Heat Conduction

Lecture 3 & 4 1
 Conduction
Fourier’s law of heat conduction:
 It is observed that the rate of heat conduction
through a layer of constant thickness Δx is
proportional to the temperature difference ΔT
across the layer and the area A normal to the
direction of heat transfer, and is inversely
proportional to the thickness of the layer, Δx .

 where the constant of proportionality kt is the thermal conductivity of

the material, which is a measure of the ability of a material to conduct
heat (See Table).
 The rate of heat conduction through a medium depends on the:
 Geometry of the medium
 Its thickness
 Material of the medium
 And temperature difference across the medium 2
Lecture 3 & 4
 Thermal Conductivity
A measure of the ability of a material to transfer heat. The thermal
conductivity of a material can be defined as the rate of heat transfer
through a unit thickness on the material per unit area per unit temperature
difference.
𝑸𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 ∗∆𝒙
𝒌𝒕 = (W/m.°𝑐 or W/m. K)
𝑨∗∆𝑻
 transport property
 indication of the rate at which energy is transferred by the diffusion
process.
 depends on the physical structure of matter, atomic and molecular,
related to the state of the matter.
 isotropic material - k is independent of the direction of transfer, kx =
ky = kz (For example, Laminated composite materials and wood).
 Materials such as copper and silver, which are good electric conductors,
are also good heat conductors, and therefore have high kt values.
 Materials such as rubber, wood, and styrofoam are poor conductors of
heat, and therefore have low kt values. 3
Lecture 3 & 4
 temperature
profile
 In the limiting case of  x → 0, the
equation above reduces to the dT
differential form dx
hot wall cold wall

 which is known as the Fourier’s law of heat conduction.

 It indicates that the rate of heat conduction in a direction is
proportional to the temperature gradient in that direction.
 Heat is conducted in the direction of decreasing temperature, and the
temperature gradient becomes negative when temperature decreases in
the direction of heat flow i.e., with increasing x. Therefore, a negative
sign is added in the Eq. to make heat transfer in the positive x direction
a positive quantity.
4
Lecture 3 & 4
Heat flux
The rate of heat transfer per unit area normal
to the direction of heat transfer is called heat
flux, and the average heat flux is expressed as.

where A is the heat transfer area,

𝑸′ is the total heat transfer . Note that heat flux
may vary with time as well as position on a
surface.
Fig.

Lecture 3 & 4 5
 One-Dimensional Heat Conduction Analysis
Large Plane Wall
 Consider the one-dimensional system shown in the Fig.
 We consider the case:
 temperature changing with time
 heat source present within the body
 For the element of thickness dx, the following energy
Balance may be made:
Fig. Elemental volume for one-
dimensional heat conduction analysis

Lecture 3 & 4 6
Internal energy = Heat stored in the body = mass of the body*specific
heat of the body material * rise in temperature of the body =
Ρ*(A*dx)*Cp*δt/δτ = Ρ*V*Cp*δt/δτ

This is the one dimensional heat conduction equation Lecture 3 & 4 7

 𝑞
𝑘

𝑞
Consider 𝑞=𝑔 and
τ

𝑞
τ

𝑞 τ
𝑞
τ τ

Lecture 3 & 4 8
 Thermal Diffusivity
 The thermal diffusivity is a measure of how
quickly a material can carry heat away from
a hot source.
 The thermal diffusivity is indicated by .
 Since material does not just transmit heat
but must be warmed by it as well,  involves
both the conductivity, k, and the volumetric
heat capacity, ρ cp.
k Heat conducted
  
Cp Heat stored
J m 3 kg.K m 2

m  s.K kg J s
The larger the thermal diffusivity, the faster the propagation of heat into
the medium. A small value of thermal diffusivity means that heat is mostly
absorbed by the material and a small amount of heat will be conducted
further. Lecture 3 & 4 9
Difference Between Thermal Conductivity and
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal conductivity is a thermophysical measure of how much heat is
transferred through a material by the conductive flow.

 Depends on the physical structure of matter, atomic and molecular,

related to the state of the matter.
 Transport property
 The unit of thermal conductivity is (W/m.°𝑐 or W/m. K).

Thermal diffusivity controls the time rate of temperature change as heat

passes through a material.

