Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus | ThermoFlux – 7051
The Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7051 is a bench-mounted experimental unit for the visual demonstration and quantitative analysis of boiling heat transfer in convective, nucleate, and film boiling modes using R141b as the working fluid. The unit features a thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder with stainless steel end plates, a 300 W high watt density cartridge heater (effective surface area approximately 13 cm²) with infinitely variable heat input control, and a stainless-steel tube coil condenser of mean surface area approximately 0.032 m². Instrumentation covers heater surface temperature, R141b liquid and vapour temperatures, cooling water inlet and outlet temperatures, chamber pressure (−1 to 4 kg/cm²), water flow rate (0 to 5 lpm), and electrical power input. Safety devices include a high-temperature cut-out (170°C), high-pressure cut-out (2.2 kg/cm²), pressure relief valve (2.5 kg/cm²), and fused circuit breaker with mains switch. Optional ThermoFlux – 7051 DAQ software, developed in National Instruments™ LabVIEW™, is available for automated data acquisition and result calculation on any Windows™ system.
The Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7051 is a bench-mounted experimental unit designed to enable visual demonstration and quantitative measurement of convective, nucleate, and film boiling heat transfer modes in a transparent pressure vessel. This boiling heat transfer apparatus allows students to determine heat flux, surface heat transfer coefficients, and critical heat flux at pressures up to 2 bar above atmospheric, supported by integrated instrumentation for temperature, pressure, power, and cooling water flow rate measurement.
Product Overview
The Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7051 is constructed around a thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder with stainless steel end plates, housing a 300 W high watt density cartridge heater swaged into a thick-walled copper sleeve and a stainless-steel tube coil condenser. The heating element delivers a uniform surface temperature across an effective heating surface area of approximately 13 cm²; heat input is controlled via a variable transformer providing infinitely variable output. A water-cooled condenser coil of mean surface area approximately 0.032 m² is mounted at the top of the chamber for condensation of vapour generated by the volatile solvent R141b, which boils at low pressure. Sensors are provided for measurement of heater surface temperature, R141b liquid temperature, R141b vapour temperature, cooling water inlet and outlet temperatures, chamber pressure, and cooling water flow rate. Voltage and current meters measure electrical input to the heating element directly. The unit enables production of Heat Flux against Temperature Difference, Heat Transfer Coefficient against Temperature Difference, and Critical Heat Flux against Saturation Pressure graphs across all three modes of boiling heat transfer. It may also be used as a Marcet boiler to provide the saturation pressure–temperature relationship for R141b over a limited pressure range, and demonstrates Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures. A charging and drain valve fitted to the lower end plate allows R141b charging and discharge. A comprehensive safety system includes a high-temperature cut-out at 170°C, a high-pressure cut-out at 2.2 kg/cm², a pressure relief valve set at 2.5 kg/cm², and a fused electrical circuit breaker with mains switch and indicating lamp.
Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7051, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | ThermoFlux – 7051 |
| Unit Type | Bench-mounted experimental unit |
| Working Fluid | R141b (volatile solvent, low boiling point) |
| Visualisation | Thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder |
| Heating Element Power | 300 W |
| Heating Element Type | High watt density cartridge heater in thick-walled copper sleeve |
| Effective Heating Surface Area | Approximately 13 cm² |
| Heat Input Control | Variable transformer, infinitely variable |
| Condenser Type | Stainless-steel tube coil |
| Condenser Mean Surface Area | Approximately 0.032 m² |
| Operating Pressure (Experiments) | Up to 2 bar above atmospheric |
| Pressure Gauge Range | −1 to 4 kg/cm² |
| Water Flow Meter Range | 0 to 5 lpm |
| High Temperature Cut-Out | 170°C |
| High Pressure Cut-Out | 2.2 kg/cm² |
| Relief Valve Set Pressure | 2.5 kg/cm² |
Technical Data
Panel
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction | High quality epoxy coated frame laminated with Formica |
| Function | Mounts chamber and all instrumentation |
Chamber
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder |
| End Plates | Stainless steel |
| Contents | Houses heating element and condenser |
Heating Element
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power | 300 W |
| Type | High watt density cartridge heater |
| Sleeve | Thick-walled copper sleeve (swaged) for uniform surface temperature |
| Effective Heating Surface Area | Approximately 13 cm² |
Variable Transformer
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Function | Infinitely variable heat input to heating element |
Condenser
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Stainless-steel tube coil |
| Mean Surface Area | Approximately 0.032 m² |
Charging and Drain Valve
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lower end plate |
| Function | Charging or discharging R141b |
Instrumentation
| Instrument | Parameter Measured |
|---|---|
| Voltage & Current Meter | Electrical input to heating element |
| Temperature Sensors & Indicators | Heater surface temperature; water inlet and outlet temperatures; R141b liquid temperature; R141b vapour temperature |
| Pressure Gauge | Chamber pressure; range −1 to 4 kg/cm² |
| Water Flow Meter | Cooling water flow rate; range 0 to 5 lpm |
Safety Devices
| Device | Setting / Function |
|---|---|
| High Temperature Cut-Out | Interrupts electrical input if heater surface temperature exceeds 170°C; fail-safe on thermocouple disconnection |
| High Pressure Cut-Out | Interrupts electrical input if chamber pressure exceeds 2.2 kg/cm² |
| Relief Valve | Discharges vapour when chamber pressure exceeds 2.5 kg/cm² |
| Electrical Circuit Breaker | Fused circuit and mains switch with indicating lamp |
Key Features
- Visualisation: Thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder with stainless steel end plates enables direct visual observation of all three modes of boiling heat transfer
- Boiling modes demonstrated: Convective boiling, nucleate boiling, and film boiling, all visually observable and quantitatively measurable
- Heating element: 300 W high watt density cartridge heater; swaged into thick-walled copper sleeve for uniform surface temperature; effective heating surface area approximately 13 cm²
- Heat input control: Variable transformer providing infinitely variable electrical input to the heating element
- Working fluid: R141b volatile solvent, low boiling point; charged and discharged via lower end plate valve
- Condenser: Stainless-steel tube coil; mean surface area approximately 0.032 m²; water-cooled for vapour condensation
- Cooling water supply: Via laboratory network or water chiller (not provided); maximum water temperature 16°C
- Pressure measurement: Pressure gauge; range −1 to 4 kg/cm²; monitors chamber pressure during all experiments
- Water flow measurement: Flow meter; range 0 to 5 lpm
- Temperature measurement: Sensors for heater surface, R141b liquid, R141b vapour, and cooling water inlet and outlet temperatures
- Electrical measurement: Voltage and current meters for direct measurement of electrical input to heater
- Operating pressure range: Experiments conducted at pressures up to 2 bar above atmospheric
- Burn Out demonstration: Critical heat flux condition and film boiling onset demonstrated experimentally
- Marcet Boiler function: Unit usable as a Marcet boiler for saturation pressure–temperature relationship of R141b over limited pressure range
- Dalton’s Law: Demonstrates Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures
- Safety, temperature cut-out: High-temperature cut-out at 170°C; fail-safe design active on thermocouple disconnection
- Safety, pressure cut-out: High-pressure cut-out at 2.2 kg/cm² interrupts heater electrical input
- Safety, relief valve: Pressure relief valve discharges vapour at 2.5 kg/cm²
- Safety, circuit breaker: Fused circuit breaker and mains switch fitted with indicating lamp
