Problems

Q1. The roof of an electrically heated home is 6 m long, 8 m wide, and 0.25 m thick, and is
made of a flat layer of concrete whose thermal conductivity is k = 0.8 W/m°C. The temperatures
of the inner and the outer surfaces of the roof one night are measured to be 15°C and 4°C,
respectively, for a period of 10 hours. Determine (a) the rate of heat loss through the roof that
night and (b) the cost of that heat loss to the home owner if the cost of electricity

is $0.08/kWh. (Ans: (a) 1.69 kW and (b) $ 1.35)

Q2. A 2-m-long, 0.3-cm-diameter electrical wire extends across a room at 15°C. Heat is
generated in the wire as a result of resistance heating, and the surface temperature of the wire
is measured to be 152°C in steady operation. Also, the voltage drops and electric current
through the wire are measured to be 60 V and 1.5 A, respectively. Disregarding any heat transfer
by radiation, determine the convection heat transfer coefficient for heat transfer between the
outer surface of the wire and the air in the room. (Ans: 34.9 W/m2 K)

Q3. Consider a person standing in a breezy room at 20°C. Determine the total rate of heat
transfer from this person if the exposed surface area and the average outer surface temperature
of the person are 1.6 m2 and 29°C, respectively, and the convection heat transfer coefficient is
6 W/m2 °C. (Ans: Convective heat transfer = 86.4 W, radiative heat transfer = 81.7 W,
Total = 168.1 W)

Q4. Consider a large plane wall of thickness L = 0.2 m, thermal conductivity k = 1.2 W/m °C,
and surface area A = 15 m2. The two sides of the wall are maintained at constant temperatures
of T1 = 120°C and T2 = 50°C, respectively. Determine (a) the variation of temperature within
the wall and the value of temperature at x = 0.1 m and (b) the rate of heat conduction through
the wall under steady conditions. (Ans: (a) 85°C, (b) 6300 W)

Q5. Consider a steam pipe of length L = 20 m, inner radius r1 = 6 cm, outer radius r2 = 8 cm,
and thermal conductivity k = 20 W/m °C. The inner and outer surfaces of the pipe are
maintained at average temperatures of T1 = 150°C and T2 = 60°C, respectively. Obtain a general
relation for the temperature distribution inside the pipe under steady conditions, and determine
the rate of heat loss from the steam through the pipe. (Ans: 786 kW)

Q6. Consider a spherical container of inner radius r1 = 8 cm, outer radius r2 = 10 cm, and
thermal conductivity k = 45 W/m °C. The inner and outer surfaces of the container are
maintained at constant temperatures of T1 = 200°C and T2 = 80°C, respectively, as a result of
some chemical reactions occurring inside. Obtain a general relation for the temperature
distribution inside the shell under steady conditions, and determine the rate of heat loss from
the container. (Ans: 27140 W)

Q7. Consider a 3 m high, 5 m wide, and 0.3 m thick wall whose thermal conductivity is k =
0.9 W/m °C. On a certain day, the temperatures of the inner and the outer surfaces of the wall
are measured to be 16°C and 2°C, respectively. Determine the rate of heat loss through the wall
on that day. (Ans: 630 W)

Q8. Consider a 0.8 m high and 1.5 m wide glass window with a thickness of 8 mm and a
thermal conductivity of k = 0.78 W/m °C. Determine the steady rate of heat transfer through
this glass window and the temperature of its inner surface for a day during which the room is
maintained at 20°C while the temperature of the outdoors is 10°C. Take the heat transfer
coefficients on the inner and outer surfaces of the window to be h1 = 10 W/m2 °C and h2 = 40
W/m2 °C, which includes the effects of radiation. (Ans: 266 W and Inner Temp. = -2.2°C)

Q9. Consider a 0.8 m high and 1.5 m wide double-pane window consisting of two 4 mm thick
layers of glass (k = 0.78 W/m °C) separated by a 10 mm wide stagnant air space (k = 0.026
W/m °C). Determine the steady rate of heat transfer through this double-pane window and the
temperature of its inner surface for a day during which the room is maintained at 20°C while
the temperature of the outdoors is -10°C. Take the convection heat transfer coefficients on the
inner and outer surfaces of the window to be h1= 10 W/m2 °C and h2 = 40 W/m2 °C, which
includes the effects of radiation. (Ans: 69.2 W and 14.2°C)

Q10. A 3 m high and 5 m wide wall consists of long 16 cm Χ 22 cm cross section horizontal
bricks (k = 0.72 W/m °C) separated by 3 cm thick plaster layers (k = 0.22 W/m °C). There are
also 2 cm thick plaster layers on each side of the brick and a 3 cm thick rigid foam (k = 0.026
W/m °C) on the inner side of the wall. The indoor and the outdoor temperatures are 20°C and
- 10°C, and the convection heat transfer coefficients on the inner and the outer sides are h1 =
10 W/m2 °C and h2 = 25 W/m2 °C, respectively. Assuming one-dimensional heat transfer and
disregarding radiation, determine the rate of heat transfer through the wall. (Ans: 263 W)

