ME 346 – Heat Transfer: Tutorial 1

Q1: The temperature distribution across a wall of 1 m thick at a certain instant of time is given
as T(x) = a+bx+cx2 where T is in degrees Celsuis and x is in meters, while a = 800 oC, b = -350
o
C/m, and c = -60 oC/m2 . A uniform heat generation, = 1000 W/m3 , is present in the wall of area
10 m2 having the properties 𝝆 = 1600 kg/m3 , k = 40 W/m.K, and Cp = 4 kJ/kg.K.
• Determine the rate of heat transfer entering the wall ( x = 0) and leaving the wall ( x = 1m)
• Determine the rate of change of energy storage in the wall
• Determine the time rate of temperature change at x = 0.25 and 0.5 m
(Conservation of Energy)

Known: Temperature distribution T(x) at an instant of time t in a one dimensional wall with
uniform heat generation.
Find:
• Heat rates entering, qin( x = 0), and leaving, qout( x = 1), the wall
• Rate of change of energy storage in the wall,
• Time rate of temperature change at x = 0.25 and 0.5 m.
Assumptions:
• One dimensional conduction in the x -direction.
• Homogenous medium with constant properties.
• Uniform heat generation.
Analysis: Recall that once the temperature distribution is known for a medium, it is a simple
matter to determine the conduction heat transfer rate at any point in the medium, or at its
surfaces, by Fourier's law.
Hence the desired heat rates may be determined by using the prescribed temperature
distribution with Equation. Accordingly,
The rate of change of energy storage 𝑬ሶ 𝒔𝒕 in the wall may be determined by applying an overall
energy balance to the wall. Using Equation for a control volume about the wall

The time rate of change of change of the temperature at any point in the medium may be
determined from the heat equation rewritten as

From the prescribed temperature distribution, it follows that

Note that this derivative is independent of position in the medium. Hence the time rate of
temperature change is also independent of position and is given by

• Heat rates entering, qin( x = 0), and leaving, qout( x = 1), the wall
• Rate of change of energy storage in the wall,
• Time rate of temperature change at x = 0.25 and 0.5 m

Comments:
• From the above result it is evident that the temperature at every point within the wall is
decreasing with time.
• Fourier's law can always be used to compute the conduction heat rate from knowledge of the
temperature distribution, even for unsteady conditions with internal heat generation
Q2: A leading manufacturer of household appliances is proposing a self-cleaning oven design
that involves use of a composite window separating the oven cavity from the room air. The
composite is to consist of two high temperature plastics (A and B) of thicknesses 𝑳𝑨 = 𝟐𝑳𝑩 and
thermal conductivities 𝒌𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓 𝑾 𝒎.𝑲 and 𝒌𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖 𝑾 𝒎.𝑲 . During the self-cleaning process,
the oven wall and air temperatures,𝑻𝒘 = 𝑻𝒂 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎 ℃, while the room air temperature is 25 ℃.
The inside convection and radiation heat transfer coefficients hi and hr , as well as the outside
convection coefficient ho , are each approximately 25 W/m2 .K. What is the minimum window
thickness, L = LA + LB , needed to ensure a temperature that is 50 ℃ or less at the outer surface
of the window? This temperature must not be exceeded for safety reasons

Known: The properties and relative dimensions of plastic materials used for a composite oven
window, and conditions associated with self-cleaning operation
Find : Composite thickness LA + LB needed to ensure safe operation
Assumptions:
• Steady state conditions exist
• Conduction through the window is one dimensional
• Contact resistance is negligible
• Radiation absorption within the window is negligible; hence no internal heat generation
• Radiation exchange between window outer surface and surroundings is negligible
• Each plastic is homogeneous with constant properties
Analysis: The thermal circuit can be constructed by recognizing that resistance to heat flow is
associated with convection at the outer surface, conduction in the plastics, and convection and
radiation at the inner surface. Accordingly, the circuit and the resistances are of the following
form. Since the outer surface temperature of the window, 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 is prescribed, the required
window thickness may be obtained by applying an energy balance at this surface.
The total thermal resistance between the oven cavity and the outer surface of the window
includes an effective resistance associated with convection and radiation, which act in parallel at
the inner surface of the window, and the conduction resistances of the window materials.
Hence,

Comments:
1. The self cleaning operation is a transient process, as far as the thermal response of the
window is concerned, and steady state conditions may not be reached in the time required for
cleaning. However, the steady state condition provides the maximum possible value of 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 and
hence is well suited for the design calculation.
2. Radiation exchange between the oven walls and the composite window actually depends on
the inner surface temperature 𝑻𝒔,𝒊 , and although it has been neglected, there is radiation
exchange between the window and the surroundings, which depends on 𝑻𝒔,𝒐.

