DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (ISM) DHANBAD
Subject: Heat and Mass Transfer (NMEC208)
Session: 2025-2026 (Winter)
Class: [Link]. 4th sem (Mechanical Engg.)
Tutorial Sheet: Module 2 (Conduction)
1. Consider a plane wall 100 mm thick and of thermal conductivity 100 W/m K. Steady-state
conditions are known to exist with T1 = 400 K and T2 = 600 K. Determine the heat flux qx”
and the temperature gradient dT/dx for the coordinate systems shown. Ans: -200 kW/ m2,
+200 kW/ m2, -200 kW/ m2, 2000 K/m, -2000 K/m, 2000 K/m
2. A cylinder of radius ro, length L, and thermal conductivity k is immersed in a fluid of
convection coefficient h and unknown temperature T∞. At a certain instant the temperature
distribution in the cylinder is 𝑇(𝑟) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑟 2 , where a and b are constants. Obtain
expressions for the heat transfer rate at ro and the fluid temperature. Ans:𝑻∞ = 𝒂 +
𝟐𝒌
𝒃𝒓𝟎 [𝒓𝟎 + ]
𝒉
3. In the two-dimensional body illustrated, the gradient at surface A is found to be 𝜕𝑇⁄𝜕𝑦 =
40 𝐾/𝑚. What are 𝜕𝑇⁄𝜕𝑦 and 𝜕𝑇⁄𝜕𝑥 at surface B? Ans: 0, 80 K/m
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4. One-dimensional, steady-state conduction with uniform internal energy generation occurs in
a plane wall with a thickness of 50 mm and a constant thermal conductivity of 5 W/m K. For
these conditions, the temperature distribution has the form, 𝑇(𝑥) = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐𝑥 2 . The
surface at x = 0 has a temperature of 𝑇(0) = 𝑇0 = 1200 𝐶 and experiences convection with a
fluid for which 𝑇0 = 200 𝐶 and h=500 W/m2. The surface at x=L is well insulated.
a. Applying an overall energy balance to the wall, calculate the internal energy generation
rate, 𝑞̇ . Ans: 𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑾⁄𝒎𝟑
b. Determine the coefficients a, b, and c by applying the boundary conditions to the
prescribed temperature distribution. Use the results to calculate and plot the temperature
distribution. Ans: 𝒂 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝑪, 𝒃 = 𝟏. 𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑲⁄𝒎 , 𝒄 = −𝟏. 𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑲⁄𝒎𝟐
c. Consider conditions for which the convection coefficient is halved, but the internal
energy generation rate remains unchanged. Determine the new values of a, b, and c, and
use the results to plot the temperature distribution. Hint: recognize that T(0) is no longer
120°C. Ans: 𝒂 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝑪, 𝒃 = 𝟏. 𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑲⁄𝒎 , 𝒄 = −𝟏. 𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝑲⁄𝒎𝟐
5. A dormitory at a large university, built 50 years ago, has exterior walls constructed of Ls =
25-mm-thick sheathing with a thermal conductivity of ks = 0.1 W/mK. To reduce heat losses
in the winter, the university decided to encapsulate the entire dormitory by applying a Li =
25-mm-thick layer of extruded insulation characterized by ki = 0.029 W/mK to the exterior of
the original sheathing. The extruded insulation is, in turn, covered with an Lg = 5-mm-thick
architectural glass with kg = 1.4 W/mK. Determine the heat flux through the original and
retrofitted walls when the interior and exterior air temperatures are T∞,i = 220 C and T∞,o = -
200 C, respectively. The inner and outer convection heat transfer coefficients are hi = 5
W/m2K and ho = 25 W/m2K, respectively. Ans: 85.7 W/m2, 31.0 W/m2
6. A house has a composite wall of wood, fiberglass insulation, and plaster board, as indicated
in the sketch. On a cold winter day, the convection heat transfer coefficients are h o = 60
W/m2 K and hi = 30 W/m2 K. The total wall surface area is 350 m2 .
