Module: Heat exchangers Echahid Hamma Lakhdar University - El Oued

Teacher: Bouafia Abderrhmane Faculty of Technology

University season: 2023/2024 Level: 1st master's degree in chemical engineering

SERIES N°3

PROBLEM 1:
A thermocouple junction, which may be approximated as a sphere, is to be used for temperature measurement in
a gas stream. The convection coefficient between the junction surface and the gas is h=400 W/m2. K, and the
junction thermophysical properties are k = 20 W/m. K, c = 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?

PROBLEM 2:
For each of the following cases, determine an appropriate characteristic length Lc and the corresponding Biot
number Bi that is associated with the transient thermal response of the solid object. State whether the lumped
capacitance approximation is valid. If temperature information is not provided, evaluate properties at T = 300 K.

(b) A long, hot AISI 304 stainless steel bar of rectangular cross section has dimensions w= 3 mm, W = 5 mm, and
L= 100 mm. The bar is subjected to a coolant that provides a heat transfer coefficient of h= 15 W/m 2. K at all
exposed surfaces.

(d) An L = 300 mm Long solid stainless steel rod of diameter D = 13 mm and mass M= 0.328 kg is exposed to a
convection coefficient of h = 30 W/m2. K.

PROBLEM 3:
Steel balls 12 mm in diameter are annealed by heating to 1150 K and then slowly cooling to 400 K in an air
environment for which T∞= 325 K and h= 20 W/m2. K. Assuming the properties of the steel to be k= 40 W/m. K,
ρ= 7800 kg/m3, and cp = 600 J/kg. K, estimate the time required for the cooling process.

PROBLEM 4:
The heat transfer coefficient for air flowing over a sphere is to be determined by observing the temperature-time
history of a sphere fabricated from pure copper. The sphere, which is 12.7 mm in diameter, is at 66°C before it is
inserted into an airstream having a temperature of 27°C. A thermocouple on the outer surface of the sphere indicates
55°C 69 s after the sphere is inserted into the airstream. Assume and then justify that the sphere behaves as a
spacewise isothermal object and calculate the heat transfer coefficient.