Heat and Mass Transfer Prof.

Pradip Dutta

Module 4: Learning objectives

• The primary objective of this module is to develop an appreciation for the nature of
two- or multi-dimensional conduction problems and the methods that are available
for its solutions.
• For a multi-dimensional problem, the student should be able to determine whether an
exact solution is known. This may be done by examining one or more of the many
excellent references in which exact solutions to the heat equation are obtained.
• The student should understand what a conduction shape factor is, and link it to the
concept of thermal resistances in 2D problems. The student should be able to
determine whether the shape factor is known for the system, and if available, use to
solve the heat transfer problem.
• However, if conditions are such that the use of a shape factor or an exact solution is
not possible, the student should be able to use a numerical solution, such as the finite
difference method..
• The student should appreciate the inherent nature of the discretization process, and
know how to formulate the finite difference equations for the discrete points of a
nodal network. Although one may find it convenient to solve these equations using
hand calculations for a coarse mesh, one should be able to treat fine meshes using
standard computer algorithms involving direct or iterative techniques.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

MODULE 4
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL STEADY STATE
HEAT CONDUCTION
4.1 Introduction
We have, to this point, considered only One Dimensional, Steady State problems. The
reason for this is that such problems lead to ordinary differential equations and can be solved
with relatively ordinary mathematical techniques.

In general the properties of any physical system may depend on both location (x, y, z) and
time (τ). The inclusion of two or more independent variables results in a partial differential
equation. The multidimensional heat diffusion equation in a Cartesian coordinate system
can be written as:
"
1 ∂T ∂ 2T ∂ 2T ∂ 2 T q
⋅ = + + + (1)
a ∂τ ∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2 k

The above equation governs the Cartesian, temperature distribution for a three-dimensional
unsteady, heat transfer problem involving heat generation. To solve for the full equation, it
requires a total of six boundary conditions: two for each direction. Only one initial
condition is needed to account for the transient behavior. For 2D, steady state (∂/ ∂t = 0) and
without heat generation, the above equation reduces to:
∂ 2T ∂ 2T
+ =0 (2)
∂x 2 ∂y 2
Equation (2) needs 2 boundary conditions in each direction. There are three approaches to
solve this equation:
• Analytical Method: The mathematical equation can be solved using techniques like
the method of separation of variables.
• Graphical Method: Limited use. However, the conduction shape factor concept
derived under this concept can be useful for specific configurations. (see Table 4.1
for selected configurations)
• Numerical Method: Finite difference or finite volume schemes, usually will be
solved using computers.

Analytical solutions are possible only for a limited number of cases (such as linear problems
with simple geometry). Standard analytical techniques such as separation of variables can be
found in basic textbooks on engineering mathematics, and will not be reproduced here. The
student is encouraged to refer to textbooks on basic mathematics for an overview of the
analytical solutions to heat diffusion problems. In the present lecture material, we will cover
the graphical and numerical techniques, which are used quite conveniently by engineers for
solving multi-dimensional heat conduction problems.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

4.2 Graphical Method: Conduction Shape Factor

This approach applied to 2-D conduction involving two isothermal surfaces, with all other
surfaces being adiabatic. The heat transfer from one surface (at a temperature T1) to the
other surface (at T2) can be expressed as: q=Sk(T1-T2) where k is the thermal conductivity
of the solid and S is the conduction shape factor.

The shape factor can be related to the thermal resistance:

q=S.k.(T1-T2)=(T1-T2)/(1/kS)= (T1-T2)/Rt
where Rt = 1/(kS) is the thermal resistance in 2D. Note that 1-D heat transfer can also use
the concept of shape factor. For example, heat transfer inside a plane wall of thickness L is
q=kA(ΔT/L), where the shape factor S=A/L. Common shape factors for selected
configurations can be found in Table 4.1

Example: A 10 cm OD uninsulated pipe carries steam from the power plant across campus.
Find the heat loss if the pipe is buried 1 m in the ground is the ground surface temperature is
50 ºC. Assume a thermal conductivity of the sandy soil as k = 0.52 w/m K.

