Question set 165
Time Constant
1. The time constant of a thermocouple is the time taken to
a) Minimum time taken to record a temperature reading
b) Attain 50% of initial temperature difference
c) Attain the final value to be measured
d) Attain 63.2% of the value of the initial temperature difference
Answer: d
Explanation: The time constant of a thermocouple represents the time required to attain 63.2% value.
2. A thermocouple junction of spherical form is to be used to measure the temperature of the gas stream. The junction is at 20 degree Celsius and is placed in a gas stream which is at 200 degree Celsius. Make calculations for junction diameter needed for the thermocouple to have thermal time constant of one second. Assume the thermos-physical properties as given below
k = 20 W/ m K
h = 350 W/m2 K
c = 0.4 k J/kg K
p = 8000 kg/m3
a) 0.556 mm
b) 0.656 mm
c) 0.756 mm
d) 0.856 mm
Answer: b
Explanation: T = p V c/h A = p r c/3h. So, r = 3 h T/p c = 0.000328 m = 0.328 m.
3. A low value of time constant can be achieved for a thermocouple by
(i) Increasing the wire diameter
(ii) Increasing the value heat transfer coefficient
(iii) Use light metals of low density and low specific heat
a) ii and iii
b) i and iii
c) i and ii
d) i, ii and iii
Answer: a
Explanation: Diameter of wire should be less.
4. Which of the following has units of time constant? (Where, P is density, A is area, c is specific heat and V is volume)
a) p V/h A
b) p c/h A
c) p V c/h A
d) V c/h A
Answer: c
Explanation: It has the unit of time and is time constant of the system.
5. “Thermal radiation suffers no attenuation in a vacuum”.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: It is gradual loss of intensity of any kind of flux.
6. How does the body temperature falls or rises with time?
a) Logarithmic
b) Parabolic
c) Linear
d) Exponentially
Answer: d
Explanation: The rate depends on the parameter h A/p V c.
7. The lumped parameter solution for transient conduction can be conveniently stated as
a) t – t a/t I – t a = 2 exponential (- B I F 0)
b) t – t a/t I – t a = exponential (- B I F 0)
c) t – t a/t I – t a = 3 exponential (- B I F 0)
d) t – t a/t I – t a = 6 exponential (- B I F 0)
Answer: b
Explanation: This is the general solution for lumped system parameter.
8. An iron billet (k = 65 W/m K) measuring 20 * 15 * 80 cm is exposed to a convective flow resulting in convection coefficient of 11.5 W/m2 K. Determine the Biot number
a) 0.02376
b) 0.008974
c) 0.004563
d) 0.006846
Answer: d
Explanation: B = h L C/k = 0.006846.
9. A mercury thermometer with bulb idealized as a sphere of 1 mm radius is used for measuring the temperature of fluid whose temperature is varying at a fast rate. For mercury
k = 10 W/m K
α = 0.00005 m2/s
h = 10 W/m2 K
If the time for the temperature change of the fluid is 3 second, what should be the radius of thermocouple to read the temperature of the fluid?
For the thermocouple material
k = 100 W/m K
α = 0.0012 m2/s
h = 18 W/m2 K
a) .864 mm
b) .764 mm
c) .664 mm
d) .564 mm
Answer: a
Explanation: T = k l/h α. So, radius is 0.864 mm.
10. A thermocouple junction of spherical form is to be used to measure the temperature of the gas stream. The junction is at 20 degree Celsius and is placed in a gas stream which is at 200 degree Celsius. Make calculations for junction diameter needed for the thermocouple to have thermal time constant of one second. Assume the thermos-physical properties as given below
k = 20 W/ m K
h = 350 W/m2 K
c = 0.4 k J/kg K
p = 8000 kg/m3
a) 0.456 mm
b) 0.556 mm
c) 0.656 mm
d) 0.756 mm
Answer: c
Explanation: T = p V c/h A = p r c/3 h.