3.

0 SYLLABUS CONTENT

3.1` Convection Principles heat transfer coefficient

3.2 Convection boundary layer theory
3.3 Forced convection over exterior surface (laminar
flow)
3.4 Forced convection in turbulent flow (Reynolds
analogy.
3.5 Free convection and laminar profile over vertical
plates

1
 Convection Principles
(Nusselt Number)

Nusselt Number
Developed by Wilhelm Nusselt
(1882-1957) from Germany
In convection analysis, it is
common practice to non-
dimensionalized the governing
equations and combine the
variables, which group together in
dimensionless numbers to reduce
the number of variables.

2
 Convection Principles
(Nusselt Number)

The Nusselt number is a non-dimensionalized h,

defined as:

hLc
Nu Lc - Characteristic Length
k k - Thermal conductivity of fluid

3
 Convection Principles
(Nusselt Number)

Since:
Heat transfer by conduction occurs when the fluid
is motionless and
Heat transfer by convection occurs when the fluid
involves some motion.
In either case, the heat flux is the rate of heat
transfer per unit time per unit surface area.

q conv h T
T
q cond k
L 4
 Convection Principles
(Nusselt Number)

Taking the ratio of these two equations:

q conv h T h L
k T Nu
q cond L k
Thus Nu represents the enhancement of heat transfer through a
fluid layer as a result of convection relative to conduction
across the same fluid layer. The larger Nu, the more effective
the convection.

Nu = 1 for a fluid layer, represents pure conduction.

5
 Convection Principles
(Viscosity)

Dynamic viscosity ( ) The shear force per unit area

required to drag on layer of fluid with unit velocity passed
another layer a unit distance away from the fluid.


du
dy

Kinematic viscosity ( ) The ratio of dynamic viscosity

to density.



6
3.2 Convection boundary
layer theory

7
 Convection Principles
(Velocity Boundary Layer)

Velocity boundary development on a flat plate:

The boundary layer thickness ( ) is normally defined

as where:
u 0.99 u 8
 Convection Principles
(Velocity Boundary Layer)

The dashed line, divides the flow

y
over the plate into two regions: u
Inviscid
Flow
Boundary layer region
In which the viscous effects and Boundary
velocity changes are significant. Layer

x
Inviscid flow region
Heated Surface
In which the friction effects are
negligible and the velocity
remains constant.
9
 Convection Principles
(Velocity Boundary Layer)

Flow regions in velocity boundary of a flat plate:

10
 Convection Principles
(Velocity Boundary Layer)

Comparison of a laminar and turbulent velocity

boundary layer profile:

11
 Convection Principles
(Thermal Boundary Layer)

Likewise there is a thermal

boundary layer
y T
No temperature jump condition
x
Because velocity of the fluid
Heated Surface
is zero at the point of contact
with the solid surface, the
fluid and solid surface must
have the same temperature
at the point of contact.

12
 Convection Principles
(Thermal Boundary Layer)

Thermal boundary development on a flat plate:

Ts+0.99(T-Ts)

The thickness of the thermal boundary layer ( t) at any location

along the surface is defined as the distance from the surface at
which:
13
=T-T =0.99(T -T )
 Convection Principles
(Prandtl Number)

Prandtl Number
Developed by Ludwig Prandtl (1875-1953) of
Germany.

The relative thickness of the velocity and

thermal boundary layers is best described by
a dimensionless Prandtl number (below):

Molecular Diffusivity of Momentum

Pr
Molecular Diffusivity of Heat
Cp

k
14
 Prandtl Number ?

The Prandtl numbers of gases are about 1, which

indicates that both momentum and heat dissipate
through the fluid at about the same rate.

Heat diffuses very quickly in liquid metals (Pr << 1) and

very slowly in oils (Pr >> 1) relative to momentum.

Consequently the thermal boundary layer is much thicker

for liquid metals and much thinner for oils relative to the
velocity boundary layer,
15
 Convection Principles
(Reynolds Number)

Reynolds Number
Derived by Osbourne Reynolds (1842-1912)
of Britain

The transition from laminar to turbulent flow

depends on the surface geometry, surface
roughness, free stream velocity, surface
temperature, and type of fluid (among other
things).