Solution:
T2

Z=1 m

T1

The shape factor for long cylinders is found in Table 4.1 as Case 2, with L >> D:

S = 2⋅π⋅L/ln(4⋅z/D)

Where z = depth at which pipe is buried.

S = 2⋅π⋅1⋅m/ln(40) = 1.7 m

Then
q' = (1.7⋅m)(0.52 W/m⋅K)(100 oC - 50 oC)

q' = 44.2 W

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Table 4.1
Conduction shape factors for selected two-dimensional systems [q = Sk(T1-T2)]
System Schematic Restrictions Shape Factor
T2
z 2πD
z>D/2 1 − D / 4z
Isothermal sphere buried in
as finite medium T1 D

T2
Horizontal isothermal L>>D 2πL
cylinder of length L buried z cosh −1 (2 z / D )
in a semi finite medium L>>D
2πL
L z>3D/2
T1 D ln(4 z / D)

T2

L L>>D 2πL
Vertical cylinder in a semi T1 ln(4 L / D)
finite medium
D

2πL
L>>D1,D2 ⎛ 4 w 2 − D12 − D 22
−1 ⎜
⎞
Conduction between two D1 cosh ⎟
D2 ⎜ 2 D1 D 2 ⎟
cylinders of length L in ⎝ ⎠
T1 L>>w
infinite medium T2

∞ T2
Horizontal circular cylinder ∞
of length L midway z 2πL
z>>D/2
between parallel planes of ln(8 z / πD)
L>>2
equal length and infinite T1 D
z
width ∞
∞
T2
T2
Circular cylinder of length
L centered in a square solid W>D 2πL
of equal length w L>>w ln(1.08w / D )

T1 D

2πL
Eccentric circular cylinder
d T1 T2 D>d ⎛ D 2 + d 2 − 4z 2 ⎞
of length L in a cylinder of D cosh −1 ⎜ ⎟
L>>D ⎜ 2 Dd ⎟
equal length ⎝ ⎠
z

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

4.3 Numerical Methods

Due to the increasing complexities encountered in the development of modern technology,
analytical solutions usually are not available. For these problems, numerical solutions
obtained using high-speed computer are very useful, especially when the geometry of the
object of interest is irregular, or the boundary conditions are nonlinear. In numerical
analysis, three different approaches are commonly used: the finite difference, the finite
volume and the finite element methods. Brief descriptions of the three methods are as
follows:
The Finite Difference Method (FDM)
This is the oldest method for numerical solution of PDEs, introduced by Euler in the
18th century. It's also the easiest method to use for simple geometries. The starting point is
the conservation equation in differential form. The solution domain is covered by grid. At
each grid point, the differential equation is approximated by replacing the partial derivatives
by approximations in terms of the nodal values of the functions. The result is one algebraic
equation per grid node, in which the variable value at that and a certain number of neighbor
nodes appear as unknowns.
In principle, the FD method can be applied to any grid type. However, in all
applications of the FD method known, it has been applied to structured grids. Taylor series
expansion or polynomial fitting is used to obtain approximations to the first and second
derivatives of the variables with respect to the coordinates. When necessary, these methods
are also used to obtain variable values at locations other than grid nodes (interpolation).
On structured grids, the FD method is very simple and effective. It is especially easy
to obtain higher-order schemes on regular grids. The disadvantage of FD methods is that the
conservation is not enforced unless special care is taken. Also, the restriction to simple
geometries is a significant disadvantage.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Finite Volume Method (FVM)

In this dissertation finite volume method is used. The FV method uses the integral
form of the conservation equations as its starting point. The solution domain is subdivided
into a finite number of contiguous control volumes (CVs), and the conservation equations
are applied to each CV. At the centroid of each CV lies a computational node at which the
variable values are to be calculated. Interpolation is used to express variable values at the
CV surface in terms of the nodal (CV-center) values. As a result, one obtains an algebraic
equation for each CV, in which a number of neighbor nodal values appear. The FVM
method can accommodate any type of grid when compared to FDM, which is applied to
only structured grids. The FVM approach is perhaps the simplest to understand and to
program. All terms that need be approximated have physical meaning, which is why it is
popular.
The disadvantage of FV methods compared to FD schemes is that methods of order
higher than second are more difficult to develop in 3D. This is due to the fact that the FV
approach requires two levels of approximation: interpolation and integration.

