Measurement of the properties of liquids and gases using a transient hot-wire technique

A transient method of making simultaneous, in situ measurements of the thermal conductivity, volumetric specific heat, and kinematic viscosity of liquids and gases is presented. The technique utilizes the temperature response record of a fine horizontal wire, functioning as a resistance thermometer, when subjected to a sudden and constant electrical heating. It is shown that a formulation of the transient mechanisms governing the transition from pure conductive to free convective heat transfer from the wire can be used to produce simultaneous determinations of fluid properties from a single wire temperature versus time record. A simple apparatus is presented, along with the results of its use in determining the properties of air.