a pipe extension. At first the air flows in a pipe with the diameter d. Than a
sudden pipe extension happens till the diameter D. As a result inside the pipe turbulence and
backflow are generated, which influenced the boundary layer near the wall. Now the local
heat transfer through the pipe coordinate z in the range z = 0 z = 27 D have to be measured.
- 20-
The plan of the test facility is shown by
figure 2. The test facility is feeded by
compressed air. With a modulating valve
connected with pressure on a pressure
reducer its possible to set up the volume
flow rate. On this way volume flow rates
in a range 0.2 300 m/h are adjustable.
For measuring the volume flow rates are
used rotameter. The rather test section is
vertical arranged and consists of an acryl
feeder pipe with a precipitation stainless
steel pipe. On the transition range
(between acryl and stainless steel pipe) is
the sudden extension of the cross section.
The stainless steel pipe isolated with a 30
mm thick mineral wool and the air flows
downstairs from the top.
Figure 1: Principle profile amplification
For determination the local heat transfer coefficient between the stainless steel pipe and the
flowing air in it (figure 3) an electric direct current was made to pass through the tube wall
(till 6 V and 400 A). So a constant heat flux to 20 kW/m is generated. The air flows from top
to bottom and is warmed up thereby. The surface temperature of the pipe under the insulation
has to be measured. When the steady state is reached, an axial segment of mineral wool is
removed for a short period of time during which the outer wall temperatures are recorded. The
infrared camera can take up pictures at intervals of 0.15 seconds. In this way a measurement
period of 5 seconds is sufficient. With this developed measuring method its possible to
contain the external heat losses at air flowed pipes on a passable dimension and also to inhibit
the influence of free convection and radiation, which cant calibrate because of the changing
axial temperature profile. Simultaneous its easy to control the emission ratio of the coated
pipe surface by comparison measurement with thermocouples after a few test series. The
maximum pipe wall temperature is regulated by the direct current, there 200 C dont have to
be overrun. The temperature difference between pipe wall and air lies in a range 60 K 140
K.
- 20-
D
d
Z
Figure 2: Plan of the test plant
Figure 3: Detail measuring route
- 20-
3. The Way of Analysis
At first a defined air volume rate has to be adjusted on the plant. For this air volume rate the
heat transfer has to be investigate. After adjusting steady state the surface temperature of the
stainless tube is to measure with the infrared camera.
In order to calculate the local heat transfer coefficients, the tube length is divided into finite
sections of length z beginning from the location of the cross-sectional change. The deter-
mination of the local heat transfer coefficient is then based on the energy balance for each
discrete section.
Figure 4: Dividing a measuring pipe into section length
For a discrete section j the convective heat flux j
Q

is equal to the input electric power P

el j
minus the heat flux of losses to the ambient Q
L,j
and minus the heat flux by axial conduction
Q
C,j
.
j C j L j el j
Q Q P Q
, , ,


. (3)
- 20-
The local heat transfer coefficient
*
j

is defined by the equation:

[ ]
j , Kal j j j
z D Q

, (4)
using the bulk temperature
bulk,j
of the fluid. The bulk temperature is determined from the
enegy balance of a discrete section.
The internal tube wall temperature
j
is assumed to be equal to the measured external tube
wall temperature since the differences are only in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 K under the given
experimental conditions with air flow.
With equation. (3) and (4) the

is calculated by:

[ ]
j , kal j
j , L j , V j , el
j
z D
Q Q P

. (5)
The electric power j , el
P
is given by:
z I P j , el
2
j , el


, (6)
where I is the amperage, *
el,j
is the specific electric resistance in /m of the stainless steel
for j
th
section j and z is the length of the discrete section. The specific electric resistance for
the stainless steel used was determined experimentally as a function of the temperature. It was
found the correlation *
el,j
=f().
The convection and radiation on the external surface of tube insulation lead to lower heat
losses. By the chosen insulation thickness (30 mm) the heat loss decreases till 80 % in
comparison to a not insulated tube. The generated heat loss is under steady state conditions a
function of the external tube surface temperature
j
and the ambient air temperature
a
.

[ ]
a j j j L
k z s D Q + ) 2 (
,

(7)
The over all heat transfer coefficient kj includes conduction through the insulation and free
convection and radiation on its outer surface. This coefficient was determined experimentally
in calibration test as a function of
j
and z.
in which the stainless steel filled with insulation material and so the inner convection could
be eliminated. For a Reynolds number of 10 000 the heat loss j , V
Q

is nearly 20 % of the
electric power and decreases under 5 % for Re = 100 000.
- 20-
The axial heat conduction j C
Q
,

depends on the axial temperature profile of the stainless

steel tube. This influence is very low in comparison with the electric power and can neglected.
In the case of contraction the Reynolds number is defined by diameter D, in the case of
extension it could be defined with the diameter d. The viscosity of the flowing medium has to
be insert on the area of cross-section changing (z = 0). Therefore the Reynolds number is also
related top the cross-section changing.