Finite Element Method (FEM)

The FE method is similar to the FV method in many ways. The domain is broken
into a set of discrete volumes or finite elements that are generally unstructured; in 2D, they
are usually triangles or quadrilaterals, while in 3D tetrahedra or hexahedra are most often
used. The distinguishing feature of FE methods is that the equations are multiplied by a
weight function before they are integrated over the entire domain. In the simplest FE
methods, the solution is approximated by a linear shape function within each element in a
way that guarantees continuity of the solution across element boundaries. Such a function
can be constructed from its values at the corners of the elements. The weight function is
usually of the same form.
This approximation is then substituted into the weighted integral of the conservation
law and the equations to be solved are derived by requiring the derivative of the integral
with respect to each nodal value to be zero; this corresponds to selecting the best solution
within the set of allowed functions (the one with minimum residual). The result is a set of
non-linear algebraic equations.
An important advantage of finite element methods is the ability to deal with arbitrary
geometries. Finite element methods are relatively easy to analyze mathematically and can be
shown to have optimality properties for certain types of equations. The principal drawback,
which is shared by any method that uses unstructured grids, is that the matrices of the
linearized equations are not as well structured as those for regular grids making it more
difficult to find efficient solution methods.

4.4 The Finite Difference Method Applied to Heat Transfer Problems:

In heat transfer problems, the finite difference method is used more often and will be
discussed here in more detail. The finite difference method involves:
¾ Establish nodal networks
¾ Derive finite difference approximations for the governing equation at both interior
and exterior nodal points
¾ Develop a system of simultaneous algebraic nodal equations
¾ Solve the system of equations using numerical schemes

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

The Nodal Networks:

The basic idea is to subdivide the area of interest into sub-volumes with the distance
between adjacent nodes by Δx and Δy as shown. If the distance between points is small
enough, the differential equation can be approximated locally by a set of finite difference
equations. Each node now represents a small region where the nodal temperature is a
measure of the average temperature of the region.
Example:

Δx m,n+1

m-1,n m+1, n
m,
Δy

m,n-1
x=mΔx, y=nΔy
m-½,n m+½,n
intermediate points

Finite Difference Approximation:

q 1 ∂T
Heat Diffusion Equation: ∇2T + = ,
k α ∂t
k
where α = is the thermal diffusivity
ρ C PV
∂
 and
No generation and steady state: q=0 = 0, ⇒ ∇2T = 0
∂t
First, approximated the first order differentiation
at intermediate points (m+1/2,n) & (m-1/2,n)
∂T ΔT Tm +1,n − Tm ,n
≈ =
∂x ( m +1/ 2,n ) Δx ( m +1/ 2,n ) Δx
∂T ΔT Tm ,n − Tm −1,n
≈ =
∂x ( m −1/ 2,n ) Δx ( m −1/ 2,n ) Δx

Next, approximate the second order differentiation at m,n

∂ 2T ∂T / ∂x m +1/ 2,n − ∂T / ∂x m −1/ 2,n
≈
∂x 2 m ,n
Δx
∂ 2T Tm +1,n + Tm −1,n − 2Tm ,n
≈
∂x 2 m ,n
( Δx ) 2
Similarly, the approximation can be applied to
the other dimension y
∂ 2T Tm ,n +1 + Tm ,n −1 − 2Tm ,n
≈
∂y 2 m ,n
( Δy ) 2