 A measure of how quickly a material can carry heat away from a hot
source.
 The larger the thermal diffusivity, the faster the propagation of heat
into the medium.
 The unit of thermal diffusivity is m2/sec.
10
Lecture 3 & 4
 Plane Wall/Slab

Assumptions:
 Steady state condition
 No heat generation
 Constant thermal conductivity (k)

𝑑2 𝑇
2
=0
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑇
⇒ = 𝐶1
𝑑𝑥
⇒ 𝑇 = 𝐶1𝑥 + 𝐶2
Boundary Conditions:
At x = 0, T = T1 ⇒ 𝐶2 = 𝑇1
𝑇 −𝑇
At x = L, T = T2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 2 1
𝐿
𝑇2−𝑇1 𝑇2−𝑇1
So, T= 𝑥 + 𝑇1 which indicates a straight line where slope is =
𝐿 𝐿
𝑑𝑇 𝑇2−𝑇1 𝑇1−𝑇2
Now, 𝑄 = −𝑘𝐴 = −𝑘𝐴 = 𝑘𝐴
𝑑𝑥 𝐿 𝐿 11
Lecture 3 & 4
𝑑2𝑇 𝑞
Plane Wall with Heat Generation
+ = 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------(1)
𝑑𝑥 2 𝑘
Integrating,
𝑑𝑇 𝑞
⇒ = − 𝑥 + 𝐶1 --------------------------------------------------------(2)
𝑑𝑥 𝑘
𝑞 𝑥2
Again integrating Equ. (2), 𝑇 = −𝑘 2 + 𝐶1𝑥 + 𝐶2 -----------------------------------------(3)
Boundary Conditions:
𝑑𝑇
(i) At x = L/2, =0
𝑑𝑥
(ii) At x = 0, L, T = Tw

Using BC (i), from equ 2 , 0 = − .

𝑞 𝐿
+ C1 Q
𝑘 2
𝑞𝐿
⇒ 𝐶1 = 2𝑘 Tc
c Q
Using BC (ii), from equ (3), 𝐶2 = 𝑇𝑤
𝑞 𝑥2 𝑞𝐿
𝑆𝑜, 𝑇 = − + 𝑥 + 𝑇𝑤 L/2
𝑘 2 2𝑘
𝐿 L/2
Temperature at the mid plane, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑐 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 =
2 L
𝑞1 𝐿 2 𝑞𝐿 𝐿
So, 𝑇𝑐 = − + + 𝑇𝑤 Fig. one-dimensional conduction
𝑘2 2 2𝑘 2 Lecture 3 & 4 with heat generation 12
 𝑞𝐿2
⇒ 𝑇𝑐 = 2 + 𝑇𝑤
8𝑘
Heat transfer rate,
𝑑𝑇
𝑄 = −𝑘𝐴
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑇 𝑞 𝑞𝐿
At x = 0, =− ∗0+
𝑑𝑥 𝑘 2𝑘

𝑑𝑇 𝑞𝐿
⇒ =
𝑑𝑥 2𝑘
𝑞𝐿 𝑞𝐴𝐿
𝑆𝑜, 𝑄 = −𝑘𝐴 = −
2𝑘 2
𝑑𝑇 𝑞 𝑞𝐿
At x = L, =− 𝐿+
𝑑𝑥 𝑘 2𝑘

𝑑𝑇 𝑞𝐿
⇒ =−
𝑑𝑥 2𝑘
𝑞𝐿 𝑞𝐴𝐿 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑞AL = total heat generation (W)
𝑆𝑜, 𝑄 = −𝑘𝐴 − =
2𝑘 2 13
Lecture 3 & 4
 Composite Wall
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 𝑇2 − 𝑇3 𝑇3 − 𝑇4
𝑄 = 𝑘𝐴 𝐴 = 𝑘𝐵 𝐴 = 𝑘𝐶 𝐴
𝛥𝑥𝐴 𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥𝐶
𝑄. 𝛥𝑥𝐴
𝑇1 − 𝑇2 =
𝑘𝐴 𝐴
𝑄. 𝛥𝑥𝐵
𝑇2 − 𝑇3 =
𝑘𝐵 𝐴
𝑄. 𝛥𝑥𝐶
𝑇3 − 𝑇4 =
𝑘𝐶 𝐴
𝛥𝑥𝐴 𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥
Summing, 𝑇1 − 𝑇4 = 𝑄(𝑘 +𝑘 + 𝑘 𝐴𝐶 )
𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐴 𝐶

𝑇1 − 𝑇4
⇒𝑄=
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥𝐶 Fig. One-dimensional heat transfer through
( 𝐴 + + ) a composite wall and electrical analog.
𝑘𝐴 𝐴 𝑘𝐵 𝐴 𝑘𝐶 𝐴

or
𝑇1 − 𝑇4
⇒ 𝑞 = 𝑄/𝐴 =
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥𝐶
( 𝐴 + + ) 14
𝑘𝐴 𝑘𝐵 𝑘𝐶 Lecture 3 & 4
 Problem Solving: Strategy
Analysis of different problems will give a deeper
appreciation for the fundamentals of the subject, and you
will gain confidence in your ability to apply these
fundamentals to the solution of engineering problems.

