MMÜ 306 HEAT TRANSFER

Suggested problem set # 2

1) The one dimensional plane wall with constant properties shown in the figure is initially at
uniform temperature Ti. The electrical heater at the bottom surface (x=0) is suddenly turned
on to provide a uniform heat flux of
" . All the boundaries are well insulated.
a) Write the governing equation, boundary and initial conditions that could be used to
determine the temperature for the system as a function of time and space.
b) Sketch the temperature distribution on T-x coordinates (from x=0 to x=L) for the initial
condition (t ≤ 0) and for several later times (two or three more). Will a system reach a
steady-state temperature distribution?
c) Sketch the heat flux
" at x=0, x=L/2, and x=L on
" - t coordinates as a function of
time.
d) When the heater is turned off at the time te, system will eventually reach a unifrom
temperature Tf. Find Tf as a function of parameters
" , te, Ti and system mass M, specific
heat cp, and the electrical heater surface area As.

2) A spherical liquid nitrogen container is subjected to the conditions shown in the figure
(constant temperature on the inner surface T(r1) = - 196 °C and convection on the outer
surface h = 25 W/m2K, T∞ = 20 °C). Where r1 = 2 m, and r2 = 2.1 m.
a) Write the governing equation and the boundary conditions that could be used to find the
temperature distribution in the spherical shell
b) Solve the differential equation you found in part a to find the temperature distribution
as a function of r (thermal conductivity of the tank is given to be k = 18 W/m2K).
c) Calculate the rate of heat transfer through the wall and show its direction.
Ans. -261.2 kW
3) One-dimensional steady state
with uniform internal energy
occurs in a plane as show in
the figure. For the given
conditions, the temperature
distribution has the form,
T(x)=a+bx+cx2. The surface
at x = L is well insulated.

Ans. 10E6 W/m^3

Ans. a=120°C, b=10E4 K/m, c=-10E5 K/m^2

Ans. a=220°C, b=10E4 K/m, c=-10E5 K/m^2

4) An electric cable with an insulating sleeve is shown in the figure (next page). Thermal
energy is generated within the cable when electric current passes through the cable at a
volumetric rate


Ans. 133°C, 122°C, 133.1°C

5) Please see the problem statement below.

Ans. 1.8x10E6 W/m^3

Ans. 1.8x10E5 W/m^2

Ans. 7.77x10E7 J/m^2

6) Consider the temperature distributions associated with a differential control volume within
one-dimensional plane walls shown below.

(a) (b)

a) Steady-state. Is thermal energy being generated in the control volume? If yes, is it

positive or negative?
b) Transient, no energy generation. Is the temperature of the material increasing or
decreasing?