However, the flow regime primarily depends

upon the ratio of inertia forces to viscous
forces in a fluid. This is a dimensionless
quantity, known as Reynolds number (Re).
16
 Convection Principles
(Reynolds Number)

The Reynolds number is defined as:

Inertia Forces V L V L
Re
Viscous Forces

V upstream velocity
L characteristic length
= kinematic viscosity of fluid

17
 Convection Principles
(Reynolds Number)

Inertia Forces V L V L
Re
Viscous Forces

A large Re (inertia forces large)

Means that the viscous forces cannot contain random and
rapid fluctuations (turbulent).

A small Re (viscous forces large)

Keeps the fluid in-line (laminar).

The Reynolds number where the flow becomes turbulent is

called the critical Reynolds number (Recrit)
18
 Convection Principles
(Reynolds Number)

For flow over a flat plate, the generally accepted

value of Recrit is:

u xcrit
Flat Plate: Re crit 5 105

where: xcrit= Distance between the leading edge

of the plate to the transition point
from laminar to turbulent flow takes place.

19
3.3 Forced convection over an
exterior surface
(laminar and turbulent flow)

20
 External Flow

The convection equations for an external flow can be

derived from the conservation of mass, conservation
of energy, and the conservation of momentum
equations.

21
 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Mass)

Conservation of Mass
m x u dy 1
Unit Area dv
m y v dx 1 v dy
dy
Unit Area

dx
u
u dy u dx
x

v 22
 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Mass)

Rate of mass Rate of mass

flow into = flow out of
control volume control volume

u v
u dy v dx u dx dy v dy dx
x y
u v
u dy v dx u dy dx dy v dx dx dy
x y
u v
0 ~ 2-D Continuity Equation
x y 23
 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Momentum)

Conservation of Momentum

dy
ma = Net Force y

P
P P dx
x
dy
dx

24
 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Momentum)

In the x-direction:

u u P 2u 2u
u v 2 2 g x
x y x x y
Body force
Net

du per unit
Net effect of viscous
pressure volume
force and shear forces

In the y-direction:

v v P 2v 2v
u v 2 2 g y
x y y x y
Body force
dv Net Net effect of viscous per unit
pressure and shear forces volume
force 25
 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Energy)

Conservation of Energy
Eheat out, y Emass out, y
E in E out 0

Eheat in, x dx Eheat out, x

dy
Emass in, x Emass out, x

Eheat in, y Emass in, y 26

 External Flow Equations
(Conservation of Energy)

General 2-D energy equation

T T 2T 2T u 2 v 2 u v
2

C p u v k 2 2 2
x y x y x y y x

For 2-D inviscid flow:

T T 2T 2T
C p u v k 2 2
x y x y

27
 Convection over a Flat Plate
T, u Boundary layer

y dy
dx
x
u(x,0)= 0
v(x,0)= 0
T(x,0)= Ts

Consider laminar flow over a flat plate. When

viscous dissipation is negligible, the convection
equations reduce for steady, incompressible laminar
flow (with constant properties) over a flat plate.
28
 Convection over a Flat Plate

Consider elemental control volume for force balance

in the laminar boundary layer.

u v
Continuity: 0
x y

u u 2u
Momentum: u v 2
x y y

T T 2T
Energy: u v 2
x y y
29
 Convection over a Flat Plate

Boundary conditions:

At x= 0: u(0,y)= u, T(0,y)= T
At y= 0: u(x,0)= 0, v(x,0)= 0, T(x,0)= Ts
At y= : u(x, )= u, T(x, )= T

Define a dimensionless similarity variable:

u
y
x

30
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Momentum Equation)

So substituting these values into the definition for , gives the

velocity boundary layer thickness for a flat plate.
5.0; y

u
y
x
u
5
x
For laminar 5.0 5.0 x u x
where : Re
flat plate: u Re
EQN 6-51
x text 31
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Energy Equation)

Energy Equation
Knowing the velocity profile, we can now solve the energy
equation.
Introduce dimensionless temperature:

T x, y Ts
x, y
T Ts

Note: both Ts and T are constant.

