HEAT TRANSFER

MODULE 1
BY:
DR. TUSHAR CHOUDHARY
ONE DIMENSIONAL STEADY STATE HEAT CONDUCTION
IN SIMPLE GEOMETRIES – PLANE WALL
 HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A PLANE WALL

 Consider a plane wall of homogeneous material through which heat

is flowing only in x-direction.
 Let, L = Thickness of the plane wall,
 A = Cross-sectional area of the wall,
 k = Thermal conductivity of the wall material, and
 t1, t2 = Temperatures maintained at the two faces 1 and 2 of the
wall, respectively.
 The general heat conduction equation in cartesian coordinates is
given by
 HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A PLANE WALL

 If the heat conduction takes place under the conditions, steady state

 one-dimensional By integrating the above differential twice, we have

 and with no internal heat generation

where C1 and C2 are the arbitrary constants. The values of

these constants may be calculated from the known boundary
 the above equation reduced to conditions as follows
 In Limit
HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A PLANE WALL
indicates that temperature distribution across a
Substituting the values of C1 and C2 in the eqn we get wall is linear and is independent of thermal
conductivity. Now heat through the plane wall
can be found by using Fourier's equation as
follows:
After simplification, we have

the eqn. reduces to

Above can be also be written as :
HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A COMPOSITE WALL
 Consider the transmission of heat through a
composite wall consisting of a number of slabs
 LA, LB, LC = Thicknesses of slabs A, Band C
respectively (also called path lengths),
 kA, kB, kc = Thermal conductivities of the slabs A,
B, and C respectively,
 t1, t4 (t1 > t4) = Temperatures at the wall surfaces
1 and 4 respectively, and
 t2, t3 = Temperatures at the interfaces 2 and 3
respectively.
 Since the quantity of heat transmitted per unit
time through each slab/layer is same, we have,
HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A COMPOSITE WALL
(Assuming that there is a perfect contact between the layers and no temperature drop occurs across the
interface between the materials).

Rearranging the above expression, we get

HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A COMPOSITE WALL
 Adding Above equations we get

 If the composite wall consists of n slabs/layers, then

HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A COMPOSITE WALL

 In order to solve more complex problems involving both series and parallel thermal resistances, the
electrical analogy may be used. A typical problem and its analogous electric circuit
QUESTIONS
The inner surface of a plane brick wall is at 60°C and the outer surface is at 35°C. Calculate the rate of
heat transfer per m2 of surface area of the wall, which is 220 mm thick. The thermal conductivity of the
brick is 0.51 W/m 0 C.

Solution. Given
Temperature of the inner surface of the wall , t, = 60°C
Temperature of the outer surface of the wall, t2 = 35 °c
The thickness of the wall, L = 220 mm= 0.22 m
Thermal conductivity of the brick, k= 0.51 W/m°C
Rate of heat transfer per m2, q :
Rate of heat transfer per unit area,
QUESTIONS
A reactors wall, 320 mm thick, is made up of an inner layer of fire brick (k = 0.84 W/m0C) covered with a
layer of insulation (k = 0.16 W/m0 C). The reactor operates at a temperature of 1325°C and the ambient
temperature is 25°C.
(i) Determine the thickness of fire brick and
insulation which gives minimum heat loss;
(ii) Calculate the heat loss presuming that the
insulating material has a maximum temperature
of 1200°C. A reactors wall, 320 mm thick,
is made up of an inner layer of fire brick (k = 0.84 W/m0C) covered with a layer of insulation (k = 0.16
W/m0 C). The reactor operates at a temperature of 1325°C and the ambient temperature is 25°C.
(i) Determine the thickness of fire brick and insulation which gives minimum heat loss;
(ii) Calculate the heat loss presuming that the insulating material has a maximum temperature
of 1200°C.
QUESTIONS

Solution
Given:
 QUESTIONS
Solution
(i) LA: LB:
(ii) Heat loss per unit area, q
The heat flux, under steady state conditions, is constant
throughout the wall and is same for each layer. Then for unit
area of wall,

