Quick Answer: Natural Convection Apparatus uses a vertical brass pipe, 38 mm O.D. and 500 mm long, heated by an internal cartridge heater inside a 200 mm x 200 mm x 800 mm enclosure with one Perspex side. 7 thermocouples along the pipe give local temperatures for heat transfer coefficient calculations.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Vertical brass pipe with cartridge heater inside
7 thermocouples along the length of the pipe
Enclosure with one Perspex side for undisturbed natural convection currents
Dimmerstat for heater input; voltmeter and ammeter for measurement
Multichannel digital temperature indicator
Technical manual supplied
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Pipe
Brass, 38 mm dia. (OD), 500 mm long
Heater
Cartridge heater inside the pipe
Thermocouples
7 nos.
Enclosure
200 mm x 200 mm x 800 mm, one side Perspex
Controls
Dimmerstat; voltmeter and ammeter; multichannel digital temperature indicator
Bench area
1.5 m x 0.75 m at working height
Supply
230 V, 5 A, AC with earthing connection
About This Product
The heated pipe loses heat to the atmosphere by natural convection, and the enclosure keeps the convection currents undisturbed. From the heater input and the local pipe temperatures, students determine the overall and local heat transfer coefficients at various heat transfer rates. Set up in a HEAT TRANSFER LAB, the unit needs a bench area of 1.5 m x 0.75 m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is the pipe placed in an enclosure? The enclosure provides undisturbed natural convection currents around the heated pipe; one side is Perspex.
Q2. What results can students obtain from the natural convection apparatus? Overall and local heat transfer coefficients in natural convection at various heat transfer rates.