32
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Energy Equation)

Therefore the local convection coefficient and Nusselt number

become:

hx
q s

k T
y y 0 k 0.332 Pr 1
3
Ts T u
x
Ts T Ts T Ts T

u
hx 0.332 Pr k
1
3

33
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Laminar Flow)

The local Nusselt number is the dimensionless temperature

gradient at the surface. This is defined as:

hx x
Nu x
k

Thus for Pr > 0.6, the local Nusselt number for laminar flow is:

Nu x 0.332 Pr Re
1 1
3 2

34
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Laminar Flow)

Therefore the local skin friction coefficient is:

2 wall 12
CF , x 0.664 Re x
u2

35
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Laminar Flow)

So the average Nusselt number for laminar flow over

the entire plate is:

hL 1
Nu 0.664 Re L Pr 3
0 .5

36
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Laminar Flow)

Solving numerically for temperature profile for

different Prandtl numbers, and using the definition of
the thermal boundary layer, it is determined that for
laminar flow over a flat plate:

13 13
t Pr Pr
1.026

37
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)

Example 3.1a Calculate the heat transfer and the

thermal boundary layer thickness of the way along
a flat plate that is 50 m long. Liquid (T sat H2O= 40 C)
flows over it at 4 m/s. The plate is kept at a surface
temperature (Ts= 80 C).
Ts= 80C
40 C
4 m/s
y
x
50 m
38
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)
40 C
y
80 C

x
50 m

The first step is to calculate the mean film temperature of the

fluid flowing along the plate.

This is just the average of the surface temperature and the fluid
bulk temperature.

Ts T 80C 40C
T film 60C
2 2
39
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)
40 C
y
80 C

x
50 m

For liquid at 60 C from Table

983.3 kg
m3

4.67 kg
m s

k 0.654 W
m C

Pr 2.99 40
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)

First calculate the Reynolds number to determine whether the

flow is laminar or turbulent.

x 983.3 4 50 m
kg
u m3
m
s
1
4
Re 10,527.8
4.67 kg
m s

Since Re < Recrit = 5x105 or 500,000 ~ Flow is laminar

Therefore:

5 x

5 504m
0.609 m
Re 10,527.8

t
Pr

0.609 m 2.99
13 13
0.412 m
1.026 1.026 41
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)

Example 3.1b Now calculate the convective heat transfer.

First we must check to see whether the entire plate is in a

laminar boundary layer or not.

L 983.3 4 50 m
kg
u m3
m
s
Re 42,111 .3
4.67 kg
m s

Since Re < Recrit = 5x105 or 500,000 ~ Flow is laminar over the

entire plate

42
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)

Therefore we can use the following equation to find h:

1 u 1 u
h 0.332 Pr k 3
0.332 Pr k
3

x x

0.332 2.99 0.654 mWC

1 4 m
s 983 .3 kg
m3
4.67 mkgs 50 m
3

0.619 W
2
m C

43
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.1)

Using this h, we can now find the convection heat transfer:

q h (Ts T )

0.619 m 2WC 80C 40C
24.8 mW2

44
Convection over a Flat Plate
(Turbulent and Mixed Flows)

Completely Turbulent Flow

Turbulent

Mixed Laminar/Turbulent Flow

45
46
 FILM TEMPERATURE

Fluid temperature at the surface TS varies to T

Fluid properties also vary with temperature and thus
with position across the boundary layer.
The variation of these properties are called film
temperature which is defined as arithmetic average
of the surface and the free-stream temperature

Ts T
Tf
2

47
Boundary layer thickness and the
local friction coefficient

Laminar Turbulent
5x 0.382 x
x x
Re x 5 Re
x

0.664 0.0592
C f ,x C f ,x
Re x 5 Re
x

48
 Average friction coefficient

1.328
Laminar Cf ReL< 5 105
Re L

0.074
Turbulent Cf 5 105 < ReL<107
5 Re
L

49
 Local Nusselt number

hx x 1
Laminar Nu x 0.332 Re x Pr 3
0.5
Pr >0.60
k

hx x 1
Turbulent Nu x 0.0296 Re x Pr 3
0.8 0.60<Pr <60
k 5 105 < ReL<107

50
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Turbulent and Mixed Flows)

Note: if it had been found that the boundary layer was not
completely laminar another equation for h could have been
used instead.

For turbulent flow (all over the plate):

1 0.6 Pr 60
Nu 0.037 Re Pr 0.8
L
3

5 105 Re 107

For a mixed combination of laminar and turbulent flow over the

plate:

Nu 0.037 Re 871 Pr
0.8
L 1
3
0.6 Pr 60
5 105 Re L 107
51
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

Example 3.2 Oil flows over a 40-m long heated plate at free
stream conditions of 5 m/s and 25C. If the plate is held at 45C.
Ts= 45C
u= 5 m/s
T= 25C

40 m
a) Determine the velocity and thermal boundary layer
thicknesses at the middle of the plate.

b) Calculate the distance where the laminar change to

turbulence flow
c) Calculate the total convection heat transfer for a 1-m
width. 52
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