If another layer of insulating material is added,

the heat loss from the wall will reduce;
consequently the temperature drop across the
fire brick lining will drop and the interface
temperature t2 will rise. As the interface
temperature is already fixed, therefore, a
satisfactory solution will not be available by
adding another layer of insulation
 QUESTIONS
A wall of a furnace is made up of inside layer of silica brick 120
mm thick covered with a layer of magnesite brick 240 mm thick.
The temperatures at the inside surface of silica brick wall and
outside surface of magnesite brick wall are 725°C and 110°C
respectively. The contact thermal resistance between the two
walls at the interface is 0.0035°C/W per unit wall area. If
thermal conductivities of silica and magnesite bricks are 1.7
W/m°C and 5.8 W/m°C, calculate.
(i) The rate of heat loss per unit area of walls, and
(ii) The temperature drop at the interface.
Solution.
Given
 QUESTIONS

The contact thermal resistance (Rth)cont.= 0.0035°C/W

The temperature at the inside surface of silica brick wall, t1 = 725°C
The temperature at the outside surface of the magnesite brick wall , t4 = I 10°

(i) The rate of heat loss per unit area

of wall, q:

= 5324.67 W/m2
 QUESTIONS
An exterior wall of a house may be approximated by a 0.1 m layer of
common brick (k = 0.7 W/m °C) followed by a 0.04m layer of gypsum
plaster (k = 0.48 W/m°C). What thickness of loosely packed rock wool
insulation (k = 0.065 W/m °C) should be added to reduce the heat loss or
(gain) through the wall by 80 percent ?
Solution
Given:
Thickness of common brick, LA = 0.1 m
Thickness of gypsum plaster, LB = 0.04 m
Thickness of rock wool , LC = x (in m) =?
Thermal conductivities :
Common brick, kA = 0.7W/m°C;
Gypsum plaster, kB = 0.48W/m°C;
Rock wool, kC = 0.065W/m0C
Case I. Rock wool insulation not used :
 QUESTIONS
Case II. Rock wool insulation used :

x = 0.0588 m or 58.8 mm

Thus, the thickness of rock wool insulation should be 58.8 mm

 QUESTIONS
A furnace wall consists of 200 mm layer of refractory bricks, 6 mm layer of
steel plate and a 100 mm layer of insulation bricks. The maximum
temperature of the wall is 1150°C on the furnace side and the minimum
temperature is 40°C on the outermost side of the wall. An accurate energy
balance over the furnace shows that the heat loss from the wall is 400
W/m2• It is known that there is a thin layer of air between the layers of
refractory bricks and steel plate. Thermal conductivities for the three
layers are 1.52, 45 and 0.138 W/m°C respectively. Find:
(i) To how many millimeters of insulation brick is the air layer equivalent?
(ii) What is the temperature of the outer surface of the steel plate?
Solution
Given
Thickness of refractory bricks, LA= 200 mm= 0.2 m
Thickness of steel plate, Le= 6 mm= 0.006 m
Thickness of insulation bricks, LD = 100 mm = 0.1 m
 QUESTIONS
Difference of temperature between the innermost and outermost sides of the wall
Δt = 1150 - 40 = 1110°C
Thermal conductivities :
kA = 1.52 W/m°C; kB= kD = 0.138 W/m°C; kC=45W/ m°C
Heat loss from the wall, q = 400 W/m2
x = 266.5 mm

(ii) Temperature of the outer surface of the steel plate tso:

tso= 329.8°C
CRITICAL THICKNESS OF INSULATION
Definition.
A material which retards the flow of heat with reasonable effectiveness is known as
'Insulation’.
Insulation serves the following two purposes:
(i) It prevents the heat flow from the system to the surroundings;
(ii) It prevents the heat flow from the surroundings to the system.
Applications :
(i) Boilers and steam pipes;
(ii) Airconditioning systems;
(iii) Food preserving stores and refrigerators;
(iv) Insulating bricks (employed in various types of furnaces);
(v) Preservation of liquid gases etc.
CRITICAL THICKNESS OF INSULATION

Factors affecting thermal conductivity :

Some of the important factors which affect thermal conductivity (k) of the insulators (the value of
k should be always low to reduce the rate of heat flow) are as follows :
• 1. Temperature. For most of the insulating materials, the value of k increases with increase in temperature.
• 2. Density. There is no mathematical relationship between k and p (density). The common understanding that high
density insulating materials will have higher values of k is not always true.
• 3. Direction of heat flow. For most of the insulating materials ( except few like wood) the effect of direction of
heat flow on the values of k is negligible.
• 4. Moisture. It is always considered necessary to prevent ingress of moisture in the insulating materials, during
service. it is, however, difficult to find the effect of moisture on the values of k of different insulating materials.
• 5. Air pressure. It has been found that the value of k decreases with decrease in pressure.
• 6. Convection in insulators. The value of k increases due to the phenomenon of convection in insulators.
 QUESTIONS
A furnace wall is composed of220 mm of fire brick, 150 mm of
common brick, 50 mm of 85% magnesia and 3 mm of steel
plate on the outside. If the inside surface temperature is
1500°C and outside surface temperature is 90°C, estimate the
temperatures between layers and calculate the heat loss in
k]/h- m2•
Assume, k (for fire brick) = 4kJ/mh-°C, k(for common brick)
= 2.8 kJ/mh-°C, k (for 85% magnesia) = 0.24 kl/m-h-°C, and
k (steel) = 240 kJ/m-h- 0 C.
 HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A HOLLOW CYLINDER
Consider a hollow cylinder made of material having
constant thermal conductivity and insulated at both ends.

Let, r1, r2 = Inner and outer radii;

t1, t2 = Temperatures of inner and outer surfaces, and
k = Constant thermal conductivity within the given
temperature range
The general heat conduction equation in cylindrical coordinates is given
by
HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A HOLLOW CYLINDER
HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A HOLLOW CYLINDER

Or

This expression for temperature distribution in a hollow cylinder

HEAT CONDUCTION THROUGH A HOLLOW CYLINDER
In Fourier's equation

Hence,
 QUESTIONS
A thick walled tube of stainless steel with 20 mm inner diameter and 40 mm outer diameter is convered with a 30 mm layer
of asbestos insulation (k = 0.2 W/m°C). If the inside wall temperature of the pipe is maintained at 600°C and the outside
insulation at 1000°C, calculate the heat loss per metre of length
Given
r1= 20/2=10mm= 0.01 m Heat transfer per metre of a length, Q/L
r2= 40/2=20mm= 0.02 m
r3= 20+30=50mm= 0.05 m
t1 = 600°C
t3 = 1000°C
kB = 0.2W/m°C
Since the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is not given, therefore,
neglecting the resistance offered by stainless steel to heat transfer across
the tube, we have

= -548.57 W/m
Negative sign indicates that the heat transfer
takes place radially inward
 QUESTIONS
A standard cast iron pipe (inner diameter = 50 mm and outer diameter = 55 mm) is insulated with 85 percent
magnesium insulation (k = 0.02 W/m°C). Temperature at the interface between the pipe and insulation is 300°C.
The allowable heat loss through the pipe is 600 W/m length of pipe and for the safety, the temperature of the
outside surface of insulation must not exceed 100°C
Determine :
(i) Minimum thickness of insulation required, and
(ii) The temperature of inside surface of the pipe assuming its thermal
conductivity 20 W/m0 C.
Given
r1= 50/2=25mm= 0.025 m
r2= 55/2=27.5mm= 0.0275 m
t2 = 300°C
t3 = 100°C
kB = 0.2W/m°C
kA = 20W/m°C
Heat loss per metre length of pipe Q/L = 600 W/m
 QUESTIONS
(i) Minimum thickness of insulation required, (r3 - r2) :

r3 = 0.0287 m or 28.7 mm

Minimum thickness of insulation required

r3 - r2 = 28.7 - 27.5 = 1.2 mm

The temperature of inside surface of the pipe, t1:

t1= 300°C
 HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES
Whenever the available surface is found inadequate to
transfer the required quantity of heat with the available
temperature drop and convective heat transfer coefficient,
extended surfaces or fins are used.

