How the Baseboard Heating Element works

 

                          A student report prepared by Mickey T. Phagoo and David Scotti 

 

Figure 1

 

 

 

Figure 2

 

The above diagram illustrates a schematic of the temperature of the water, as it leaves the boiler, enters a room and then returns to the boiler.

·        The diagram shows the temperature of the water at its highest value, when the water is in the boiler.

·        As the water leaves the boiler the temperature of the water begins to decrease very slowly.

·        As the water enters the BHE unit in a room , there is a more dramatic loss in the heat of the water .

·        And as the water exits the BHE on its way back to the boiler , the temperature of the water continues to decrease , but note the loss in temperature is not as pronounced as in the room.

·        When the water reaches the boiler, the water is heated and the cycle continues again.   

 

Figure 3

 

• The above diagram show the motion of air as it circulates around a room.

• Air flow is developed  ( convection ).

• The heated BHE fins heat the surrounding cold air at the location of the BHE. 

• As the air is heated, it expands and rises.

• As the warm air rises it cools and moves down to the floor .

• The cool air is then heated again and the cycle continues .

 

Figure 4

     

The above diagram illustrates a schematic for the regions of a BHE fin, where the rate of heat transfer has varying levels of efficiency at different points on the fin.

•   Region 1 shows the portion of the fin that is the most efficient . Note this region of the fin is the closest to the floor and to the pipe.  

• Region 2 is the second most efficient part of the fin. Note it is also the second region  that is in direct contact with the pipe.

• Region 3 is the third most efficient part of the fin. Note this region is also the closest to the floor

• And region 4 is the least efficient part of the fin. Note this region is to the uppermost portion of the fin and is neither closest to the pipe or floor.  

 

Figure 5 

 

 

The above diagram illustrates the temperature of the air, as it moves upwards along the fin. 

• From the diagram, the lowest part of the fin ( region 3  figures 4  ), depicts the temperature of the air at its lowest point. 

•  The temperature of the air begins to increase as it moves along the fin until it reaches the middle of the fin ( region 1  figure 4 ). Note at this point the temperature of the fin is the greatest.

• At the highest part of the fin ( region 4  figure 4 ), the temperature continues to increase but at a decreasing rate. Until the temperature levels out.            

                                             

    Figure 6

 

       

          The above diagram illustrates the temperature along the fin 

• At the lower region of the fin ( region 3  figure 4 ) temperature is at its lowest , but its increasing.

• At the middle portion of the fin ( region 1  figure 4. Note the fin is in direct contact with the pipe ) the temperature of the fin is at its maximum.

• At the highest part of the fin ( region 4  figure 4 ) the temperature increases at a decreasing rate and at some point begins to level out ,almost asymptotically . 

 

Figure 7