First calculate the film temperature (Tf)

T Ts 25C 45C
T film 35C
2 2
From Tables for oil at 35C, the fluid properties are:

Pr 3,711
3.5 10 4 m2
s

k 0.2864 W
m C

1,255 m3 kg

53
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

a) At the middle of the plate:

40 m
x 20 m
2
u x 5 ms 20 m
Re mid 2.86 10 5

po int 3.5 10 s 4 m2

Since the critical Reynolds number is 5x105, then:

Re mid Re crit
po int

The flow at the mid-point of the plate is laminar. 54

 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

The hydrodynamic (or velocity) boundary layer is:

5 x 5 20 m
x 20 0.187 m or 18.7 cm
Re 2.86 105

The thermal boundary layer is:

13
t Pr
1.026
0.187 m
3,711 0.0118 m or 11 .8 mm
13

1.026
55
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

b) At the end of the plate:

u L 5 ms 40 m
Re end 5.714 10 5

3.5 10 s 4 m2

Since Re > Recrit the flow is turbulent at the end

The critical distance (transition point from laminar to
turbulent is:
Re crit
xcrit
u
5 10 3.5 10
5 4 m2
35 m
s
56
5 m
s
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

c) Using the mixed Nu equation for a flat plate:

0 .8

Nu 0.037 Re 871 Pr
1
3

0.037 5.7110
L
5 0.8
871 3,711
1
3

9,600.7

Nu k
h
L
9,600.7 0.2864 W
68.7
m C W
2
m C
40 m
57
 Convection over a Flat Plate
(Example 3.2)

The total heat transfer per is:

Q h As Ts T

68.7 W
m 2 C
40 m 1 m 45C 25C
54,960 W

58
 Forced Convection
(on Cylinders and Spheres)

Flows across cylinders and

spheres, in general, involve
flow separation which is
difficult to handle analytically.

Thus these must be studied

empirically or experimentally

Several correlations have

been developed for the heat
transfer coefficient (h).

59
 Forced Convection
(on Cylinders and Spheres)

Churchill and Bernstein developed this empirical

equation for flow over a cylinder (Eqn. 7-35 in text):
4

0.62 Re Pr Re
1 1 5 5
hD 2 3 8

Nucyl 0.3 1
k
1 0Pr.4 3
2
1

4
282,000

Whitaker developed this empirical equation for flow

over a sphere (Eqn. 7-36 in text):
1

0.4
4
hD
Pr
2
2 0.4 Re 0.06 Re 3
1
Nu sph 2

k s
60
 Forced Convection
(over Circular and Non-Circular Cylinders)
Additionally the following empirical correlations have been made
by Zukauskas and Jakob for the average Nusselt number for flow
over circular and non-circular cylinders (Table 7-1 in text):

61
 Forced Convection
(over Circular and Non-Circular Cylinders)

62
 Example

A long 10 cm diameter steam pipe whose external

surface temperature is 110C passes through some
open area that is not protected against the winds.
Determine the rate of heat loss from the pipe per unit
length when the air is at 1 atm pressure and 10C and
the wind is blowing across the pipe at a velocity of 8
m/s.

63
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.3)

Example 3.3 A long 10-cm diameter hexagonal steam pipe

whose external surface temperature is 110C passes through
some open area that is not protected against the wind.
Determine the rate of heat loss when the air is at 1 atm
pressure and 10C and the wind is blowing across a 1-m length
of pipe at a velocity of 8 m/s.

V = 8 m/s
Ts=110C
T = 10C

10 cm

64
1m
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.3)

The properties of air at the average film temperature

of:
Ts T 110C 10C
T film 60C
2 2

can be found from Table A-15 as:

k 0.02808 W
m C ; Pr 0.7202
1.896 10 5 m 2
s

65
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.3)

The Reynolds number is:

V D 8 ms 0.10 m
Re 4. 219 10 4

1.896 10 s 5 m 2

The Nusselt number can be determined from Table 7-1

in the text book:
1

Nu 0.153 Re Pr
0.638 3

0.153 4.219 10 4 0.638

0.7202
1
3

122.5
66
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.3)

Therefore:
k
h Nu
D
0.02808 mWC
122.5 34.4 W
m 2 C
0.10 m
60
D/2
The surface area of the hexagon is:
D
As 6 L
2 sin 60
3 0.10 m 1 m

sin 60
67
0.346 m 2
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.3)

Therefore, the heat transfer is:

Q h As Ts T

34.4 W
m 2 C
0.346 m 110C 10C
2

1,191.7 W

68
3.5 Reynolds Analogy

69
 Forced Convection
(Reynolds Analogy)

In forced convection analysis, we are primarily

interested in the determination of quantities of:

The coefficient of friction (CF) (to calculate the

shear stress at the wall)
Nusselt number (Nu) ( to calculate the heat
transfer rates).

