Experimental apparatus for measuring heat transfer coefficients by the Wilson plot method

Abstract

The Wilson plot is a technique to estimate the film coefficients in several types of heat transfer processes and to obtain general heat transfer correlations. This method is an outstanding tool in practical applications and in laboratory research activities that involve analysis of heat exchangers. Moreover, the application of this method is simple enough to be taught in laboratory practices for students at university and doctoral level of physics and engineering. Therefore, an experimental apparatus has been designed and built in our laboratory that allows the students to carry out experiments based on the application of the Wilson plot method. In this note, the principles of the method are explained, the experimental apparatus is described and representative results of the experimental data taken from the apparatus and the application of the Wilson plot method are shown.

Laboratory Practices with the Wilson Plot Method

“…It is described in detail in [1]. A schematic diagram is shown in Figure 1 and its general features are exposed later on.…”

“…Moreover, the application of this method is simple enough to be lectured in laboratory practices for students at university and doctoral level. Therefore, taking into account the reasons cited above, an experimental apparatus has been designed and built in our laboratory [1]. It allows the students to carry out experiments based on the Wilson plot method.…”

Measuring the Thermal Conductivities of Low Heat Conducting Disk Samples by Monitoring the Heat Flow

“…The devices and techniques studied include differential scanning calorimeters, improved thin film heat transfer gauges, infrared thermography [5] and liquid crystals [6] and several other visualization techniques [7]. The techniques involved are used for direct measurement of the temperature with thin film thermocouples [8], sputtered micro thermocouples, thermo fluorescence [9], thin-foil thermography [10] and fine wire thermocouples for transient me asurement.…”

Experimental Investigation of Thermal Performance in a Concentric-Tube Heat Exchanger with Wavy Inner Pipe

“…This method is an outstanding tool in practical applications. Fernández-Seara et al [9] described a simple experimental apparatus that allows for the measured data required for the application of the Wilson plot method. Taylor [10] used the Wilson plot for the determination of the air-side convection coefficient in finned-tube heat exchangers.…”