HEAT TRANSFER ASSIGNMENT -II

ASHOK KUMAR T
2022303038
B.TECH CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
1. Explain the basic law of conduction
Fourier’s law of heat conduction
“Rate of heat flow by conduction is directly proportional to the heat
transfer area and temperature gradient”
Q α -A (dT/dx)

Q = -kA (dT/dx)

2.Write Fourier’s law of conduction and explain each parameter

Fourier’s law of heat conduction

Q = -kA (dT/dx)

Where,
Q= Rate of heat flow (J/s = W)
k = Thermal conductivity W/mK (property of the material)
dT/dx = Temperature gradient (K/m)
A = Heat transfer area (m2)

3. How does conduction occur

Conduction occurs due to “exchange of energy from one molecule to
another molecule due to motion of free electrons”.
The law of conduction is Fourier’s Law.
Conduction heat transfer play a major role in heat loss from furnaces,
pipelines, process vessels and other equipment.

4.What is critical radius of insulation

The thickness upto which heat flow increases and after which heat flow
decreases is termed as critical thickness.
rcr = k/h
In the case of cylinders and spheres it is called critical radius.

5. Differentiate steady state and unsteady state conduction

Steady state heat conduction Unsteady state heat conduction
In steady-state heat conduction, the Unsteady-state heat conduction
temperature distribution within a occurs when the temperature
material remains constant with time. distribution within a material
changes with time.
Heat flows continuously through the Heat transfer is not in
material, but the temperature at any equilibrium, and temperatures at
point does not change over time. different points within the
material change over time.
The rate of heat transfer into the The temperature profile evolves
material equals the rate of heat until the system reaches a steady-
transfer out of the material, resulting state or until the temperature
in a stable temperature profile. distribution stabilizes.

Examples include a metal rod with a Examples include heating a metal

constant temperature difference plate suddenly on one side,
applied at its ends or a building wall cooling a fluid in a container, or
subjected to steady external switching on an electric heater
temperature conditions. inside a room.

6. Write the expression for heat transfer rate through flat surface.

Where,
x1, x2 and x3 - thickness of the composite materials
k1, k2 and k3 - thermal conductivity of materials
ha and hb - heat transfer coefficients on the two faces or sides
Ta and Tb - temperatures of the fluids on the two sides (Ta > Tb)

7.Write an expression for heat transfer rate through cylindrical system.

Where,
r1 and r2 is the inner and outer radius of the cylinder
k1 and k2 is the thermal conductivity of the layers of cylinder
L is the length of the cylinder
ha and hb is the heat transfer coefficient of inside and outside of the cylinder

8.Write the purpose of using composite plane wall in industries.

Thermal Insulation: Composite plane walls effectively reduce heat
transfer, helping to maintain desired temperatures within industrial spaces.

Heat Conduction Control: They provide a barrier to minimize heat

conduction, preventing loss or gain of heat through the walls.

Temperature Regulation: By controlling heat transfer, composite plane

walls help regulate internal temperatures, optimizing industrial processes
and worker comfort.

Energy Efficiency: Their ability to limit heat transfer enhances energy

efficiency, reducing the need for heating or cooling systems and lowering
operational costs.

9.Express the resistance of heat transfer rate through a series of walls -

composite wall.
The resistance of heat transfer rate through a
composite wall (series) is equal to the sum of resistance offered by each
layer of composite wall.

10.What is thermal conductivity?

 It is the quantity of heat passing through the material at unit
thickness with unit heat flow area in unit time.
 The unit of the thermal conductivity is W/mK (or) J/smK.

11.What is heat transfer?

 Transfer of heat from higher temperature side to the lower
temperature side in a medium.
 This occurs due to the temperature difference between both the sides
(driving force).

12.Write the modes of heat transfer

 Conduction
 Convection
 Radiation

13.Write the importance of heat transfer in chemical engineering

operations.

1.Reaction Rates: Efficient heat transfer influences reaction rates, crucial

for achieving desired product yields and quality.

2.Energy Management: Proper heat transfer enables efficient energy

utilization, minimizing operational costs in chemical processes.