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

⎛ ∂ 2T ∂ 2T ⎞ Tm +1,n + Tm −1,n − 2Tm ,n Tm ,n +1 + Tm ,n −1 − 2Tm ,n

⎜ ∂x 2 + ∂y 2 ⎟ ≈ ( Δx ) 2
+
( Δy ) 2
⎝ ⎠ m ,n
To model the steady state, no generation heat equation: ∇2T = 0
This approximation can be simplified by specify Δx=Δy
and the nodal equation can be obtained as
Tm +1,n + Tm −1,n + Tm ,n +1 + Tm ,n −1 − 4Tm ,n = 0
This equation approximates the nodal temperature distribution based on
the heat equation. This approximation is improved when the distance
between the adjacent nodal points is decreased:
ΔT ∂T ΔT ∂T
Since lim( Δx → 0) = ,lim( Δy → 0) =
Δx ∂x Δy ∂y

Table 4.2 provides a list of nodal finite difference equation for various configurations.

A System of Algebraic Equations

• The nodal equations derived previously are valid for all interior points satisfying the
steady state, no generation heat equation. For each node, there is one such equation.
For example: for nodal point m=3, n=4, the equation is
T2,4 + T4,4 + T3,3 + T3,5 - 4T3,4 =0
T3,4=(1/4)(T2,4 + T4,4 + T3,3 + T3,5)
• Nodal relation table for exterior nodes (boundary conditions) can be found in
standard heat transfer textbooks.
• Derive one equation for each nodal point (including both interior and exterior
points) in the system of interest. The result is a system of N algebraic equations for a
total of N nodal points.
Matrix Form
The system of equations:
a11T1 + a12T2 + " + a1N TN = C1
a21T1 + a22T2 + " + a2 N TN = C2
# # # # #
a N 1T1 + a N 2T2 + " + a NN TN = CN

A total of N algebraic equations for the N nodal points and the system can be expressed as a
matrix formulation: [A][T]=[C] .
⎡ a11 a12 " a1N ⎤ ⎡ T1 ⎤ ⎡ C1 ⎤
⎢a a22 " a2 N ⎥ ⎢ T2 ⎥ ⎢ C2 ⎥
where A= ⎢ 21 ⎥ ,T = ⎢ ⎥ ,C = ⎢ ⎥
⎢ # # # # ⎥ ⎢# ⎥ ⎢ # ⎥
⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ ⎢ ⎥
⎣ a N 1 a N 2 " a NN ⎦ ⎣TN ⎦ ⎣C N ⎦

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Numerical Solutions
Matrix form: [A][T]=[C].
From linear algebra: [A]-1[A][T]=[A]-1[C], [T]=[A]-1[C]
where [A]-1 is the inverse of matrix [A]. [T] is the solution vector.
• Matrix inversion requires cumbersome numerical computations and is not efficient
if the order of the matrix is high (>10)
• Gauss elimination method and other matrix solvers are usually available in many
numerical solution package. For example, “Numerical Recipes” by Cambridge
University Press or their web source at www.nr.com.
• For high order matrix, iterative methods are usually more efficient. The famous
Jacobi & Gauss-Seidel iteration methods will be introduced in the following.

Iteration
General algebraic equation for nodal point:
i −1 N

∑ aijT j + aiiTi +
j =1
∑aT
j =i +1
ij j = Ci , Replace (k) by (k-1)
for the Jacobi iteration
(Example : a31T1 + a32T2 + a33T3 + " + a1N TN = C1 , i = 3)
Rewrite the equation of the form:
Ci i −1 aij ( k ) N
a
Ti ( k ) = − ∑ T j − ∑ ij T j( k −1)
aii j =1 aii j =i +1 aii
• (k) - specify the level of the iteration, (k-1) means the present level and (k)
represents the new level.
• An initial guess (k=0) is needed to start the iteration.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

• • By substituting iterated values at (k-1) into the equation, the new values at iteration
(k) can be estimated The iteration will be stopped when max⎜Ti(k)-Ti(k-1) ⎟ε≤ , where ε
specifies a predetermined value of acceptable error

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Module 4: Worked out problems

Problem 1:

A two dimensional rectangular plate is subjected to the uniform temperature boundary

conditions shown. Using the results of the analytical solution for the heat equation,
calculate the temperature at the midpoint (1, 0.5) by considering the first five nonzero
terms of the infinite series that must be evaluated. Assess the error from using only the
first three terms of the infinite series.

