DESCRIPTION

Technical Description

Heat conduction is one of the three basic types of heat transfer. Kinetic energy is transferred between two neighbouring atoms or molecules. The heat transport is substance-bound. This type of heat transfer is an irreversible process in which the heat is transferred from a higher energy level, i.e. a level with a higher absolute temperature, to the lower level with a lower temperature. If the heat transport is kept up constantly by applying heat, this is called stationary heat conduction. In technology, heat conduction is mostly used in heat exchangers.

The WL 372 experimental unit enables users to experimentally determine basic laws and characteristic variables of heat conduction in solids. The experimental unit includes a linear and a radial experimental setup, each equipped with a heating and cooling element. Various measuring objects with different heat transfer characteristics can be incorporated in the experimental setup for linear heat conduction. The experimental unit is delivered together with a display and control unit.

Sensors record the temperatures at all relevant points. The measured values can be read on digital displays. At the same time, the measured values can also be transmitted directly to a PC via USB. The data acquisition software is included.

The well-structured instructional material sets out the fundamentals and provides a step-by-step guide through the experiments.

Learning Objectives / Experiments

Linear heat conduction (flat wall)
- determination of temperature profiles with different 
  materials
- determination of the temperature profile during a 
  malfunction
- determination of thermal conductivity k
Radial heat conduction
- determination of the temperature profile
- determination of thermal conductivity k