CHAPTER ONE – GENERAL INTRODUCTION
Outline
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Objectives
1.1 Introduction:
You are welcome to the unit FME 521 Heat Transfer II. In the unit FME 422 Heat
Transfer I, you learned about conduction heat transfer whereby the heat transfer occurs
by diffusion in a stationary media. In this unit we consider the other two modes of heat
transfer, i.e. Convection and Radiation. Convection heat transfer refers to energy transfer
between a surface and a fluid moving over the surface. Convection is comprised of two
mechanisms – energy transfer by the random molecular motion (diffusion), and by bulk
or macroscopic fluid motion (advection). This fluid motion is associated with the fact that
at any instant, large numbers of molecules are moving collectively or as aggregates. Such
a motion in the presence of temperature gradient contributes to heat transfer. Because the
molecules in the aggregate retain their random nature, the total heat transfer is then due to
a superposition of energy transport by the random motion of the molecules and by the
bulk motion of the fluid.
Convection is classified as natural (or free) or forced convection depending on how the
fluid motion is initiated. In forced convection, the fluid is forced to flow over a surface or
in a pipe by external means such as a pump or a fan. In natural convection any fluid
motion is caused by natural means such as the buoyancy effect which manifests itself as
the rise of warmer fluid and the fall of the cooler fluid.
Convection is also classified as external or internal depending on whether the fluid is
forced to flow over a surface or in a pipe. The flow of an unbounded fluid over a surface
such as a plate, a wire or a pipe is external flow. Flow in a pipe or duct is internal flow if
the fluid is completely bounded by solid surfaces. Water flow in a pipe for example is
internal flow. The flow of liquids in a duct is called open-channel flow if the duct is only
partially filled with the liquid and there is a free surface.
In chapter 2, we discuss convection heat transfer between a surface and a fluid flowing
over it (external) in laminar flow. Here, we examine the hydrodynamic boundary layer
and thermal boundary layer which develop as a consequence of the fluid – surface
interactions. Understanding the boundary layers is important in estimating momentum
and heat transfer rates between the fluid and the surface.
In chapter 3, we consider external turbulent flow. Due to difficulties in analyzing
turbulent flow, heat transfer correlations based on experimental data are suggested.
Another method is the relation between fluid friction and heat transfer from which
analogy relations are developed for estimating heat transfer coefficients.
Heat transfer and fluid flow in ducts or pipes i.e. internal flow are considered in Chapter
4.
Despite the complexity of convection, the rate of convection heat transfer is observed to
be proportional to the temperature difference and is conveniently expressed by Newton’s
law of cooling as, Qconv = hAs (Tw − T ) . h is the convection heat transfer coefficient, As is
the surface area through which convection heat transfer takes place, T w is the surface
temperature and T∞ is the temperature of the fluid sufficiently far from the surface. The
heat transfer coefficient h is not a physical constant of the fluid. h is a function of all the
parameters that affect the heat flow, such as viscosity and velocity and may even depend
on As and (Tw - T∞) because Q does not necessarily vary linearly with these variables.
Radiation heat transfer occurs as a result of the electromagnetic waves emitted by all
bodies at a temperature above absolute zero. The net heat transfer occurs from bodies at
higher temperature to those at lower temperature. Unlike conduction and convection,
radiation heat transfer does not require a medium. In Chapter 7, radiative properties are
briefly described. The properties included the absorptivity, reflectivity and transmissivity,
diffuse surfaces, specular radiation and radiation intensity. The laws governing various
aspects of thermal radiation are outlined, which included, plank’s law, kirchoffs law,
Wiens displacement law and Stefan – Boltzman law. The important concept of black
body radiation and heat exchange between black bodies are introduced. Also considered
is the view or shape factor and its properties.
In Chapter 8, radiation heat exchange between bodies is considered. The relations that
enable the estimation of the radiation exchange between black and gray surfaces are
described. This energy exchange depends on the surface geometry and orientations as
well as the radiative properties and temperatures. Also discussed briefly, is radiation in
the presence of absorbing and emitting medium.
2.2 Objectives:
After taking this unit, one should be able to;
1) Describe the heat transfer mechanism due to convection and radiation
2) State the factors and relations that govern heat transfer by forced convection and
free convection.
3) State the factors and relations that govern the heat transfer by radiation.
4) Explain the non-dimensional numbers associated with convection heat transfer.
5) Evaluate heat transfer in convection using experimental relations.