Algorithm to optimize transient hot-wire thermal property measurement

The transient hot-wire method has been widely used to measure the thermal conductivity of fluids. The ideal working equation is based on the solution of the transient heat conduction equation for an infinite linear heat source assuming no natural convection or thermal end effects. In practice, the assumptions inherent in the model are only valid for a portion of the measurement time. In this study, an algorithm was developed to automatically select the proper data range from a transient hot-wire experiment. Numerical simulations of the experiment were used in order to validate the algorithm. The experimental results show that the developed algorithm can be used to improve the accuracy of thermal conductivity measurements.