A more complete analysis may be made to concurrently determine 𝑻𝒔,𝒊 and 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 . Approximating
the oven cavity as a large enclosure relative to the window and applying an energy balance, at
the inner surface it follows that
Approximating the kitchen walls as a large isothermal enclosure relative to the window, with
𝑻𝒘,𝒐 = 𝑻∞ and this time applying energy balance at the outer surface, it follows that

We wish to explore the effect on 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 of varying velocity, and hence the convection coefficient,
associated with airflow over the outer surface. With ɛ = 0.9 and all other conditions remaining
the same, the above equations have been solved for values of 𝒉𝒐 in the range 0 - 100 W/m2 K
and the results are represented graphically.

Increasing 𝒉𝒐 reduces the corresponding convection resistance, and a value of 𝒉𝒐 = 𝟑𝟎 𝑾 𝒎𝟐𝑲

would yield a safe to touch temperature of 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 = 𝟒𝟑℃. Further increase in the outer surface
heat transfer coefficient would not decrease the temperature. However, beyond 𝒉𝒐 = 𝟕𝟎 𝑾 𝒎𝟐𝑲 ,
the temperature of 𝑻𝒔,𝒐 = 𝟑𝟎℃ would remain almost constant
Q3: Derive Heat Diffusion equation in cylindrical coordinates:
Q4: Derive Heat Diffusion equation in spherical coordinates:
Q5: A steel tube (k = 46 W/m-K) has an inside diameter of 3 cm and a wall thickness of 2mm. A
fluid flows inside the tube producing a convection heat transfer coefficient of 1500 W/m2-K on
the inside surface while on the outside surface a second fluid flows producing a heat transfer
coefficient of 200 W/m2-K on the outer surface of the tube. The inside fluid is at 223 ℃ while the
outside fluid is at 57 ℃. Calculate the overall heat transfer coefficient based on the tube inside
area and also based on the tube outside area. Also, calculate the heat loss per unit length of the
tube. (1D, Steady state conduction with no internal generation in cylinder)
Q6: A spherical thin walled metallic container is used to
store liquid nitrogen at 80 K. The container has a diameter
of 0.5 m and is covered with an evacuated, reflective
insulation composed of silica powder. The insulation is 25
mm thick, and its outer surface is exposed to ambient air at
310 K. The convection coefficient is known to be 20 W/m2
K. The latent heat of vaporization and the density of the
liquid nitrogen are 2x105 J/kg and 804 kg/m3 , respectively.
Thermal conductivity of evacuated silica powder (300 K) is
0.0017 W/mK. What is the rate of heat transfer to the liquid nitrogen? What is the rate of liquid
boil-off? (1D, Steady state conduction with no internal generation in sphere)

Known: Liquid nitrogen is stored in spherical container that is insulated and exposed to ambient
air.
Find:
• The rate of heat transfer to the nitrogen.
• The mass rate of nitrogen boil-off.
Assumptions:
1. Steady state conditions and one dimensional transfer in the radial direction
2. Negligible resistance to heat transfer through the container wall and from the container to the
nitrogen
3. Constant properties
4. Negligible radiation exchange between outer surface of insulation and surroundings
Analysis:
1. The thermal circuit involves a conduction and convection resistance in series and is of the
form
Q7: A 3 mm diameter and 6 m long electric wire is tightly wrapped with a 2 mm thick plastic
cover whose thermal conductivity is k = 0.15 W/m.oC. Electrical measurements indicate that a
current of 10 A passes through the wire and there is a voltage drop of 8 V along the wire. If the
insulated wire is exposed to a medium at 27 oC with a heat transfer coefficient of
h=12 W/m2oC, determine the temperature at the interface of the wire and the plastic cover in
steady operation. Also determine whether doubling the thickness of the plastic cover will
increase or decrease this interface temperature. (Critical Radius of Insulation)

Known : Size of the electric wire, thermal conductivity of the wire, current and voltage supplied
to the wire, ambient conditions and heat transfer coefficient.
Find : Convection heat transfer coefficient between the outer surface of the wire and the air in
the room.
1. Heat transfer is steady since there is no indication of any change with time.
2. Heat transfer is one dimensional since there is thermal symmetry about the center line and no
variation in the axial direction.
3. Thermal conductivities are constant.
4. The thermal contact resistance at the interface is negligible.
5. Heat transfer coefficient incorporates the radiation effects, if any.

