Instrumentation With Computerized Data Acquisition For An Innovative Thermal Conductivity Apparatus

Abstract

An innovative method and a novel research apparatus are being developed to measure the thermal conductivity of a non-Newtonian fluid while it is subjected to shearing flow, and to determine its dependence, if any, on shearing itself. This is contrary to the current state-of-the-art of measuring thermal conductivity under the condition of motionless fluid, to avoid convective heat transfer influence on the results. The emphasis here is given to the apparatus' instrumentation and computerized data acquisition design and its educational demonstration as a purposeful and typical application example, while a detailed description of the mechanical design and test results will be presented elsewhere. The measurement and control are accomplished and integrated by using a computerized data acquisition system and a comprehensive virtual instrument, developed using the LabVIEW application software. The designed system accomplishes the following objectives: (a) acquire measured data with high speed and accuracy; (b) interactively process/analyze measured data for immediate use or store it for future post-processing; (c) provide interactive and accurate, feedback process control-motor speed and guard-heating power, and (d) interactively display data in graphical and/or numerical forms. In addition, this system allows for easy modification and enhancement of virtual (software) instruments by modification of software programs.