Question

A wall 2 cm thick is to be constructed from material that has an average thermal

conductivity of 1.3 W/m xc2xb7 xc2xb0C. The wall is to be insulated with material having
an average thermal conductivity of 0.35 W/m xc2xb7 xc2xb0C, so that the heat loss per
square meter will not exceed 1830 W. Assuming that the inner and outer surface
temperatures of the insulated wall are 1300 and 30xc2xb0C, calculate the thickness of
insulation required.

Answer

Step 1
In order to find the thickness of the insulation proceed as follows:

Write an expression for the heat flow q.

Here, initial temperature is , center temperature is , thickness of wall is ,

thickness of insulation is , thermal conductivity for wall is , thermal
conductivity for insulation is , area of wall is , and area of insulation
is .

Substitute 2 cm for , for , for , for

, for , 1830 W for , and

Therefore, the thickness of the insulation is .