The Unsteady State Heat Transfer Module ThermoFlux - 7049/5 is a laboratory module for investigating transient heat conduction within solid shapes subjected to a sudden change in surface temperature. This unsteady state heat transfer module includes a 5-litre insulated stainless steel water bath, a 300 W heater with automatic dry-run protection, a valve-controlled circulating pump, and a thermostat. Seven solid specimens in brass and stainless steel, across three geometric shapes (solid sphere, rectangular slab, long solid cylinder), each with a built-in centre temperature sensor, are provided for transient thermal analysis using Heisler charts and the Lumped Thermal Capacitance method. Operation requires the Heat Transfer Service Unit ThermoFlux - 7049/5.

Unsteady State Heat Transfer Module ThermoFlux - 7049/5, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | ThermoFlux - 7049/5 |
| Water Bath Capacity | 5 litres |
| Water Bath Material | Insulated stainless steel |
| Water Bath Fitting | Top plate with solid shapes holder mounting |
| Heater Power | 300 W |
| Heater Protection | Internal thermal protection, auto cut-off on dry run |
| Pump Purpose | Water circulation |
| Pump Flow Control | Valve-controlled flow rate |
| Thermostat | Included, for bath temperature pre-setting |
| Solid Specimen Materials | Brass and stainless steel |
| Number of Specimens | 7 |
| Specimen Shapes | Solid sphere, rectangular slab, long solid cylinder |
| Temperature Sensor Location | Built-in at centre of each solid shape |
| Control Panel | Integrated wiring, temperature measurement, digital indicators |
| Required for Operation | Heat Transfer Service Unit ThermoFlux - 7049/5 |
| Scope of Delivery | 1 experimental module, 1 instruction manual |
Technical Data
Water Bath
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 litres |
| Material | Insulated stainless steel |
| Fitting | Top plate with mounting for solid shapes holder |
| Temperature Control | Thermostat for nominally constant temperature |
Heater
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Rating | 300 W |
| Thermal Protection | Internal, automatic cut-off if activated without sufficient water |
Pump
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Function | Water circulation |
| Flow Rate Control | Valve-controlled |
Solid Specimens
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Materials | Brass and stainless steel |
| Total Quantity | 7 |
| Shapes | Solid sphere, rectangular slab, long solid cylinder |
| Temperature Sensor | Built-in at centre of each specimen |
Control Panel
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wiring | Integrated |
| Temperature Measurement | Included |
| Display | Digital indicators |
Key Features
Experiments
Construction and Design
The Unsteady State Heat Transfer Module ThermoFlux - 7049/5 is built around a 5-litre insulated stainless steel water bath fitted with a top plate and a dedicated mounting for the solid shapes holder. An integral flow duct runs through the bath. An external water circulating pump, with flow rate adjusted by valve, maintains continuous water movement to ensure uniform temperature distribution throughout the bath volume. A thermostat provides precise pre-experiment temperature control.
The 300 W heating element is fitted with internal thermal protection. This protection circuit automatically disconnects power if the heater is switched on without adequate water coverage. Repeated dry-run exposure should be avoided to preserve component service life.
Seven solid specimens are supplied for use in this unsteady state heat transfer module: brass and stainless steel samples formed into three distinct geometries, solid sphere, rectangular slab, and long solid cylinder. Each specimen has a factory-fitted temperature sensor at its geometric centre, providing direct measurement of core thermal response during transient heating events.
The control panel consolidates all wiring, temperature measurement connections, and digital display indicators in one accessible location. The module is designed to operate in conjunction with the Heat Transfer Service Unit ThermoFlux - 7049/5, which provides the data acquisition capability required for the qualitative conduction observation experiment.
Scope of Delivery
Required for Operation
Q1: What solid shapes and materials are supplied with the ThermoFlux - 7049/5?
Seven specimens are supplied in two materials, brass and stainless steel, formed into three geometric shapes: solid sphere, rectangular slab, and long solid cylinder. Each specimen has a built-in temperature sensor at its centre.
Q2: Why does the heater have an automatic cut-off feature?
The 300 W heating element includes internal thermal protection that automatically disconnects power if the heater is activated without sufficient water in the bath. This prevents overheating damage. Users should avoid repeated dry-run conditions to avoid premature heater failure.
Q3: Is additional equipment required to operate the ThermoFlux - 7049/5?
Yes. The Heat Transfer Service Unit ThermoFlux - 7049 is required for operation. It provides data acquisition capability, which is specifically needed for the qualitative unsteady-state heat conduction observation experiment.
Q4: How is uniform bath temperature maintained during experiments?
An external water circulating pump moves water continuously through an integral flow duct within the stainless steel bath. Flow rate is controlled by a valve. A thermostat allows the bath temperature to be set and held at a nominally constant level before experiments begin.
Q5: What analytical methods does this module support?
The module supports three analytical approaches: analytical transient-temperature charts, heat flow charts for multi-shape comparison, and the Lumped Thermal Capacitance method for transient temperature analysis. It also supports determination of thermal conductivity of a solid cylinder by comparison with a cylinder of known thermal conductivity.