3.Temperature Control: Precise heat transfer control maintains optimal

temperatures for chemical reactions, ensuring product consistency and
purity.
4.Safety: Effective heat transfer management prevents thermal runaway
reactions and ensures safe operation of chemical processes, mitigating
risks to personnel and equipment.

14.What is mean temperature difference?

 The mean temperature difference (ΔTm) is the average temperature

variation between two points in a heat transfer system.

 Mathematically, it is typically calculated as the difference between

the inlet and outlet temperatures divided by the natural logarithm of
the temperature ratio between the inlet and outlet temperatures.

15.What is convection?
 Convection occurs due to “the transport of heat energy by way of
displacement of fluid elements from one point to another point at a
different temperature”.
 The law of convection is Newton’s law of cooling.

16.Write the types of convection

 Natural Convection
 Forced Convection

17.A certain insulation has a k = 10 W/mK. What length is required to

effect a temperature drop of 500K for the heat flow of 400 W/m2.

Given: To find:
Thermal conductivity, k = 10 W/mK Length of the insulation, x
Heat flow, Q/A = 400 W/m2
Temperature difference, ΔT = 500K

ΔT
Q=
x
kA
 ΔT
x=
Q
kA

500
x=
400
10

x = 12.5 m

18. When will forced convection occur and how?

 Forced convection occurs in the medium by an external mechanical
agency such as pump, blower and agitator, etc.,
 For Example: Fan is used to reduce heat in the room.

19.Define basic law of convection.

Newton’s law of cooling (Convection):
“Heat transfer rate is directly proportional to area of heat transfer and
temperature difference”
Q/A α (Tw-T∞)
Q = hA(Tw-T∞)

Q = hAΔT

Where,
Q -Heat flux in W/ m2
h-Convective Heat transfer co-efficient in W/m2K
A-Area in m2
ΔT-Temperature difference in K

20.What is temperature gradient?

Temperature difference per unit length is known as Temperature gradient.

21. What is convective resistance?

It is defined as the “Hindrance to heat transfer between a surface and fluid
due to boundary layer effects”.
It is given by the reciprocal of the convective heat transfer coefficient
(1/h).

22.Explain one dimensional heat conduction.

 One-dimensional heat conduction describes the transfer of heat
through a medium, such as a solid object, where temperature
changes occur solely along one axis (typically the thickness of the
material).
 This simplification assumes that temperature variations in other
directions (such as width and length) are negligible compared to the
dominant direction of heat flow.

23.What is the significance of Nusselt number?

1. Indicator of Convective Heat Transfer Efficiency: It provides a
dimensionless representation of the ratio between convective and
conductive heat transfer within a fluid boundary layer, indicating
how effectively heat is transferred from a solid surface to the fluid.
2. Design Parameter: Engineers use the Nusselt number to design and
optimize heat exchangers and other thermal systems, as it influences
the heat transfer rate and overall system performance.
3. Correlation Development: Nusselt number correlations are derived
for various flow regimes and geometries, aiding in the prediction and
analysis of convective heat transfer in different applications.
4. Validation Tool: Experimental determination of Nusselt numbers
helps validate theoretical models and computational simulations of
convective heat transfer, ensuring accuracy and reliability in
engineering designs.
24.What is the significance of Prandtl number?
1. Characterizes Fluid Properties: It quantifies the ratio of
momentum diffusivity to thermal diffusivity in a fluid, providing
insight into its behavior in heat transfer applications.
2. Determines Boundary Layer Thickness: Prandtl number
influences the thickness of the thermal boundary layer, affecting heat
transfer rates in convective flows over surfaces.
3. Engineering Design: Engineers use the Prandtl number to select
appropriate working fluids and design efficient heat exchangers and
other thermal systems.
4. Correlation Development: Prandtl number correlations are
developed for different fluids and flow conditions, aiding in the
prediction and analysis of convective heat transfer in various
engineering applications.

25.What is overall heat transfer co-efficient?

 The overall heat transfer coefficient (U) is a measure of how well a
material or structure transfers heat from one side to the other,
considering all modes of heat transfer combined.
It is the reciprocal of total resistance offered by the material or structure.

1
U=
∑R