Design, fabrication, and testing of heat conduction apparatuses at a low cost

This article presents the design, fabrication, and testing of three heat conduction apparatuses needed for engineering students. These devices are the axial heat transfer apparatus (AHTA), radial heat transfer apparatus (RHTA), and fin heat transfer apparatus (FHTA). These three devices allow students to undertake experiments in conduction heat transfer. The laboratory staff, with the help of third- and fourth-year classes, took this effective step to carry out experiments related to the heat transfer course. The use of surplus materials and locally available low-cost new instruments make them suitable for performing successful laboratory experiments at an affordable cost. The total cost of the three devices is 750 US$. Currently, the devices are in service and show excellent performance. The devices and experiments demonstrated in this work are simple and easy to create. Their design and fabrication are based on tools that are readily available in an engineering department. The experiments achieve important aspects in the study of heat transfer, which enhances students’ understanding of the conduction mechanism in solids.