Therefore, it is desirable to have a relation between

CF and Nu, so that we can calculate one when the
other is available.
70
 Forced Convection
(Reynolds Analogy)

Similarity between momentum and heat trasfer in

boundary layer are called Reynolds Analogy and
Chilton-Colburn analogy

C F , x Re Reynolds Analogy for

Nu x
2 Pr = 1
or
CF , x
St x
2

71
 Forced Convection
(Stanton Number)

Reynolds Analogy can also be

expressed in terms of the Stanton
number (St).

This was derived by Sir Thomas

Edward Stanton (1865-1931) from
England

h Nu
St
C P V Re Pr
72
 Forced Convection
(Reynolds Analogy)

Reynolds Analogy is important because it allows us

to determine the heat transfer coefficient (h) for fluids
where Pr = 1, from knowledge of the friction
coefficient (which is easier to measure).

73
 Forced Convection
(Chilton-Colburn Analogy)

However, the Reynolds number is of limited use

because of the restrictions:

Pr = 1
P *
0
x
*

Therefore it is desirable to have an analogy that is

applicable over a wide range of Pr.

This is done by adding a Prandtl number correction.74

 Forced Convection
(Chilton-Colburn Analogy)

Recall as previously derived:

12
C F , x 0.664 Re Nu x 0.332 Pr Re x2
1 1

x and 3

Taking their ratio and rearranging give the relation

known as the Chilton-Colburn analogy or the
modified Reynold's analogy:
CF , x 13 1 Colburn j-factor
Nu x Pr Re L jH
2
For 0.6 < Pr < 60
CF , x hx 2
jH Pr 3
2 C p V 75
 Forced Convection
(Chilton-Colburn Analogy)

The Chilton-Colburn Analogy is derived using:

Laminar flow
Over a flat plate ( P 0 )
x

However, experimental studies however show that it is also

approximately applicable to turbulent flow over a surface in
the presence of pressure gradients.

For laminar flow it is not applicable unless it is a flat plate,

therefore it cannot be applied to laminar flow in a pipe.

Also the analogy above can be used for local or average

quantities.

76
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.4)

Example 3.4 Laminar flow profile Air Flow

over a vertical plate. A 2 x 3 m plate T= 15C
V = 7 m/s
is suspended in a room and subject
to air flow parallel to its surfaces
along its 3 m side. The total drag
force acting on the plate is 0.86 N.
Determine the average heat transfer
coefficient (h) for the plate: 3m
The properties of air at 1 atm (Table A-15 in
text book) at Tfilm= 20 C: Ts=25C

kg kJ 2m
1.204 3 ; C p 1.007
m kg
77
Pr 0.7309
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.4)

Set L= 3 m ~ Characteristic length

Since both sides of the plate are exposed to the air (and
considering the thickness negligibly small) the total surface area
is:
As 2 w L
2 2 m 3 m 12 m 2

78
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.4)

For all flat plates:

Drag = Friction Force

F friction D C F As V
1
2
2

Therefore:

2 D 2 0.86 N
CF 0.00243
2

As V 1.204 mkg3 12 m 2 7 s
m 2

79
 Forced Convection
(Example 3.4)

Then from the modified Reynolds analogy (Chilton-

Colburn) the average heat transfer coefficient (h) can
be calculated:

C F V C p
h 2
2 Pr 3

0.00243 1.204

kg
m3
7 1007
m
s
J
kg C
2
2 0.7309 3

12.7 m 2WC

80
3.7 Free (natural) convection

81
 Free Convection

Hot air rises due to the

Warm air
buoyancy effect.

This causes fluid motion

(possibly in a circulating pattern)
that causes natural or free
convection
Heat
Transfer

Cold
can Cold air 82
 Free Convection
(Volume Expansion Coefficient)

In heat transfer, the primary variable is the

temperature, so it is desirable to express the net
buoyancy force in terms of a temperature difference.
This requires knowledge of a property that represents the
variation of the density of a fluid with temperature at constant
pressure.