Q11. A 3 m internal diameter spherical tank made of 2 cm thick stainless steel (k = 15 W/m °C)
is used to store iced water at T∞1 = 0°C. The tank is located in a room whose temperature is T∞2
= 22°C. The walls of the room are also at 22°C. The outer surface of the tank is black and heat
transfer between the outer surface of the tank and the surroundings is by natural convection
and radiation. The convection heat transfer coefficients at the inner and the outer surfaces of
the tank are h1 = 80 W/m2°C and h2 = 10 W/m2 °C, respectively. Determine (a) the rate of heat
transfer to the iced water in the tank and (b) the amount of ice at 0°C that melts during a 24-h
period. (Ans: 8029 W and 2079 kg)

Q12. Steam at T∞1 = 320°C flows in a cast iron pipe (k = 80 W/m °C) whose inner and outer
diameters are D1= 5 cm and D2 = 5.5 cm, respectively. The pipe is covered with 3 cm thick
glass wool insulation with k = 0.05 W/m °C. Heat is lost to the surroundings at T∞2 = 5°C by
natural convection and radiation, with a combined heat transfer coefficient of h2 = 18 W/m2
°C. Taking the heat transfer coefficient inside the pipe to be h1 = 60 W/m2 °C, determine the
rate of heat loss from the steam per unit length of the pipe. Also determine the temperature
drops across the pipe shell and the insulation. (Ans: 121 W, Temp. difference for pipe: 0.02°C,
Temp. difference for insulation: 284°C)

Q13. A 3 mm diameter and 5 m long electric wire is tightly wrapped with a 2 mm thick plastic
cover whose thermal conductivity is k = 0.15 W/m °C. Electrical measurements indicate that a
current of 10 A passes through the wire and there is a voltage drop of 8 V along the wire. If the
insulated wire is exposed to a medium at T∞ = 30°C with a heat transfer coefficient of h = 12
W/m2 °C, determine the temperature at the interface of the wire and the plastic cover in steady
operation. Also determine whether doubling the thickness of the plastic cover will increase or
decrease this interface temperature. (Ans: 105°C and 12.5 mm)

Q14. The interior of a refrigerator having inside dimensions of 0.5 m Χ 0.5 m base area and 1
m height, is to be maintained at 6°C. The walls of the refrigerator are constructed of two mild
steel sheets 3 mm thick (k = 46.5 W/m °C) with 50 mm of glass wool insulation (k = 0.046
W/m °C) between them. If the average heat transfer coefficients at the outer and inner surfaces
are 11.6 W/m2 °C and 14.5 W/m2 °C respectively. Calculate: (i) The rate at which heat must be
removed from the interior to maintain the specified temperature in the kitchen at 25°C, and (ii)
The temperature on the outer surface of the metal sheet. (Ans: 38.2 W, 23.68°C)

Q15. A square plate heater (15 cm Χ 15 cm) is inserted between two slabs. Slab A is 2 cm thick
(k = 50 W/m °C) and slab B is 1 cm thick (k = 0.2 W/m °C). The outside heat transfer
coefficients on side A and side B are 200 W/m2 °C and 50 W/m2 °C respectively. The
temperature of surroundings air is 25°C. If rating of heater is 1 kW, find: (i) Maximum
temperature in the system; (ii) Outer Surface temperature of two slabs. Draw an equivalent
electrical circuit. (Ans: Tmax = 247.8°C, T1 = 231.3°C, T2 = 88.6°C)
Q16. A 150 mm steam pipe has inside diameter of 120 mm and outside diameter of 160 mm.
It is insulated at the outside with asbestos. The steam temperature is 150°C and the air
temperature is 20°C. h (steam side) = 100 W/m2 °C, h (air side) = 30 W/m2 °C, k (asbestos) =
0.8 W/m °C and k (steel) = 42 W/m °C. How thick should the asbestos be provided in order to
limit the heat loses to 2.1 kW/m2? (Ans: r3 = 105 mm, Thickness of insulation = 25 mm)

Q17. A steel pipe is carrying steam at a pressure of 30 bar. Its outside diameter is 90 mm and
is lagged with a layer of material 45 mm thick (k = 0.05 W/m °C). The ambient temperature is
20°C and the surface of the lagging has a heat transfer coefficient of 8.4 W/m2 °C. Neglecting
resistance due to pipe material and due to steam film on the inside of steam pipe, find the
thickness of the lagging (k = 0.07 W/m °C) which must be added to reduce the steam
condensation rate by 50%, if the surface coefficient remains unchanged. (Ans: 2.416 °C/W
per meter length, r3 = 275 mm, thickness of insulation = 185 mm)