0 z , Fluid
d
d
d w
Re

,
0 z , Fluid
D
D
D w
Re

. (8)
In both cases (extension and contraction) the Nusselt number

j
Nu
is defined with the
diameter D of the stainless steel tube:

z , Fluid
j
j
D
Nu

, (9)
because the heat transfer in this tube is observed. The heat conductivity of the flowing
medium, which is determined by the temperature on z, must be inserting by z.
The Nusselt number Nu
j
* calculated from the experimental results are valid for the case of
heating-up the gas (
j
>
bulk
) through the tube wall, since the temperature of the tube wall is 60
to 140 K higher than the air temperature. A transfer to the case of isothermal wall (T
bulk
T
j
) is
made with the Gnielinski's approximation [7]:

45 , 0
) / /(
j bulk
T T Nu Nu

. (10)
The Nusselt numbers, which determined on this way, are the basis for comparison with classic
solutions like in the VDI-Wrmeatlas.
The error of the calculated heat transfer coefficients is a function of many measuring values
and could be determined with law of propagation. By experiments with air the error in the
turbulent area is under 5 %.
- 20-
4. The Experiments
4.1 Connection and Adjusting the Infrared Camera
The camera is to assembly on a stand and the object lense has to show to the tube . The
distance between camera and tube is to set by hand. A temperature is assigned every pixel
point of the infrared image with the coordinate (x, y). By marking points on the flowed tube
the vertical pixel points y could be assigned a axial tube length z.
Marked point 1: Marking by wire
Pixel position on the display: y1
Distance from wire to cross-section changing: z1
Marked point 2: Marking by wire (under point 1)
Pixel position on the display: y2
Distance from wire to cross-section changing: z2
Scale factor (gradient): m = (z2-z1)/(y2-y1) in [cm/pixel point]
Absolute member a from linear equation: a= z2- m y2=z1-m y1 in [cm]
Equation for the calculation the tube length z with pixel points y as input data:
z = m y +a (11)
The height of the camera is to adjust that a<h with h = 1,6 cm (h = visual masked height in the
entrance region of the stainless steel tube)
The analysis of the picture points from camera are only for z>h useful. Therefore the pixel
number y, where the camera has to read out the temperature, could be determined.
h = m y + a
y>(h-a) / m.
After steady state the segment insulation is to removed and the surface temperature of the pipe
is to measure by the infrared camera.
4.2 Adjustment the Air Volume Flow Rate
In the case of cross-section extension the tests are to do. The characteristic diameters are:
d= 8 mm
D=29 mm
The thickness of wall is 0,5 mm.
The local heat transfer coefficients have to be investigated for 3 different air volume flows.
Though this 3 different volume flows V
indication
must adjusted and the fitted air pressures p
V
in
front of the rotameter must be written.
V
indication
volume flow on rotameter [m
3
/h]
p
V
- pressure in front of the rotameter [bar] (overpressure against atmospheric pressure)
- 20-
4.3 More Adjusting and Measuring Datas
4.3.1 Electrical Power Supply
The tube should be flowed by a direct current. On the electrical power supply the amperage I
must be adjusted so that a tube wall temperature of 200C on the end of pipe not overrun.
Measuring datas: voltage U
amperage I
4.3.2 More Measuring Datas
Temperature of room air
room air
Temperature of ambient (all solid walls)
a
Temperature of pressure air
pressure air
Temperature of the collar on inlet
collar

- 20-
5. Evaluation of the Tests
Assignment of tasks:
Calculate the Reynolds number for the 3 adjusted volume flows related to the diameter d
and diameter D. Therefore the viscosity of air on the place of cross-section extension
(z=0) must insert.
Give the transformation equation (11) based on the adjusting of infrared camera. So you
have to convert the vertical pixel point y into axial length z with unit cm.
After readout surface temperature area, for the pixel points with same y a mean arithmetic
temperature has to generate. These temperatures have to be illustrated in a diagram
depended on axis length z for 3 volume flows and discussed accordingly.
For all infrared measurements the camera has to adjusted on a emission ratio of =0.92. In
calibration measurements a dependence of emission ratio on surface temperature could be
investigated:
=0,9809 -9,28*10
-4
+1,93*10
-6

