Convection Coefficient Estimation of Still Air Using an Infrared Thermometer and Curve-Fitting

Abstract

The convection coefficient is an important thermal property. In this study, using an infrared thermometer, the convection coefficient of still air is estimated. First, the sample is heated in a sintering oven, then placed on a wood table for obtaining an almost adiabatic boundary, finally its temperature is recorded with respect to time using an infrared thermometer. The data is curve-fitted to find the sample temperature as a function of time. Using the sample’s physical dimensions, the specific heat capacity and the mass of the sample, the convection coefficient of still air is estimated.