Q18. A spherical thin waled metallic container is used to store liquid N2 at -196°C. The
container has a diameter of 0.5 m and is covered with an evacuated reflective insulation
composed of Silica powder. The insulation is 25 mm thick and its outer layer is exposed to air
at 27°C. The convective heat transfer coefficient on outer surface is 20 W/m2°C. Latent heat of
evaporation of N2 = 2 Χ105 J/kg. Density of N2 is 804 kg/m3. k (silica powder) = 0.0017W/m
°C. Find out the rate of heat transfer and rate of N2 boil-off. (Ans: -13.1 W, mN2 = 0.2358
kg/hr)

Q19. Consider a plane wall of thickness L whose thermal conductivity varies linearly in a
specified temperature range as k (T ) = k0(1 +βT ) where k0 and β are constants. The wall
surface at x = 0 is maintained at a constant temperature of T1 while the surface at x = L is
maintained at T2. Assuming steady one-dimensional heat transfer, obtain a relation for (a) the
heat transfer rate through the wall and (b) the temperature distribution T (x) in the wall. (Ans:

Q20. Consider a 2 m high and 0.7 m wide bronze plate whose thickness is 0.1 m. One side of
the plate is maintained at a constant temperature of 600 K while the other side is maintained at
400 K. The thermal conductivity of the bronze plate can be assumed to vary linearly in that
temperature range as k (T ) = k0(1 +βT ) where k = 38 W/m K and β = 9.21 Χ 10-4 K-1.
Disregarding the edge effects and assuming steady one-dimensional heat transfer, determine
the rate of heat conduction through the plate. (Ans: 55.5 W/m K and 155400 W)

Q21. A 2 kW resistance heater wire whose thermal conductivity is k = 15 W/m °C has a

diameter of D = 4 mm and a length of L = 0.5 m, and is used to boil water. If the outer surface
temperature of the resistance wire is Ts = 105°C, determine the temperature at the center of the
wire. (Ans:126°C)

Q22. The rate of heat generation in a slab of thickness 160 mm (k = 180 W/m °C) is 1.2Χ106
W/m3. If the temperature of each of the surface of solid is 120°C. Determine: (i) The temp. at
the mid and quarter planes, (ii) The heat flow rate and temperature gradients at the mid and
quarter planes. (Ans: (i) Mid Plane: 141.33°C, quarter planes:136°C, (ii) Heat flow rate at
mid and quarter Plane: 96000 and 48000 W/m2 and Temp. Gradients at mid and quarter
plane: -533.3°C/m and -266.7 °C/m)

Q23. A current of 300 amperes passes through a stainless-steel wire of 2.5 mm diameter and k
= 20 W/m °C. The resistivity of the wire is 70 Χ 10-8 Ωm and the length of the wire is 2m. If the
wire is submerged in fluid maintained at 50°C and convective heat transfer coefficient at the
wire surface is 4000 W/m2 °C, calculate the steady state temperature at the center and at the
surface of wire. (Ans: Temp. at the Center = 509.5°C and Surface Temp. = 458.44°C)

Q24. A very long rod 5 mm in diameter has one end maintained at 100°C. The surface of the
rod is exposed to ambient air at 25°C with a convection heat transfer coefficient of 100 W/m2
K. (a) Determine the temperature distributions along rods constructed from pure copper, 2024
aluminium alloy, and type AISI 316 stainless steel. What are the corresponding heat losses
from the rods? (b) Estimate how long the rods must be for the assumption of infinite length to
yield an accurate estimate of the heat loss. Data: copper [T = (Tb + T∞)/2 = 62.5°C = 335 K]:
k = 398 W/m K, 2024 aluminium (335 K): k = 180 W/m K, stainless steel, AISI 316 (335
K): k =14 W/m K. (Ans: copper: 8.3 W, 0.19 m, Aluminium: 5.6 W, 0.13 m, Stainless Steel:
1.6 W, 0.04 m)
Q25. An Aluminium pot is used to boil water as shown below. The handle of the pot is 20 cm
long, 3 cm wide, and 0.5 cm thick. The pot is exposed to room air at 25°C, and the convection
coefficient is 5 W/m2 °C. Question: can you touch the handle when the water is boiling? (k for
aluminium is 237 W/m °C). (Ans: 87.3°C, It should not be safe to touch the end of the
handle.)
Q26. Two long rods of the same diameter, one made of brass (k = 85 W/m °C) and the other of
copper (k = 375 W/m °C), have one of their ends inserted into a furnace. At a section 10.5 cm
away from the furnace, the temperature of the brass rod is 120°C. At what distance from the
furnace end, the same temperature would be reached in the copper rod. Boths rods are exposed
in the same environment. (Ans:l2 = 22.05 cm )