Be consistent in following these steps:

1. known
2. Find
3. Schematic
4. Assumptions
5. Properties
6. Analysis
7. Comments
Lecture 3 & 4 15
Problem 2.1. The EME building wall which is 2 cm thick is to be constructed from
material that has an average thermal conductivity of 1.3 W/m.°C. The wall is to be
insulated with material having an average thermal conductivity of 0.35W/m°C, 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 30°C,
calculate the thickness of insulation required. [Textbook: J.P. Hollman, Chapter 2].
Solution:
T1 = 1300°C, T2 = 30°C, kw = 1.3 W/m°C,
ki = 0.35W/m°C

The heat transfer rate per unit area,

𝑄 𝑇1 − 𝑇2
𝑞= = 2m
𝐴 (𝛥𝑥𝑤 + 𝛥𝑥𝑖 ) ?
𝑘𝑤 𝑘𝑖
𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥 𝑇 −𝑇 T1
⇒ ( 𝑤 + 𝑖) = 1 2
𝑘𝑤 𝑘𝑖 𝑞 Kw ki
𝛥𝑥𝑖 𝑇 −𝑇 𝛥𝑥
⇒ = 1 2- 𝑤 T2
𝑘𝑖 𝑞 𝑘𝑤
𝛥𝑥𝑖 1300−30 2
⇒ = - = 0.6786
𝑘𝑖 1830 100∗1.3
⇒ 𝛥𝑥𝑖 = 0.6786*0.35 = 0.238 m Lecture 3 & 4
16
Problem 2.3. The PME building office wall is formed of a 2.5-cm copper plate, a 3.2-mm
layer of asbestos, and a 5-cm layer of fiberglass. The wall is subjected to an overall
temperature difference of 560°C. Calculate the heat flow per unit area through the
composite structure. Where, kCu = 386 W/m °C, kasbes = 0.15 W/m °C, kfiberglass = 0.04 W/m
°C. [Textbook: J.P. Hollman, Chapter 2].

Solution:
5 cm
The heat transfer rate per unit area,
𝑄 𝑇1 −𝑇4 2.5 cm
𝑞= = 𝛥𝑥𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑠 𝛥𝑥𝑓𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠 3.2 mm
𝐴 𝛥𝑥
( 𝑘 𝑐𝑢 + 𝑘 +𝑘 )
𝑐𝑢 𝑎𝑠𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑠
560 Asbes.
⇒𝑞= Cu Fiber.
2.5 3.2 5
( + + )
100 ∗ 386 1000 ∗ 0.15 100 ∗ 0.04
560
⇒𝑞= = 440.5 W/m2
1.27

Lecture 3 & 4 17
 Composite Wall

Fig. Series and parallel one-dimensional heat transfer through a composite wall and electrical
analog.

𝑇1 − 𝑇5
𝑄=
𝑅𝐵 𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐷 𝑅 𝑅
(𝑅𝐴 + + 𝑅𝐸 + 𝐹 𝐺 )
𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅𝐵 𝑅𝐷 + 𝑅𝐵 𝑅𝐶 𝑅𝐺 + 𝑅𝐹

𝑇1 − 𝑇5
𝑞 = 𝑄/𝐴 =
𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥𝐶 𝛥𝑥𝐷 𝛥𝑥𝐹 𝛥𝑥𝐺
𝛥𝑥𝐴 𝑘 𝑘 𝑘 𝛥𝑥 𝑘 𝑘𝐺
+ 𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥 𝐵𝛥𝑥 𝐶𝛥𝑥 𝐷 𝛥𝑥 𝛥𝑥 + 𝐸 + 𝛥𝑥𝐹 𝛥𝑥
𝑘𝐴 𝐶 𝑘𝐸
𝐷
+ 𝐵 𝐷+ 𝐵 𝐶 𝐹
+ 𝐺
𝑘𝐶 𝑘𝐷 𝑘𝐵 𝑘𝐷 𝑘𝐵 𝑘𝐶 𝑘𝐹 𝑘𝐺
18
Lecture 3 & 4
Problem 2.4. The schematic is the PME building side wall which is
consisted of composite materials. Find the heat transfer per unit area
through the composite wall in the following Figure. Assume one-
dimensional heat flow. [J. P. Hollman]
Solution:

The heat transfer rate per unit

area,
𝑇1 − 𝑇4
𝑞 = 𝑄/𝐴 =
𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥𝐷
𝛥𝑥𝐴 𝑘 𝑘𝐷 𝛥𝑥
+ 𝛥𝑥𝐵 𝛥𝑥 + 𝐶
𝑘𝐴 𝐷 𝑘𝐶
+ 𝐵
𝑘𝐷 𝑘𝐵

370 − 66
⇒𝑞=
7.5 7.5
2.5 × 5
( + 100 ∗ 30 100 ∗ 70 + )
100 ∗ 150 7.5 7.5 100 ∗ 50
+
100 ∗ 70 100 ∗ 30

= ???
Lecture 3 & 4 19