- TH LABORATORY -
Heat transfer laboratory delivered to the „Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati
OVERVIEW
In December 2025, Sangari delivered a complete heat transfer laboratory to the „Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, made up of 9 didactic experimental benches. The benches cover the full scope of heat transfer taught at university level - from the measurement of state quantities (temperature and humidity), to the three fundamental modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), and on to phase-change processes (boiling, condensation, vapour pressure) and the optimisation of heat exchangers.
The benches were designed as a unified family, sharing the same constructive and graphic language: each apparatus is instrumented with dedicated sensors, has its own control and data-visualisation interface, and is accompanied by a didactic poster explaining the physical phenomenon under study. Each bench is described briefly below; the full poster can be viewed from each card.
Temperature measurement methods
A bench dedicated to measuring temperature - one of the seven fundamental quantities, expressed in Kelvin. It brings together five measurement principles on the same object of study: bimetallic thermometer (0…120 °C), Seebeck-effect thermocouple (-200…1250 °C), thermistor based on electrical-resistance variation (-250…650 °C), liquid-filled thermometer and a non-contact infrared sensor (40…1500 °C). It also includes a sensor calibration procedure.
Humidity measurement methods
A bench for studying air humidity - the amount of water vapour in an environment, expressed as an absolute, relative or specific value. Several instruments are compared: an electronic humidity sensor, a psychrometer and a hair hygrometer, together with a humidifier and a dehumidifier for controlling the environment. Readings are interpreted using the psychrometric chart, used in air-conditioning and ventilation.
Heat transfer by conduction
A bench for studying conduction - heat transfer through a solid medium, from a region of higher energy to one of lower energy. With a heating element, a cooling element and temperature sensors, the heat flux is measured as a function of thermal transmittance, surface area and temperature difference. The bench illustrates the thermal resistance of multilayer walls and the analogy with electrical resistances in series and parallel.
Heat transfer by convection
A bench for studying convection - heat transfer between a surface and a moving fluid. A heating element, an axial fan and a row of temperature sensors allow the convective heat-transfer coefficient to be determined under both free and forced convection. The bench highlights boundary-layer effects and the links to the Reynolds, Prandtl and Nusselt numbers.
Heat transfer by radiation
A bench for studying thermal radiation - energy transferred by electromagnetic waves, with no direct contact. A heating element mounted on a transport rail and an infrared temperature sensor measure the radiated flux as a function of distance. Students study the Stefan-Boltzmann law, the emissivity of real bodies relative to the ideal black body, and the incident radiation coming from the surroundings.
Study of the boiling process
A bench for studying boiling - the phenomenon that occurs at the solid-liquid interface when the surface temperature exceeds the saturation temperature. A metal element heated by induction is cooled in water, tracing the boiling curve: the nucleate regime, the critical point, the transition regime, the Leidenfrost point and film boiling. The bench highlights how the heat-transfer coefficient depends on the temperature difference.
Variation of water-vapour pressure with temperature
A bench for studying the saturation pressure of water vapour. In a sealed vessel fitted with a safety valve, a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor, the rise of saturation pressure with temperature is measured, in the dynamic equilibrium between evaporation and condensation. The results are correlated with the phase diagram of water and with the ideal-gas law.
Study of the condensation process
A bench for studying condensation - the transition of vapour into the liquid state when the partial pressure exceeds the saturation pressure. The bench compares the two regimes: filmwise condensation on hydrophilic surfaces, where the condensate film reduces efficiency in proportion to its thickness, and dropwise condensation on hydrophobic surfaces, which is more efficient. The heat flux, flow rate and fluid temperature change are measured.
Optimising heat transfer with heat exchangers
A bench for studying heat exchangers - equipment that transfers heat between two separated fluids at different temperatures. It comprises a reservoir, circulation pumps, flow meters, control valves and temperature sensors, allowing three constructive types to be compared: shell-and-tube (with shell and baffles), plate, and tube-in-tube exchangers, in both co-current and counter-current flow.