Q27. It is required to heat oil to about 300°C for frying purpose. A ladle is used in the frying.
The section of the handle is 5mm Х 18 mm. The surroundings are at 30°C. The conductivity of
the material is 205 W/m °C. If the temperature at a distance of 380 mm from the oil should not
reach 40°C, determine the convective heat transfer coefficient. (Ans: h = 30.17 W/m2°C)

Q28. A motor body is 360 mm in diameter (Outside) and 240 mm long. Its surface temperature
should not exceed 55°C when dissipating 340 W. Longitudinal fins of 15 mm thickness and 40
mm height are proposed. The convection coefficient is 40 W/m2 °C. Determine the number of
fins required. Atmospheric temperature is 30°C. Thermal conductivity is 40 W/m °C.
(Ans:21.77 W, No. of fins required = 16 fins)

Q29. A turbine blade made of stainless steel (k = 29 W/m °C) is 60 mm long, 500 mm2 cross-
sectional area and 120 mm perimeter. The temperature of the root of blade is 480°C and it is
exposed to products of combustion passing through the turbine at 820°C. If the film coefficient
between the blade and the combustion gases is 320 W/m2 °C, determine: (a) The temperature
at the middle of the blade (Ans: 745.54°C), (b) The rate of heat flow from the blade (Ans: -253
W)

Q30. A steel rod (k =32 W/m °C), 12 mm in diameter and 60 mm long, with an insulated end,
is to be used as a spine. It is exposed to surroundings with a temperature of 60°C and a heat
transfer coefficient of 55 W/m2 °C. The temperature at the base of fin is 95°C. Determine: (a)
The fin efficiency (Ans: 62.18%)(b) The temperature at the edge of the spine (Ans: 75.75°C)
(c) The heat dissipation (Ans: 2.7 W)
Q31. A thermocouple junction, which may be approximated by a sphere, is to be used for
temperature measurement in a gas stream. The convection heat transfer coefficient between
the junction surface and the gas is known to be h = 400 W/m2K, and the junction
thermophysical properties are k = 20 W/m K, Cp = 400 J/kg K, and ρ = 8500 kg/m3. Determine
the junction diameter needed for the thermocouple to have a time constant of 1 s. If the junction
is at 25°C and is placed in a gas stream that is at 200°C, how long will it take for the junction
to reach 199°C? (Ans: D = 7.06 Х 10-4 m, 5.2 s)

Q32. A 50 cm Х 50 cm copper slab 6.25 mm thick has a uniform temperature of 300°C. Its
temperature is suddenly lowered to 36°C. Calculate the time required for the plate to reach the
temperature of 108°C. Copper: ρ = 9000 kg/m3; C = 0.38 kJ/kg °C; k = 370 W/m °C and h =
90 W/m2 °C. (Ans: 154.32 s)

Q33. The heat transfer coefficients for the flow of air at 28°C over a 12.5 mm diameter sphere
are measured by observing the temperature-time history of a copper ball of the same dimension.
The temperature of copper ball (c = 0.4 kJ/kg K and ρ = 8850 kg/m3) was measured by two
thermocouples, one located in the center and other near the surface. Both the thermocouples
registered the same temperature at a given instant. In one test the initial temperature of the ball
was 65°C and in 1.15 minute the temperature decreased by 11°C. Calculate the heat transfer
coefficient for this case. (Ans: 37.71 W/m2 K)

Q34. A 15 mm diameter mild steel sphere (k = 42 W/m °C) is exposed to cooling airflow at
20°C resulting in the convective coefficient h = 120 W/m2 °C. Determine the following: (i) Time
required to cool the sphere from 550 °C to 90 °C, (ii) Instantaneous heat transfer rate 2 minutes
after the start of cooling and (iii) Total energy transferred from the sphere during the first 2
minutes. For mild steel take ρ = 7850kg/m3, c = 475 J/kg °C and α = 0.045 m2/h. (Ans: 141.7
s, -8.1 W, -2862.33 J)

Q35. A hot cylinder ingot of 50 mm diameter and 200 mm long is taken out from the furnace at
800°C and dipped in water till its temperature falls to 500°C. Then it is directly exposed to air
till its temperature falls to 100°C. Find the total time required for the ingot to reach the
temperature from 800 to 100°C. Take the following: Thermal conductivity of ingot (k) = 60
W/m °C, c= 200 J/kg °C, ρ = 800 kg/m3, hw = 200 W/m2 °C, ha = 20 W/m2 °C, Temperature of
air or water = 30°C. (Ans: (i) 4.94 s, (ii) 190.6 s, total: 195.54 s)