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(a) Determine a symbolic expression for the total thermal resistance of the wall, including
inside and outside convection effects for the prescribed conditions.
𝟏 𝑳𝒑 𝑳 𝑳 𝟏
Ans: 𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕 = 𝒉 𝑨 + 𝒌 + 𝒌 𝒃𝑨 + 𝒌 𝒔𝑨 + 𝒉
𝒊 𝒑𝑨 𝒃 𝒔 𝒐𝑨
(b) Determine the total heat loss through the wall. Ans: 4.21 kW
(c) If the wind were blowing violently, raising ho to 300 W/m2 K, determine the percentage
increase in the heat loss. Ans: 0.6%
(d) What is the controlling resistance that determines the amount of heat flow through the
wall? Ans: material layer
7. A t = 10-mm-thick horizontal layer of water has a top surface temperature of Tc = - 40 C and
a bottom surface temperature of Th = 20 C. Determine the location of the solid–liquid
interface at steady state. (Thermal conductivity of water is 0.574 W/m.K and of Ice is 1.88
W/m.K.) Ans: 1.31 mm
8. Approximately 106 discrete electrical components can be placed on a single integrated circuit
(chip), with electrical heat dissipation as high as 30,000 W/m2 . The chip, which is very thin,
is exposed to a dielectric liquid at its outer surface, with ho= 1000 W/m2 K and T∞,o = 200C,
and is joined to a circuit board at its inner surface. The thermal contact resistance between
the chip and the board is 10-4 m2K/W, and the board thickness and thermal conductivity are
Lb = 5 mm and kb = 1 W/mK, respectively. The other surface of the board is exposed to
ambient air for which hi= 40 W/m2 K and T∞,i = 200C.
(a) Sketch the equivalent thermal circuit corresponding to steady-state conditions. In variable
form, label appropriate resistances, temperatures, and heat fluxes.
(b) Under steady-state conditions for which the chip heat dissipation is 𝑞𝑐" = 30,000 W/m2 ,
what is the chip temperature? Ans: 490C
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9. A thin electrical heater is wrapped around the outer surface of a long cylindrical tube whose
inner surface is maintained at a temperature of 50C. The tube wall has inner and outer radii of
25 and 75 mm, respectively, and a thermal conductivity of 10 W/m K. The thermal contact
resistance between the heater and the outer surface of the tube (per unit length of the tube) is
′
𝑅𝑡,𝑐 = 0.01𝑚. 𝐾/𝑊. The outer surface of the heater is exposed to a fluid with T∞ =-100C and
a convection coefficient of h = 100 W/m2 K. Determine the heater power per unit length of
tube required to maintain the heater at To =250C. Ans: 2377 W/m.
10. A spherical tank for storing liquid oxygen on the space shuttle is to be made from stainless
steel (ks = 9.2 W/mK) of 0.80-m outer diameter and 5-mm wall thickness. The boiling point
and latent heat of vaporization of liquid oxygen are 90 K and 213 kJ/kg, respectively. The
tank is to be installed in a large compartment whose temperature is to be maintained at 240
K. Design a thermal insulation system of aluminum foil-glass paper insulation (at T = 150 K,
ki = 0.000017 W/mK) that will maintain oxygen losses due to boiling below 1 kg/day. The
combined convection and radiation heat transfer coefficient can be taken as 10 W/m2K. Ans:
2.1 mm
11. Electric current flows through a long rod generating thermal energy at a uniform volumetric
rate of 𝑞̇ = 2 × 106 𝑊 ⁄𝑚3 . The rod is concentric with a hollow ceramic cylinder, creating
an enclosure that is filled with air. The thermal resistance per unit length due to radiation
′
between the enclosure surfaces is 𝑅𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 0.30 𝑚. 𝐾/𝑊, and the coefficient associated with
free convection in the enclosure is h = 20 W/m2 K.