This is called the volume expansion coefficient () which is

defined as:

1 1

T P T P
83
 Free Convection
(Volume Expansion Coefficient)

In natural convection studies, the condition of the fluid

sufficiently far from the hot or cold surface is indicated by the
subscript to indicate that the presence of the surface is not
felt.

In such cases, can be expressed approximately by replacing

the differential equations by differences, such as:

1 1

T T T

T T
84
 Free Convection
(Volume Expansion Coefficient)

For an ideal gas:

P

R T

Thus for an ideal gas the discharge coefficient

becomes:

1 1 RTP 1
P
T P RT T T

85
 Free Convection
(Grashof Number)

The velocity and temperature for natural

convection over a vertical plate are
shown in the figure.

As in forced convection, the boundary

layer thickness increases in the flow
direction

Unlike forced convection, the fluid

velocity (u) is 0 at the outer edge of
the boundary layer as well as the
surface of the plate.

This is expected since the fluid

beyond the boundary layer is
86
motionless.
 Grashof number

Forced convection is governed by the dimensionless

Reynolds number( represents ratio of inertia forces
to viscous forces acting on the fluid)
Natural convection is governed by the
dimensionless Grashof number ( represents ratio of
the buoyancy force to the viscous force acting on
the fluid)
Grashof number provides the main criterion in
determining whether the fluid flow is laminar or
turbulent
For vertical plates, the critical Grashof number is
observed to be about 109
87
 Free Convection
(Grashof Number)

The Grashof number is derived by

Franz Grashof (1826-1893) from
Germany.

g Ts T L3c
GrL
2

g = gravitational acceleration ,m/s2

= coefficient of volume expansion,1/K
( =1/Tf)
Ts= temperature of the surface, C
T= temperature of the fluid sufficiently
far from the surface, C
Lc= characteristic length of the
geometry, m 88
= kinematic viscosity of the fluid, m2/s
 Free Convection
(Grashof Number)

Gr is a measure of the relative

magnitudes of the buoyancy force
and the opposing viscous force
acting on the fluid

89
 Free Convection
(Raleigh Number)

Lord Raleigh (1842-1919) from

England derived the Raleigh Number

Ra Gr Pr
g Ts T L3c
RaL Pr
2

hLc
Nu
k

90
91
Cont

92
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Example 3.6 A 6-m long section of 8-cm diameter

horizontal hot water pipe passes through a large
room. The pipe surface temperature is 70 C.
Determine the heat loss from the pipe by natural
convection.
Ts= 70 C T= 20 C

D= 8 cm

L= 6 m

93
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Assume:
Steady operating conditions
Air is an ideal gas
The local atmospheric pressure is 1 atm

Ts T 70C 20C
T film 45C
2 2

From Table A-15, the properties of

5 air
m 2 are:
k 0.02699 mC ; 1.749 10
W
sec ; Pr 0.7241
94
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

The volumetric expansion coefficient () is:

1 1 1

T f 45C 273 318 K

The characteristic length is the outer diameter of the

pipe:

Lc D 0.08 m

95
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Therefore the Raleigh Number is:

g Ts T D 3
Ra D Pr
2

m 1

9.81 s 2 318 K 343 K 293 K 0.08 m 0.7241
3

5 m 2 2
1.749 10 s
1.869 106

96
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Table 9-1 in the text book gives average Nusselt

numbers for natural convection over surfaces.

For a horizontal cylinder:

97
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Thus Nu is: 2


0.387 RaD6
1

Nu D 0.60 8
0.559 16
9 27

1
Pr
2



0.60

0.387 1.869 106 6
1

17.4
8

0.559 16
9 27

1
0.7241 98
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Then:

k
h Nu
0.02699 mWC
17.4 5.869 m W2 C
D 0.08 m

The surface area of the cylinder is:

As D L
0.08 m 6 m 1.508 m 2

99
 Free Convection
(Example 3.6)

Therefore the heat transfer is:

Q h As Ts T
5.869 W
mC
1.508 m 70C 20C
2

442.5 W

100
 Example
(cooling of a plate in different orientations)

Consider a 0.6 m 0.6 m thin square plate in a room at

30C. One side of the plate is maintained at a
temperature of 90C, while the other side is insulated.
Determine the rate of heat transfer from the plate by
natural convection if the plate is a) vertical, b)
horizontal with hot surface facing up and c) horizontal
with hot surface facing down.

101
C C
End Of Convection Section

102