Application
(i) Economisers for steam power plants;
(ii) Convectors for steam and hot-water heating systems;
(iii) Radiators of automobiles;
(iv) Air-cooled engine cylinder heads;
( v) Cooling coils and condenser coils in refrigerators and air
conditioners;
(vi) Small capacity compressors;
( vii) Electric motor bodies;
( viii) Transformers and electronic equipment's etc.
APPLICATIONS OF FINS
 HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES
The rate of heat transfer from a surface at a temperature Ts to the
surrounding medium at Tis given by Newton’s law of cooling
as
l = Length of the fin (perpendicular to surface from which
heat is to be removed),
b = Width of the fin (parallel to the surface from which heat
is to be removed),
y = Thickness of the fin,
P = Perimeter of the fin [=2(b + y)],
Acs = Area of cross-section (=by),
t0 = Temperature at the base of the fin, and
ta = Temperature of the ambient/surrounding fluid,
k = Thermal conductivity (constant), and
h = Heat transfer coefficient (convective).
HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES

Qconv = h( [Link])(t − ta )
dt
Qcond = −kAc
dx
 HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES

a general form of the energy equation for one-dimensional

heat dissipation from an extended surface (fin).

Then the general solution of this linear and homogeneous second order differential equation is of
the form
 HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES
The other boundary condition depends on the physical situation. The following cases may be
considered :
Case I. The fin is infinitely long and the temperature at the end of the fin is essentially that of the
ambient/surrounding fluid.
The general expression for temperature distribution for an
Temperature Distribution is given by extended surface is given by

Using the following boundary conditions, we have

 HEAT TRANSFER IN EXTENDED SURFACES

Case II. The end of the fin is insulated. Case III. The fin is of finite length and loses heat by convection
 QUESTIONS
It is required to heat oil to about 300°C for frying purpose. A laddie is used in the frying. The section of the handle
is 5 mm x 18 mm. The surroundings are at 30°C. The conductivity of the material is 205 W/m°C. If the
temperature at a distance of 380 mm from the oil should not reach 40°C, determine the convective heat transfer
coefficient
Solution
Given
t0 = 300°C;
b= 18 mm= 0.018 m;
y= 5 mm= 0.005 m;
I= 380mm= 0.38 m;
k = 205 w /m°C; 40 − 30 − m0.38
ta= 30°C. =e
t= 40°C. 300 − 30
h = 30.l7 W/m2 °C
 QUESTIONS
Calculate the amount of energy required to solder together two very long pieces of bare copper wire 1.5 mm in
diameter with solder that melts at 190°C. The wires are positioned vertically in air at 20°C. Assume that the heat
transfer coefficient on the wire surface is 20W/m2°C and thermal conductivity of wire alloy is 330 W/m°C.

Solution
Given
d = 1.5 mm= 0.0015 m;
t0 = 190°C;
ta= 20°C; =12.71
h = 20 W/m2°C;
k= 330 W/m°C.
Qfin = 330 X 1.767 X 10-6 X 12.71 (190 - 20)
= 1.26 W
 QUESTIONS
Find out the amount of heat transferred through an iron fin of length 50 mm, width 100 mm and thickness 5 mm.
Assume k=210 kJ/mh°C and h=42 kJ/m2h°C for the material of the fin and the temperature at the base of the fin
as 80°C. Also determine the temperature at tip of the fin, if the atmosphere temperature is 20°C.
Solution
Given :
l = 50 mm= 0.05 m;
b = 100 mm= 0.1 m;
y = 5 mm= 0.005 m;
k = 210 kJ/mh°C;
h = 42 kJ/m2h°C;
t0 = 80°C;
ta = 20°C.

t =74.21°C, for 50mm

Qfin= 24.75 kJ/h
QUESTIONS
A turbine blade made of stainless steel (k = 29 W/m°C) is 60 mm long, 500 mm2, cross-sectional area and 120 mm
perimeter. The temperature of the root of blade is 480°C and it is exposed to products of combustion passing
through the turbine at 820°C. Here blade ends are not insulated. If the film coefficient between the blade and the
combustion gases is 320 W/m2°C, determine :
(i) The temperature at the middle of the blade;
(ii) The rate of heat flow from the blade.

Solution
Given:
l = 60 mm= 0.06 m;
A = 500 mm2 = 500 x 10-6 m2;
P = 120 mm= 0.12 m; cs
to= 480°C; t= 745.54
ta= 820°C;
k = 29 W /m°C; =- 253 W
h = 320 W /m °C