Known: Two-dimensional rectangular plate to prescribed uniform temperature boundary

conditions.

Find: temperature at the midpoint using the exact solution considering the first five
nonzero terms: Assess the error from using only the first three terms.

Schematic:

Assumptions: (1) Two-dimensional, steady-state conduction, (2) constant properties.

Analysis: From analytical solution, the temperature distribution is

∞
T − T1 2 (−1) n +1 + 1 nπ x sinh(nπ y / L)
θ ( x, y ) = =
T2 − T1 π ∑
n =1
n
sin .
L sinh(nπ W / L)

Considering now the point (x, y) = (1.0, 0.5) and recognizing x/L =1/2, y/L=1/4 and
W/L=1/2, the distribution has the form

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Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

∞
T − T1 2 (−1) n +1 + 1 nπ sinh(nπ / L)
θ (1,0.5) = =
T2 − T1 π ∑
n =1
n
sin .
L sinh(nπ / L)

When n is even (2,4,6…..), the corresponding term is zero; hence we need only
consider n=1,3,5,7 and 9 as the first five non-zero terms.

⎧ π 3π 5π ⎫
sinh sinh sinh
⎪ ⎛π ⎞ 4 + 2 sin⎛ 3π ⎞ 4 + 2 sin⎛⎜ 5π ⎞⎟ 4 +⎪
⎪2 sin⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎪
⎪ ⎝ 2 ⎠ sinh π 3 ⎝ 2 ⎠ sinh 3π 5 ⎝ 2 ⎠ sinh 5π ⎪
2⎪ 2 2 2 ⎪
θ (1,0.5) = ⎨ ⎬
π⎪ 7π 9π ⎪
sinh sinh
⎪ 2 ⎛ 7π ⎞
sin⎜ ⎟ 4 + 2 sin⎛⎜ 9π ⎞⎟ 4 ⎪
⎪ 7 ⎝ 2 ⎠ sinh 7π 9 ⎝ 2 ⎠ sinh 9π ⎪
⎪ ⎪
⎩ 2 2 ⎭
2
θ (1,0.5) = [0.755 + 0.063 + 0.008 − 0.001 + 0.000] = 0.445
π

Since θ = (T-T1)/ (T2-T1), it follows that

T (1, 0.5) = θ(1, 0.5) (T2-T1) +T1=0.445(150-50) +50=94.5°C

If only the first term of the series, Eq (2) is considered, the result will be θ(1, 0.5)
=0.446 that is, there is less than a 0.2% effect.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Problem 2:
A long power transmission cable is buried at a depth (ground to cable centerline
distance) of 2m. The cable is encased in a thin walled pipe of 0.1 m diameter, and to
render the cable superconducting (essentially zero power dissipation), the space between
the cable and pipe is filled with liquid nitrogen at 77 K. If the pipe is covered a super
insulator(ki=0.005W/m.K) of 0.05-m thickness and the surface of the earth
(kg=1.2W/m.K) is at 300K, what is the cooling load in W/m which must be maintained
by a cryogenic refrigerator per unit pipe length.

Known: Operating conditions of a buried superconducting cable.

Find: required cooling load.

Schematic:

Assumptions: (1) steady-state conditions, (2) constant properties, (3) two-dimensional

conduction in soil, (4) one-dimensional conduction in insulation.

