Heat transfer rate target module.

摘要

The invention is an apparatus and method for measuring the heat transfer and the rate of heat transfer in thermal exchange processes such as food processing, thermosetting of plastics, and freezing processes. The apparatus comprises a target module (10) and a data recording module (20). The target module (10) comprises a target (30) having a known mass and known thermal characteristics. The black body edge effects of the target are minimized by an edge shield (70) positioned adjacent to the target. The edge shield (70) is physically separated from the target (30) so that conductive heat transfer between the two elements is minimized. The edge shield (70) supports the target (30) such that at least one surface of the target is exposed to the surrounding environment. A temperature sensor (36) measures the change in temperature of the target (30). The data recording module (20) may be insulated so that the calorimetric data may be recorded in extreme temperature environments. <IMAGE>