a. Construct a thermal circuit that can be used to calculate the surface temperature of the rod,
Tr. Label all temperatures, heat rates, and thermal resistances, and evaluate each thermal
resistance.
b. Calculate the surface temperature of the rod for the prescribed conditions. Ans: 2390C
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12. A hollow aluminum sphere (k=237 W/m.K.), with an electrical heater in the center, is used in
tests to determine the thermal conductivity of insulating materials. The inner and outer radii
of the sphere are 0.15 and 0.18 m, respectively, and testing is done under steady-state
conditions with the inner surface of the aluminum maintained at 2500C. In a particular test, a
spherical shell of insulation is cast on the outer surface of the sphere to a thickness of 0.12 m.
The system is in a room for which the air temperature is 200C and the convection coefficient
at the outer surface of the insulation is 30 W/m2 K. If 80W are dissipated by the heater under
steady-state conditions, what is the thermal conductivity of the insulation? Ans: 0.062 W/mK.
13. A spherical, cryosurgical probe may be imbedded in diseased tissue for the purpose of
freezing, and thereby destroying, the tissue. Consider a probe of 3-mm diameter whose
surface is maintained at -300C when imbedded in tissue that is at 370C. A spherical layer of
frozen tissue forms around the probe, with a temperature of 00C existing at the phase front
(interface) between the frozen and normal tissue. If the thermal conductivity of frozen tissue
is approximately 1.5 W/m K and heat transfer at the phase front may be characterized by an
effective convection coefficient of 50 W/m2 K, what is the thickness of the layer of frozen
tissue (assuming negligible perfusion)? Ans: 5.34 mm
14. The air inside a chamber at T∞,i = 500C is heated convectively with hi = 20 W/m2 K by a
200-mm-thick wall having a thermal conductivity of 4 W/m K and a uniform heat generation
of 1000 W/m3. To prevent any heat generated within the wall from being lost to the outside
of the chamber at T∞,o = 250C with ho = 5 W/m2 K, a very thin electrical strip heater is
placed onthe outer wall to provide a uniform heat flux, 𝑞𝑜′ .
a. Sketch the temperature distribution in the wall on T _ x coordinates for the condition
where no heat generated within the wall is lost to the outside of the chamber.
b. What are the temperatures at the wall boundaries, T(0) and T(L), for the conditions of part
(a)? Ans: 650C, 600C
c. Determine the value of 𝑞𝑜′ that must be supplied by the strip heater so that all heat
generated within the wall is transferred to the inside of the chamber. Ans: 200 W/m2
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d. If the heat generation in the wall were switched off while the heat flux to the strip heater
remained constant, what would be the steady-state temperature, T(0), of the outer wall
surface? Ans: 550C
15. A thin flat plate of length L, thickness t, and width W >> L is thermally joined to two large
heat sinks that are maintained at a temperature To. The bottom of the plate is well insulated,
while the net heat flux to the top surface of the plate is known to have a uniform value of 𝒒"𝒐 .
a. Derive the differential equation that determines the steady-state temperature distribution
𝒒"
𝒐
T(x) in the plate. Ans: 𝑻(𝒙) = − 𝟐𝒌𝒕 (𝒙𝟐 − 𝑳𝒙) + 𝑻𝟎
b. Solve the foregoing equation for the temperature distribution, and obtain an expression
for the rate of heat transfer from the plate to the heat sinks. Ans: 𝒒"𝒐 𝑾𝑳
16. Radioactive wastes (krw = 20 W/m K) are stored in a spherical, stainless steel (kss = 15 W/m
K) container of inner and outer radii equal to ri = 0.5 m and ro = 0.6 m. Heat is generated
volumetrically within the wastes at a uniform rate of 𝑞̇ = 105 W/m3, and the outer surface of
the container is exposed to a water flow for which h =1000 W/m2 K and T∞ = 250C.
a. Evaluate the steady-state outer surface temperature, Ts,o. Ans: 36.60C
b. Evaluate the steady-state inner surface temperature, Ts,i. Ans: 129.40C
c. Obtain an expression for the temperature distribution, T(r), in the radioactive wastes.