Analysis: The heat rate per unit length is

T g − Tn
q' =
R g' + R I'
T g − Tn
q' =
[k g (2π / ln(4 z / Do ))] −1 + ln( Do / Di ) / 2π k i

where table 4.1 have been used to evaluate the ground resistance. Hence,

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

(300 − 77) K
q' =
[(1.2W / m.K ) (2π / ln(8 / 0.2))] −1 + ln(2) / 2π × 0.005 W / m.K
223K
q' =
(0.489 + 22.064)m.K / W

q ' = 9.9W / m

Comments: the heat gain is small and the dominant contribution to the thermal
resistance is made by the insulation.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Problem 3:
Two parallel pipelines spaced 0.5 m apart are buried in soil having a thermal
conductivity of 0.5W/m.K. the pipes have outer-diameters of 100 and 75 mm with
surface temperatures of 175°C and 5°C, respectively. Estimate the heat transfer rate per
unit length between the two pipe lines.

Known: Surfaces temperatures of two parallel pipe lines buried in soil.

Find: heat transfer per unit length between the pipe lines.

Schematic:

Assumptions: (1) steady state conditions, (2) two-dimensional conduction, (3) constant
properties, (4) pipe lines are buried very deeply approximating burial in an infinite
medium, (5) pipe length>> D1 or D2 and w>D1 or D2

Analysis: the heat transfer rate per length from the hot pipe to the cool pipe is

q S
q' = = k (T1 − T2 )
L L

The shape factor S for this configuration is given in table 4.1 as

2πL
S=
⎛ 4 w 2 − D12 − D 22 ⎞
cosh −1 ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 2 D1 D 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

Substituting numerical values

S 4 × (0.5m) 2 − (0.1m) 2 − (0.075m) 2
= 2π / cosh −1 = 2π / cosh −1 (65.63)
L 2 × 0.1m × 0.075m
S
= 2π / 4.88 = 1.29.
l
hence, the heat rate per unit length is

q ' = 1.29 × 0.5W / m.K (175 − 5)°C = 110W / m

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Comments: The heat gain to the cooler pipe line will be larger than 110W/m if the soil
temperature is greater than 5°C. How would you estimate the heat gain if the soil were at
25°C?

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Problem 4:
A furnace of cubical shape, with external dimensions of 0.35m, is constructed from a
refractory brick (fireclay). If the wall thickness is 50mm, the inner surface temperature is
600°C, and the outer surface temperature is 75°C, calculate the heat loss from the
furnace.

Known: Cubical furnace, 350mm external dimensions, with 50mm thick walls.

Find: The heat loss, q(W).

Schematic:

Assumptions: (1) steady-state conditions, (2) two-dimensional conduction, (3) constant

properties.

−
Properties: From table of properties, fireclay brick ( T = (T1 + T2 ) / 2 = 610 K ) : k ≈ 1.1W / m.K

Analysis: using relations for the shape factor from table 4.1,

A 0.25 × 0.25m 2
Plane walls (6) SW = = = 1.25m
L 0.05m

Edges (12) S E = 0.54 D = 0.52 × 0.25m = 0.14m

Corners (8) S C = 0.15 L = 0.15 × 0.05m = 0.008m

The heat rate in terms of the shape factor is

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Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

q = kS (T1 − T2 ) = k (6 S W + 12 S E + 8S C )(T1 − T2 )

W
q = 1.1 (6 × 1.25m + 12 × 0.14m + 0.15 × 0.008m)(600 − 75)°C
m.K

q = 5.30kW

Comments: Be sure to note that the restriction for SE and SC has been met.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Problem 5:
Consider nodal configuration 4 of table 4.2. Derive the finite-difference equation under
steady-state conditions for the following situations.

(a) The upper boundary of the external corner is perfectly insulated and the side
boundary is subjected to the convection process (T∞, h)
(b) Both boundaries of external corner are perfectly insulated.

Known: External corner of a two-dimensional system whose boundaries are subjected to

prescribed conditions.

