Course:VANT149/2025/Capstone/Science/Team13

Abstract

This project systematically explores how four container materials (stainless steel, glass, ceramic, plastic) and five NaCl concentrations (0%–50%) affect the cooling rate of hot water. Using a two-factor full factorial design, the study finds that cooling rates are positively related to material thermal conductivity, with stainless steel showing the highest rate and plastic the lowest. Additionally, the cooling rate increases non-linearly with salt concentration, with a 50% concentration leading to a 23–38% faster cooling rate compared to pure water. ANOVA results confirm significant main effects of both material and concentration, but no significant interaction between them. The findings provide valuable insights for thermal management systems, though suggestions for improving experimental control and data standardization are also discussed.

Keywords: Cooling Rate, Thermal Management, Thermal Conductivity

Biographies

Person 1

Ziyang Song studies at Vantage College, University of British Columbia. In this project, he is responsible for experimental design and data collection, focusing on the influence of different container materials on the cooling rate of hot water.

Person 2

Yuhan Yuan is a student at Vantage College, University of British Columbia. He analyzed the data of saltwater concentration and its effect on hot water cooling in the project, as well as contributing to the statistical analysis.