Express your result in terms of ri, Ts,i, krw, and 𝑞̇ . Evaluate the temperature at r = 0. Ans:
𝒒̇
𝑻(𝒓) = 𝑻𝒔,𝒊 + 𝟔𝒌𝒐 (𝒓𝟐𝟏 − 𝒓𝟐 ), 337.70C
𝒓𝒘
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17. An air heater may be fabricated by coiling Nichrome wire and passing air in cross flow over
the wire. Consider a heater fabricated from wire of diameter D = 1 mm, electrical resistivity
ρe = 10-6 Ω m, thermal conductivity k = 25 W/m K, and emissivity ε = 0.20. The heater is
designed to deliver air at a temperature of T∞ = 500C under flow conditions that provide a
convection coefficient of h = 250 W/m2 K for the wire. The temperature of the housing that
encloses the wire and through which the air flows is Tsur = 500C. If the maximum allowable
temperature of the wire is Tmax = 12000C, what is the maximum allowable electric current I?
If the maximum available voltage is ∆E =110 V, what is the corresponding length L of wire
that may be used in the heater and the power rating of the heater? Hint: In your solution,
assumenegligible temperature variations within the wire, but after obtaining the desired
results, assess the validity of this assumption. Ans: 29 Amp, 2.98 m, 3.19 kW
18. The exposed surface (x = 0) of a plane wall of thermal conductivity k is subjected to
microwave radiation that causes volumetric heating to vary as 𝑞̇ (𝑥) = 𝑞̇ 𝑜 (1 −
𝑥 𝑊
) , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑞̇ ( ) is a constant. The boundary at x = L is perfectly insulated, while the
𝐿 𝑚3
exposed surface is maintained at a constant temperature To. Determine the temperature
𝒒̇ 𝒐 𝒙𝟐 𝒙𝟑 𝒒̇ 𝒐 𝑳
distribution T(x) in terms of x, L, k, 𝑞̇ 𝑜 and To. Ans: 𝑻(𝒙) = − [ 𝟐 − 𝟔𝑳] + + 𝑻𝟎
𝟐 𝟐𝒌
19. Turbine blades mounted to a rotating disc in a gas turbine engine are exposed to a gas stream
that is at T∞ = 12000C and maintains a convection coefficient of h = 250 W/m2 K over the
blade. The blades, which are fabricated from Inconel, k =20 W/m K, have a length of L = 50
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mm. The blade profile has a uniform cross-sectional area of Ac = 6 _× 10-4 m2 and a
perimeter of P = 110 mm. A proposed blade-cooling scheme, which involves routing air
through the supporting disc, is able to maintain the base of each blade at a temperature of Tb
= 3000C.
A. If the maximum allowable blade temperature is 10500C and the blade tip may be assumed to
be adiabatic, is the proposed cooling scheme satisfactory? Ans: Yes
B. For the proposed cooling scheme, what is the rate at which heat is transferred from each
blade to the coolant? Ans: 508 W
20. A pin fin of uniform, cross-sectional area is fabricated of an aluminum alloy (k = 160 W/m
K). The fin diameter is D = 4 mm, and the fin is exposed to convective conditions
characterized by h = 220 W/m2 K. It is reported that the fin efficiency is ηf = 0.65.
Determine the fin length L and the fin effectiveness εf. Account for tip convection. Ans: 35.2
mm, 23.5
21. For each of the following cases, determine an appropriate characteristic length Lc and the
corresponding Biot number Bi that is associated with the transient thermal response of the
solid object. State whether the lumped capacitance approximation is valid. If temperature
information is not provided, evaluate properties at T= 300 K.