2
+ 2,18*10
-9

3
Which of the readout (by infrared camera) temperature conforms with the really
temperature of pipe surface? Discuss in which direction the other readout temperatures
have to be corrected!
Approximate the measured surface temperatures =f(z) in excel by a polynom departure
(=A0 + A1*z + A2*z
2
+ A3*z
3
+ .......). The degree of polynom is to choose for a good
approximation. If there is no good approximation with one polynom, so the measured tube
section is to be selected in 2 or 3 parts. For this parts separated polynoms have to be
determined. Determine polynoms for all 3 volume flows and illustrate this polynoms
together with measuring values in a diagram!
Calculate with excel in sections the heat transfer coefficient * and the Nusselt number
Nu*, which result from the measuring values, and illustrate this in a diagram as a function
of dimensionless axis length z/D. The calculation should be simplified under following
estimates:
Neglect the axis heat conduction (Q
L
=0).
In the area of the upper collar h=1.6 cm is no heat transfer.
For the calculation the section length z=0.5 cm is to choose.
The section1 should start by z > 2.0 cm.
For all sections z is to calculate with c
P
=1,007 kJ/kg K.
For the calculation the following approach is to use:
Specific electrical resistance
el
* [Ohm/m]:

el
* = 0,013531 + 17,339*10
-6
-6,59*10
-9

2

Over all heat transfer coefficient k [W/mK] of calibration measurements
k=C0 + C1*
if z<7,85 than: C0=D0+D1*z+D2*z
2
+D3*z
3
+D4*z
4
C1=E0+E1*z+E2*z
2
+E3*z
3
+E4*z
4

with: D0=6,737 E0=-0,00894
D1=-2,297 E1=0,00709
- 20-
D2=0,479 E2=-0,00184
D3=-0,0493 E3=0,000215
D4=0,00198 E4=-0,00000932
if z=>7,85 than: C0=1,8232
C1=0,0024
Heat conductivity air
Luft
[W/mK]

ai
r = 24,343*10
-3
+71,323*10
-6

L
-19,237*10
-9

L
2
+4,536*10
-12

L
3
The results of calculation have to be discussed!
Annex: Paper of measuring data
Measuring values emission rate
- 20-
Measuring Data - Practical Pipe Inlet flow
(Paper 1)
I. Adjusted values on infrared camera
Adjusted values of camera
h=1.6 cm (visual covered height in inlet section)
marked point on pipe Pixel point in camera Distance of marked point to
cross-section changing
Marked point 1 y1= 37 z1= 1.6 + 1 = 2.6
Marked point 2 y2= 145 z2= 1.6 + 24.5 = 26.1
Calibration of basic units on camera under:
Image>Settings>Units
Abstand (Distance): m
Temperatur (Temperature): C
Calibration of objects parameter on camera under:
Image>Settings>Objekt Parameter
Parameter Dimension Value
Emissionsgrad
(Emissivity)
- 0.9
Abstand Kamera - Objekt
(Distance)
M 1.8
Temp. d. Umgebung (Wand)
(Ambient Temperature)
C 20
Luft Temperatur
(Atmospheric Temperature)
C 20
Relative Raumfeuchte
(Relative humidity)
% 50
Name of saved picture data:
II. Measuring volume flow
Measuring apparat: Krohne Typ FA20/air; 4 - 40Nm
3
/h
Physical data noted on flowmeter
Paramter Dimension Value
Temperature C 20
Pressure bar 1.013
Density kg/m
3
(bei =C) 1.293
Viscosity mPa 0.0181
Compr. - Factor - 1
Min. volume flow Q-Min m
3
/h 4
Max. volume flow Q-Max m
3
/h 40
- 20-
Measuring Data - Practical Pipe Inlet flow
(Paper 2)
Tyopical data from apparat for FA20; 4-40 Nm
3
/h
Type N
Konus dimension 40
Konus N41.13
Suspension body shape AIII 41
Suspension body material Steatit
Display type mm+Pl-Skal
Measuring values
Parameter Dimension Value
Really air temperature before going
into flowmeter
C 24.5
Pressure in front of the flowmeter p
V

(as overpressure)
bar 0.16
Notified volume flow V
Anzeige
on
flowmeter
Nm3/h 7
With the program "KroValCal 3.3.0" calculated volume flow under normal conditions (STP);
(0C, 101325 Pa):
V
0 air
= 7.501 Nm
3
/h
M
air
= V
0 air
x 1,29 kg/m
3
= 9.698 kg air/ h
Same procedures for each case:
Case (Nm
3
/h) 7 12 18
M
air (
kg/m
3)
9.698 18.994 35.885
- 20-
Measuring values emission rate of kiln lacquer coated measuring pipe (Di=29 mm)
- 20-
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
0,8
0,9
1
0 50 100 150 200
Oberflchentemperatur [C]
E
m
i
s
s
i
o
n
s
g
r
a
d

[
-
]
Messwerte
Polynomisch
(Messwerte)
= 0,9809 - 9,28*10
-4
+ 1,93*10
-6

2
+ 2,18*10
-9