Continuous Heat Transfer in an Automobile Heater Core for Investigation of Film Resistance Effects in a Chemical Engineering Experimental Context

Authors

  • Robert Barat New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States
  • Rees B. Rankin New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18260/2-1-370.660-138111

Abstract

This experiment offered students the opportunity to study continuous forced heat transfer between a hot liquid and a gas.  The students evaluated the heat transfer characteristics of an air-cooled finned heat exchanger - specifically, the heater core from an automobile - a mundane yet important device.   Hot and cold fluid inlet and exit temperatures were recorded as functions of the fluid flow rates. The students then determined the energy balances and estimates of the overall heat transfer coefficients.  Variation of the overall coefficient with each of the fluid flow rates revealed the controlling resistance to heat transfer.

Author Biographies

Robert Barat, New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

Robert Barat, PhD, is a professor emeritus of chemical engineering in the Otto H. York Chemical and Materials Engineering Department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He earned his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While teaching, he integrated his research interests into undergraduate experiments, including reaction kinetics and applied optics.  

Corresponding author: barat@njit.edu

Rees B. Rankin, New Jersey Institute of Technology, United States

Rees B Rankin, Ph.D., is a Laboratory Director in the Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and was previously an Assistant Professor at Villanova University, and held postdoctoral research appointments at Purdue University, Argonne National Laboratory (CNM), and the University of Pittsburgh. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of informed experimentation with computational modeling, contextualized systems-level design thinking, creative problem solving, and modern best practices in pedagogy.

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Published

2025-10-23

Issue

Ahead of Print (Articles ASAP)

Section

Manuscripts