Analysis: Heat is generated in the wire and its temperature rises as a result of resistance
heating. We assume heating is generated uniformly throughout the wire and is transferred to the
surrounding medium in the radial direction. In steady operation, the rate of heat transfer
becomes equal to the heat generated within the wire, which is determined from

The thermal resistance network for this problem involves a conduction resistance for the plastic
cover and a convection resistance for the outer surface in series, as shown in Fig. The values of
these two resistances are determined to be

Note that we did not involve the electrical wire directly in the thermal resistance network, since
the wire involves heat generation. To answer the second part of the question, we need to know
the critical radius of insulation of the plastic cover.
which is larger than the radius of the plastic cover. Therefore, increasing the thickness of the
plastic cover will enhance heat transfer until the outer radius of the cover reaches 12.5 mm. As
a result, the rate of heat transfer will increase when the interface temperature T1 is held
constant, or T1 will decrease when is held constant, which is the case here.

Q8: A plane wall is a composite of two materials, A and B. The wall of material A has uniform
heat generation 𝒒ሶ = 𝟏.𝟓×𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑾/𝒎𝟑 𝒌𝑨 = 𝟕𝟓 𝑾 𝒎.𝑲 and thickness 𝑳𝑨 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒎𝒎. The wall material B
has no generation with 𝒌𝑩 = 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝑾 𝒎.𝑲 and thickness 𝑳𝑩 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒎𝒎. The inner surface of material
A is well insulated, while the outer surface of
material B is cooled by water stream 𝑻∞ = 𝟑𝟎 ℃
and 𝒉 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑾/𝒎𝟐 . 𝑲. Sketch the temperature
distribution that exists in the composite under
steady state conditions. Determine the
temperature To of the insulated surface and the
temperature T2 of the cooled surface. (Rectangle
Composite Stack with 1D Heat Generation)

Known : Plane wall of material A with internal heat

generation is insulated on one side and bounded by a second wall of material B, which is
without heat generation and is subjected to convection cooling
Find : Convection heat transfer coefficient between the outer surface of the wire and the air in
the room.
Assumptions:
1. Heat transfer is steady since there is no indication of any change with time.
2. Heat transfer is one dimensional since there is thermal symmetry about the center line and no
variation in the axial direction.
3. Thermal conductivities are constant.
4. The thermal contact resistance at the interface is negligible.
5. Heat transfer coefficient incorporates the radiation effects, if any
From the prescribed physical conditions, the
temperature distribution in the composite is known
to have the following features, as shown:
• Parabolic in material A
• Zero slope at insulated boundary
• Linear in material A
• The temperature distribution in the water is
characterized by large gradients near the surface
• Slope change = kA / kB = 2 at interface

The outer surface temperature 𝑻𝟐 may be obtained by performing an energy balance on the
control volume about material B. Since there is no generation in this material, it follows that, for
steady state conditions and a unit surface area, the heat flux into the material at 𝒙 = 𝑳𝑨 must
equal the heat flux from the material due to convection at 𝒙 = 𝑳𝑨 + 𝑳𝑩

The heat flux may be determined by performing a second energy balance on a control volume
about material A. In particular, since the surface at 𝒙 = 𝟎 is adiabatic, there is no inflow and the
rate at which the energy is generated must equal the outflow. Accordingly, for a unit surface
area,
Comments:
1. Material A, having heat generation, cannot be represented by a thermal circuit element
2. Since the resistance to heat transfer by convection is significantly larger than due to
conduction in material B, 𝑹 Τ 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅,𝑩 ′′ 𝑹𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗,𝑩 ′′ = 𝟕. 𝟓 , the surface-to-fluid temperature
difference is much larger than the temperature drop across material B, This result is consistent
with the temperature distribution plotted in part (1).

Q9: