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Calculation of the individual heat transfer coefficient

Dimensionless numbers and equations


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Calculation of the individual heat transfer coefficients involves the following dimensionless numbers:
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The Nusselt number, Nu

where

= individual heat transfer coefficient [W/m2K]


d = characteristic length [m] (e.g. tube diameter)
= thermal conductivity [W/mK]
cp = specific heat [J/kgK]
= dynamic viscosity [Pas]
v = velocity [m/s]
= density [kg/m3]

The Prandtl number, Pr

The Reynolds number, Re

.
For natural convection one dimensionless number is added:
where
The Grashof number, Gr

= gravitational acceleration [m/s2]

= volumetric expansion coefficient [K-1]


T = temperature difference [K]

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At natural convection the following generalized equation applies:

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At forced convection the following generalized equation applies:

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With dimensionless numbers and equations any consistent system of units can be applied.

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The physical meaning of the different dimensionless numbers are as follows:
Nu = (characteristic length)/(theoretical film thickness)
Pr = (momentum diffusivity)/(thermal diffusivity)
Re = (momentum by eddy diffusion)/(momentum by molecular transport)
Gr = (inertia forces)/(viscous shear forces)(buoyancy forces)/ (viscous shear forces)

Calculation of the individual heat transfer coefficient


Forced convection, laminar flow
.
The following equation is valid for laminar flow conditions (Sieder & Tate):

where

.
.

The equation is valid for:

= individual heat transfer coefficient [W/m2K]


dh = hydraulic diameter [m] = 4A/s
A = cross-sectional area [m2]
s = wetted perimeter [m]
= thermal conductivity [W/mK]
b = dynamic bulk viscosity [Pas]
w = dynamic wall viscosity [Pas]
L = tube length [m]
Re = Reynolds number [ - ]
Pr = Prandtl number [ - ]

A large number of other equations are available in literature, for different fluids, flow conditions and geometries.

Calculation of the individual heat transfer coefficient


Forced convection, turbulent flow
.
The following equation is valid for turbulent flow conditions (Hausen):
where

.
.

= individual heat transfer coefficient [W/m2K]


dh = hydraulic diameter [m] = 4A/s
A = cross-sectional area [m2]
s = wetted perimeter [m]
= thermal conductivity [W/mK]
b = dynamic bulk viscosity [Pas]
w = dynamic wall viscosity [Pas]
L = tube length [m]
Re = Reynolds number [ - ]
Pr = Prandtl number [ - ]

The equation is valid for:

.
The following equation is also valid (Dittus - Boelter):

.
This equation is valid for:

.
A large number of other equations are available in literature, for different fluids, flow conditions and geometries.

Calculation of the individual heat transfer coefficient


Typical Re- Pr - Re relationship
.

The logarithmic graph describes the Nusselt number as a function of the Prandtl and Reynolds
numbers.
The function is usually written as:

Nu = CRe xPr y
where x normally is 0.8 and y normally is 0.3 - 0.4.

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