Find: finite-difference equations for these situations: (a) upper boundary is perfectly
insulated and side boundary is subjected to a convection process, (b) both boundaries are
perfectly insulated.

Schematic:

Assumptions: (1) steady-state conditions, (2) two-dimensional conduction, (3)

constant properties, (4) no internal generation.

Analysis: Consider the nodal point configuration shown in schematic and also as case
4, table 4.2. the control volume about the nodes shaded area above of unit thickness
normal to the page has dimensions, (Δx/2)( Δy/2).1. The heat transfer processes at the
surface of the CV are identified as q1, q2….perform an energy balance wherein the
processes are expressed using the appropriate rate equations.

With the upper boundary insulated and the side boundary and the side boundary
subjected to a convection process, the energy balance has the form

.
E in − E out = 0 q1 + q 2 + q 3 + q 4 = 0
⎛ Δy ⎞ Tm −1,n − Tm,n ⎛ Δx ⎞ Tm,n −1 − Tm,n ⎛ Δy ⎞
k⎜ . 1⎟ + k⎜ .1⎟ + h⎜ .1⎟ (T∞ − Tm,n ) + 0 = 0
⎝ 2 ⎠ Δx ⎝ 2 ⎠ Δy ⎝ 2 ⎠

Letting Δx=Δy, and regrouping, find

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

hΔx ⎛ 1 hΔx ⎞
Tm,n −1 + Tm −1, n + T∞ − 2⎜ + 1⎟Tm,n = 0
k ⎝2 k ⎠

with both boundaries insulated, the energy balance of Eq(2) would have q3=q4=0. the
same result would be obtained by letting h=0 in the finite difference equation, Eq(3).
The result is

Tm,n −1 + Tm −1,n − 2Tm, n = 0

Comments: Note the convenience resulting formulating the energy balance by assuming
that all the heat flow is into the node.

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Heat and Mass Transfer Prof. Pradip Dutta

Module 4: Short questions

1. For what kind of problems in multidimensional heat transfer are analytical solutions
possible? Name some common analytical methods in steady state multidimensional
heat transfer?

2. What are the limitations of analytical methods? In spite of their limitations, why are
analytical solutions useful?

3. What is meant by “shape factor” in two-dimensional heat transfer analysis? What is

the advantage of using such a method? Is there a shape factor in 1D heat transfer?

4. How do numerical solution methods differ from analytical methods? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of numerical and analytical methods?

5. What is the basis of energy balance method in numerical analysis? How does it differ
from the formal finite difference method using Taylor series approximation? For a
specified nodal network, will these two methods result in the same or a different set
of equations?

6. Consider a medium in which the finite difference formulation of a general interior

node is given in its simplest form as
Tm −1 − 2Tm + Tm +1 g m
+ =0
Δx 2 k
(a) Is heat transfer in this medium steady or transient?
(b) Is heat transfer one-, two-, or three-dimensional?
(c) Is there heat generation in the medium?
(d) Is the nodal spacing constant or variable?
(e) Is thermal conductivity of the medium constant or variable?

7. Consider a medium in which the finite difference formulation of a general interior

node is given in its simplest form as
g m l 2
Tleft + Ttop + Tright + Tbottom − 4Tnode + =0
k
(a) Is heat transfer in this medium steady or transient?
(b) Is heat transfer one-, two-, or three-dimensional?
(c) Is there heat generation in the medium?
(d) Is the nodal spacing constant or variable?
(e) Is thermal conductivity of the medium constant or variable?

8. What is an irregular boundary? What is a practical way of handling irregular

boundary surfaces with the finite difference method?

9. When performing numerical calculations of heat diffusion on a structured Cartesian

grid in two dimensions, a simplified form of the equations states that the temperature
at a node is simply the average of its four adjacent neighbours. What assumption is
NOT required to allow this simplified form
a) must have no heat generation
b) must not be at a domain boundary
c) must have uniform cell dimensions in both directions
d) must be a solid medium

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore