Islamic Azad University

Karaj Branch
Dr. M. Khosravy
Chapter 6
Introduction to Convection
1
Problems involving
conduction: Chapters 2-3
Chapter 3:
Obtained temperature profiles for 1-D, SS
conduction, with and without generation
We wrote the 1-D, SS problems in terms of
resistances in series
We defined an overall heat transfer
coefficient, as the inverse of the total
resistance
Transient problems: Chapter 5
Obtained temperature as a function of
time for cases where resistance to
conduction was negligible
Energy Conservation
Dr. M. Khosravy 2
Dr. M. Khosravy
In Chapters 1-5 we used Newtons law of convection:
! h was provided
! we did not consider any temperature variations within the fluid
3
Dr. M. Khosravy
Chapter 6:
We will apply dimensional analysis to the boundary layer to find a functional
dependence of h
In subsequent chapters we will use this information to obtain temperature
distributions within the fluid.
4
Introduction to Convection
Convection denotes energy transfer between a
surface and a fluid moving over the surface.
The dominant contribution is due to the bulk (or gross)
motion of fluid particles.
In this chapter we will
Discuss the physical mechanisms underlying convection
Discuss physical origins and introduce relevant
dimensionless parameters that can help us to perform
convection transfer calculations in subsequent chapters.
Note similarities between heat, mass and momentum
transfer.
Dr. M. Khosravy 5
Dr. M. Khosravy
Heat Transfer Coefficient
Recall Newtons law of cooling for heat transfer between a surface of
arbitrary shape, area A
s
and temperature T
s
and a fluid:
! Generally flow conditions will vary
along the surface, so q is a local
heat flux and h a local convection
coefficient.
! The total heat transfer rate is
where
average heat transfer coefficient
(6.1)
(6.2)
6
Dr. M. Khosravy
Heat Transfer Coefficient
For flow over a
flat plate:
! How can we estimate the heat transfer coefficient?
(6.3)
7
Dr. M. Khosravy
The Velocity Boundary
Layer
The flow is characterized by two regions:
A thin fluid layer (boundary layer) in which velocity gradients and
shear stresses are large. Its thickness d is defined as the value of
y for which u = 0.99
An outer region in which velocity gradients and shear stresses are
negligible
Consider flow
of a fluid over
a flat plate:
For Newtonian
fluids:
and
where C
f
is the local
friction coefficient
8
Dr. M. Khosravy
The Thermal Boundary Layer
The thermal boundary layer is the region of the fluid in which
temperature gradients exist
Its thickness is defined as the value of y for which the ratio:
Consider flow of a
fluid over an
isothermal flat
plate:
At the plate surface (y=0) there is no
fluid motion The local heat flux is:
and
(6.5) (6.4)
9
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Dr. M. Khosravy
Transition criterion at Re
critical
:
Transition criterion at Re
critical
:
10
Dr. M. Khosravy
Example
Consider airflow over a flat plate of length L=1m under conditions for which
transition occurs at x
c
=0.5 m.
(a) Determine the air velocity (T=350K).
(b) What are the average convection coefficients in the laminar region and
turbulent region as a function of the distance from the leading edge?
C
lam
=8.845 W/m
3/2
.K
C
turb
=49.75 W/m
1.8
.K
11
Dr. M. Khosravy
Boundary Layers - Summary
Velocity boundary layer (thickness d(x)) characterized by the
presence of velocity gradients and shear stresses - Surface
friction, C
f
Thermal boundary layer (thickness d
t
(x)) characterized by
temperature gradients Convection heat transfer coefficient, h
Concentration boundary layer (thickness d
c
(x)) is characterized
by concentration gradients and species transfer Convection
mass transfer coefficient, h
m
12
Dr. M. Khosravy
! Need to determine the heat transfer coefficient, h
! Must know T(x,y), which depends on velocity field
(6.5)
13
Functional form of the solutions
Dr. M. Khosravy 14
From dimensional analysis, or solution of boundary layer equations:
(6.6)
where Nu is the local Nusselt number
(6.7)
Dr. M. Khosravy
Functional form of the solutions
where:
Prandtl number
Reynolds number
The average Nusselt number, based on the average heat transfer
coefficient is:
(6.8)
15
Physical meaning of dimensionless
groups
Dr. M. Khosravy 16
See Table 6.2 textbook for a comprehensive list of dimensionless
groups
Dr. M. Khosravy
True or False
A velocity boundary layer always forms when a stream with free
velocity V
!
comes into contact with a solid surface.
Similarly a thermal boundary layer will always form when a stream
with free stream temperature T
!
comes into contact with a solid
surface.
The critical Reynolds number for laminar to turbulent transition is the
same for flow inside a pipe and for flow over a plate
The Nusselt number is the same as the Biot number.
17
Example
An object of irregular shape has a characteristic length of L=1 m and
is maintained at a uniform surface temperature of Ts=400 K. When
placed in atmospheric air, at a temperature of 300 K and moving
with a velocity of V=100 m/s, the average heat flux from the surface
of the air is 20,000 W/m2. If a second object of the same shape, but
with a characteristic length of L=5 m, is maintained at a surface
temperature of Ts=400K and is placed in atmospheric air at 300 K,
what will the value of the average convection coefficient be, if the air
velocity is V=20 m/s?
Dr. M. Khosravy 18
Dr. M. Khosravy
Summary
In addition to heat transfer due to conduction, we
considered for the first time heat transfer due to bulk
motion of the fluid
We discussed the concept of the boundary layer
We defined the local and average heat transfer
coefficients and obtained a general expression, in the
form of dimensionless groups to describe them.
In the following chapters we will obtain expressions to
determine the heat transfer coefficient for specific
geometries
19