Testing Gabriel's friction heater: Results and Questions

[Chet K]

ION
Yes there are many factors to consider,I did speak a bit with Steve About the Control runs I did to simulate
Gabriel's  device last Month [pryor to shipping]
I had done many tests over several days with resistive heaters in Oil [as per his spec and volume ]
at 500 watt 750 watt and 1000 watt inputs ,static tests and stirring.
I put 30 ilbs of steel inside the stainless test vessel to simulate his steel mass as well.
all tests did fall short of Gabriels Marks [not by much].
I am out of town for a few,when I get back I'll pull the data ,Steve was most interested in the Time to Heat vrs input Curve  [oil]
Thx
Chet

[PhysicsProf]

Thanks, Chet.

I did one more quick control test today, room air still 16.8 C.  I switched the resistive heater to 1500 W; wanted to see what it would equilibrate to.  Actually pulled 1358W per the KAWatt meter, and the temp reached in the tent was 94.4 degC = 202F.

With 634 W, the same device reached (equilibrated at) 54.4 degC = 130F.  So, yes, the equilibrium temp rises markedly with input power, as expected.

 

[PhysicsProf]

DUT was tested once more before sending for repairs.  Gabriel had noted that the oil had to be about 80 F before the electric motor could handle it.  (Viscosity down as temp up).  I found it would not start (keep the electric motor going before auto-shutoff) until 101F!  Suggests internal problems.  Further, At that temp, the max heating was about 3.4 deg-f, dropping to about 1.5 deg-F/min around 200F (oil temp).  Much less than Gabriel's 6-7degF/min heating at roughly the same input watts.

So it needs repairing; hope Gabriel is not getting discouraged!    Will get another chance near future, let us hope.