(a) A toroidal shape of diameter D= 50 mm and cross-sectional area Ac= 5 mm2 is of thermal
conductivity k= 2.3 W/m K. The surface of the torus is exposed to a coolant corresponding to
a convection coefficient of h= 50 W/m2 K. Ans: 0.63 mm
(b) A long, hot AISI 304 stainless steel bar of rectangular cross section has dimensions w= 3
mm, W= 5 mm, and L= 100 mm. The bar is subjected to a coolant that provides a heat
transfer coefficient of h= 15 W/m2 K at all exposed surfaces. Ans: 1.83 mm
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22. Steel balls 12 mm in diameter are annealed by heating to 1150 K and then slowly cooling to
400 K in an air environment for which 𝑇∞ =325 K and h= 20 W/m2K. Assuming the
properties of the steel to be k= 40 W/m K, ρ=7800 kg/m3, and c= 600 J/kg K, estimate the
time required for the cooling process. Ans: 0.312 hrs
Consider the steel balls of Problem, except now the air temperature increases with time as
𝑇∞ (𝑡) = 325 𝐾 + 𝑎𝑡where a= 0.1875 K/s. Find an expression for the ball temperature as a
function of time, T(t). Ans: 𝑻 = (𝑻𝒊 − 𝑻𝒐 + 𝒂⁄𝒌) 𝒆𝒙𝒑(−𝑪𝒕) + 𝒂(𝒕 − 𝟏⁄𝑪) + 𝑻𝒐 , 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑪 =
𝒉𝑨𝒔 ⁄𝝆𝑽𝒄
23. A large stainless-steel plate (k= 40 W/m K, ρ= 7800 kg/m3, and c= 600 J/kg K), 1.5 cm
thick and initially at a uniform temperature of 24°C, is placed in a furnace maintained at
930°C. The combined convection and radiation heat transfer coefficient may be taken as 90
W/m2K. Estimate the time required for the mid-plane temperature to reach 540°C and the
corresponding surface temperature?
24. A flaked cereal is of thickness 2L= 1.2 mm. The density, specific heat, and thermal
conductivity of the flake are, 700 kg/m3, cp= 2400 J/kg K, and k =0.34 W/m K, respectively.
The product is to be baked by increasing its temperature from Ti =200C to Tf =2200C in a
convection oven, through which the product is carried on a conveyor. If the oven is Lo =3 m
long and the convection heat transfer coefficient at the product surface and oven air
temperature are h= 55 W/m2K and T= 3000C, respectively, determine the required conveyor
velocity, V. An engineer suggests that if the flake thickness is reduced to 2L= 1.0 mm the
conveyor velocity can be increased, resulting in higher productivity. Determine
the required conveyor velocity for the thinner flake. Ans: 0.13 m/s and 0.16 m/s respectively.
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25. A plane wall of thickness L, initially at temperature Ti, is suddenly exposed to constant heat
flux, q” on one side and convective cooling on the other side. Obtain the temperature
variation in the wall as a function of time using lumped system approach. Also, find
expression of the steady state temperature.
𝒒" 𝒉
Ans: 𝜽 (𝒕) = 𝜽𝒊 𝒆−𝒎𝒕 + (𝟏 − 𝒆−𝒎𝒕 ) 𝒉 , 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝜽 = (𝑻 − 𝑻∞ ) 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎 = 𝝆𝒄𝑳
𝒒"
Steady state temperature: 𝜽 (∞) = 𝒉
26. Consider a 1.6 cm thick infinite slab of carbon steel at the initial temperature Ti=6100C. This
plate is suddenly plunged into a bath of water at a temperature 𝑻∞ =250C. The heat transfer
coefficient h is 104 W.m2K. The properties of carbon steel are: k=40 W/mK, and α=0.1
cm3/s.
a. Calculate the time t when the temperature in the mid plane of the slab drops to Tc=1100C
b. Determine also the corresponding temperature in a plane situated 0.2 cm from one of the
cooled surfaces of the plate. Use heisler chart.
Ans: t=11.5 s and T=84.50C
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