- Software: Optional ThermoFlux – 7051SW DAQ software developed in National Instruments™ LabVIEW™; compatible with all Windows™ environments
Experiments
- Visual demonstration of convective, nucleate, and film boiling
- Direct measurement of rate of heat transfer, surface temperature, and liquid temperature at pressures up to 2 bar above atmospheric
- Calculation of heat flux and surface heat transfer coefficient in all three modes of boiling
- Production of the following graphs:
- Heat Flux against Temperature Difference
- Heat Transfer Coefficient against Temperature Difference
- Critical Heat Flux against Saturation Pressure
- Demonstration of the “Burn Out” phenomenon, critical heat flux condition and associated dangers at high heat fluxes
- Demonstration of film condensation and determination of overall heat transfer coefficient in a simple water-cooled coil and shell condenser
- Demonstration of the effect of air presence on the rate of heat transfer in a condenser
- Use as a Marcet boiler to provide the saturation pressure–temperature relationship for R141b over a limited pressure range
- Demonstration of Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures
Construction and Design
The Boiling Heat Transfer Apparatus ThermoFlux – 7051 is built around a thick-walled thermal shock-proof glass cylinder with stainless steel end plates, mounted on a high-quality epoxy-coated frame laminated with Formica. The heating element, a 300 W high watt density cartridge heater swaged into a thick-walled copper sleeve, is positioned at the base of the chamber, immersed in R141b, and delivers a uniform heater surface temperature across approximately 13 cm² of effective heating area. Heat input is regulated by a variable transformer providing infinitely variable control. A stainless-steel tube coil condenser of mean surface area approximately 0.032 m² is located at the top of the chamber for vapour condensation. A charging and drain valve at the lower end plate allows controlled filling and discharge of the working fluid. The instrumentation suite covers all parameters required for boiling heat transfer analysis: voltage and current meters for electrical power input; temperature sensors for heater surface, R141b liquid, R141b vapour, and cooling water inlet and outlet; a pressure gauge (−1 to 4 kg/cm²); and a water flow meter (0 to 5 lpm). The four-layer safety system comprises a high-temperature cut-out (170°C, fail-safe on thermocouple disconnection), a high-pressure cut-out (2.2 kg/cm²), a pressure relief valve (2.5 kg/cm²), and a fused electrical circuit breaker with mains switch and indicating lamp, providing complete protection against overtemperature, overpressure, and electrical fault conditions.
Software
ThermoFlux – 7051 (Optional)
- DAQ software specifically developed for the ThermoFlux – 7051 apparatus
- Developed in the National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ environment
- Measures and calculates results directly from apparatus sensors
- Compatible with all Windows™ operating environments
- When software option is selected, a set of electronic sensors is included
Scope of Delivery
- 1× Experimental unit
- 1× Instruction manual
Q1: What boiling modes can be demonstrated and measured on the ThermoFlux – 7051?
The ThermoFlux – 7051 enables visual demonstration and quantitative measurement of all three primary modes of boiling heat transfer: convective boiling, nucleate boiling, and film boiling. Students can observe each mode directly through the thermal shock-proof glass cylinder and calculate the corresponding heat flux and heat transfer coefficients.
Q2: What working fluid does the ThermoFlux – 7051 use, and how is it charged?
The unit uses R141b, a volatile solvent with a low boiling point. R141b is charged into and discharged from the chamber via a charging and drain valve fitted to the lower stainless steel end plate.
Q3: What safety devices are incorporated in the ThermoFlux – 7051?
The unit incorporates four safety devices: a high-temperature cut-out that interrupts heater power if surface temperature exceeds 170°C (fail-safe on thermocouple disconnection); a high-pressure cut-out that interrupts heater power at 2.2 kg/cm²; a pressure relief valve that discharges vapour at 2.5 kg/cm²; and a fused electrical circuit breaker with mains switch and indicating lamp.
Q4: Can the ThermoFlux – 7051 be used for experiments beyond boiling heat transfer?
Yes. The unit can be used as a Marcet boiler to determine the saturation pressure–temperature relationship for R141b over a limited pressure range. It also demonstrates film condensation, the effect of air presence on condenser heat transfer rate, and Dalton’s Law of Partial Pressures.
Q5: Is the DAQ software included as standard with the ThermoFlux – 7051?
No. The ThermoFlux – 7051 DAQ software is an optional accessory developed in the National Instruments™ LabVIEW™ environment. It runs on any Windows™ operating system, and a set of electronic sensors is included when the software option is selected.
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