Research Article

Characterization of a spherical heat source for measuring thermal conductivity and water content of ethanol and water mixtures

¹ National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro), Av. Nossa Senhora das Graças, 50, Xerém, Duque de Caxias, RJ, CEP: 25250-020, Brazil
² Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 225, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 22451-900, Brazil
³ Georges Bonnier Consultant, Rue Charles Perrault, 14, Montsoult 95560, France

^⁎ Corresponding author: jdbrionizio@inmetro.gov.br

Received: 4 July 2016
Accepted: 2 May 2017

Abstract

The study and the development of measuring methods of thermal conductivity are essential in several engineering applications, since as a consequence of the current justified demands on saving and rational use of thermal energy, the heat transfer with the maximum efficient as possible is of great relevance. The measurement of the water content is also a relevant parameter in several research areas and industrial sectors, since the quantity of water in the substances influences several biological, chemical and physical processes. The aim of this paper is to present an experimental and theoretical study, following the good metrological practices, of a method based on a spherical heat source in order to measure the thermal conductivity of liquids, focusing on water, ethanol and their mixtures, with later determination of the water content of the binary samples.