Chapter 3

Free convection
(Formulae & Problems)
 Forced Convection – Internal flow – Home work
Air at 2 bar pressure and 60 o C is heated as it flows through a tube of diameter 25 mm at a
velocity of 15 m/s. If the wall temperature is maintained at 100 o C, find the heat transfer per
unit length of the tube. How much would be the bulk temperature increase over one meter
length of the tube..
Given:
Pressure, p = 2 x 105 N/m2 Diameter, D = 0.025 m Length, L = 1 m
Velocity, U = 15 m/s Inlet air temperature, Tmi = 60 oC Wall temp = 100oC
To find: i) Heat transfer rate ( Q ) ii) Rise in bulk temperature (ΔT)
Solution:
Properties of air at 60o C Given pressure is above patm. So ρ and γ varies with pressure.
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3 (Value of Pr, k, Cp will remain same)
γ = 18.97 x 10 m /s
-6 2

Pr = 0.696 γ = γatm x (patm / pgiven) ρ = ( p / RT)

k = 0.02896 W/mK
γ = 9.485 x 10-6 m2/s ρ = 2.092 kg/m3
Re = (UD/γ) = 3.95 x 104
Nu = 94.7
Since Re > 2300, flow is turbulent.
Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / D
Re > 10000 and Pr value is in between 0.6 and 160.
h = 109.7 W/m2K
So, Nu =0.023(Re) (Pr)
0.8 n

The process involved is heating, hence n = 0.4

Forced Convection – Internal flow – Home work

Mass flow rate, m = ρAU

m = 0.015 kg / s

Heat transfer, Q = m Cp ∆T
Q = m Cp (Tmo - Tmi) = 0.015 x 1005 x (Tmo – 60) (Cp for air is 1005 J/kg K)

Heat transfer, Q = hA ∆T = h πDL (Tw-Tm)

Q = 109.7 x π x 0.025 x 1 x (100 – Tm)
Q = 109.7 x π x 0.025 x 1 x (100 – [Tmi + Tmo) /2])
Q = 109.7 x π x 0.025 x 1 x (100 – [60 + Tmo) /2])

Equating the equations for Q and solving for Tmo, we get Tmo = 77.78 oC

Rise in bulk temperature (ΔT) = (Tmo – Tmi)

ΔT = 17.78 oC

Heat transfer, Q = m Cp ∆T = m Cp (Tmo - Tmi)

Q = 268.03 W
Free convection
Free convection – If the fluid motion is produced due to change in density
resulting from temperature gradients, the mode of heat transfer is said to be
free or natural convection.

Examples:
Heating of rooms by use of radiators
Cooling of transmission lines, electric transformers and rectifiers
Wall of air conditioning house, Condenser of some refrigeration units.

The rate of heat transfer is calculated using the general convection law

Q = h A (Tw – T∞)

Where Q = heat transfer rate in Watts

A = Area in m2
Tw = Surface temperature in oC
T∞ = Fluid temperature in oC
 Formula used for Free Convection
1. Film temperature, Tf = (Tw + T∞) / 2,
where Tw– Surface temperature in oC and T∞– Fluid temperature in oC

2. Coefficient of thermal expansion

β = 1/Tf (Tf in K)

3. Nusselt Number, Nu = hL/k,

where h – Heat transfer coefficient, W/m2K
L – Length, m,
k – Thermal conductivity, W/mK

4. Grashof Number for vertical plate, Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2

(HMT Data book, Pg: 134)
where L – Length of the plate,
∆T – (Tw – T∞)
γ – Kinematic viscosity, m2/s,
β – Coefficient of thermal expansion

5. If GrPr value is less than 109, flow is laminar. If GrPr value is greater than 10 9, flow is
turbulent.
i.e., Gr Pr < 109, -> Laminar flow
Gr Pr > 109, -> Turbulent flow
 Formula used for Free Convection
6. For laminar flow (Vertical plate):
Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.59(Gr Pr)0.25
This expression is valid for, 10 4 < Gr Pr < 109 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)

7. For turbulent flow (Vertical plate):

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.10[Gr Pr]0.333 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)

8. Heat transfer (Vertical plate) : Q = h A (Tw – T∞)

9. Grashof Number for Horizontal plate: Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2

where, Lc – Characteristic length = W / 2,
W – Width of the plate (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)

10. For horizontal plate, upper surface heated,

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.54 [Gr Pr]0.25
This expression is valid for, 2 x 104 < Gr Pr < 8 x 106 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.15[Gr Pr]0.333

This expression is valid for, 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)

• For horizontal plate, lower surface heated,

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25
This expression is valid for, 10 5 < Gr Pr < 1011 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)
 Formula used for Free Convection
12. Heat transfer (Horizontal plate), Q = ( hu + hl) x A x (Tw – T∞)
where hu – Upper surface heated, heat transfer coefficient W/m 2K,
hl – Lower surface heated, heat transfer coefficient W/m 2K

13. For horizontal cylinder, Nu = C [Gr Pr ]m (HMT Data book, Pg: 137)
GrDPr C m
10-10 to 10-2 0.675 0.058
10-2 to 102 1.02 0.148
102 to 104 0.85 0.188
104 to 107 0.48 0.25
107 to 1012 0.125 0.333

14. For horizontal cylinder,

Heat transfer, Q = h A (Tw – T∞)
where A = π D L

• For sphere, Nusselt Number, Nu = 2 + 0.43 [Gr Pr]0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 137)
Heat transfer, Q = h x A x (Tw – T∞)
where A = 4 π r2
Formula used for Free Convection
16. Boundary layer thickness
δx = [3.93 x (Pr)-0.5(0.952 + Pr)0.25 x (Gr)-0.25] (HMT Data book, Pg: 134)

17. Maximum velocity,

umax = 0.766 x γ x (0.952 + Pr)-1/2 x [{g β (Tw – T∞)} / γ2]1/2 x χ1/2
Free Convection
1) A vertical plate of 0.75 m height is at 170 o C and is exposed to air at a temperature of 105 oC
and one atmosphere. Calculate:
(i) Mean heat transfer coefficient,
(ii) Rate of heat transfer per unit width of the plate
Given:
Length, L = 0.75 m Wall temperature, Tw = 170o C Fluid temperature, T∞ = 105o C
To find: 1. Heat transfer coefficient, ( h ) 2. Heat transfer ( Q ) per unit width
Solution:
Velocity ( U ) is not given. Coefficient of thermal expansion,
So this is natural convection β = 1/(Tf in K) = 1 / (137.5 + 273) = 2.4 x 10-3 K-1
type problem. Grashof Number,
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2 (HMT Data book, Pg: 134)
Gr = 8.35 x 108
Tf = 137.5o C
Gr Pr = 5.71 x 108
Properties of air at Since Gr Pr < 109, flow is laminar. Gr Pr value is in between
137.5o C ~ 140o C 104 and 109 i.e., 104 < Gr Pr < 109
(HMT Data book, Pg: 33) So Nu = 0.59(Gr Pr)0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
ρ = 0.854 kg/m3
Nu = 91.21
γ = 27.80 x 10-6 m2/s Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
Pr = 0.684 h = 4.24 W/m2K
k = 0.03489 W/mK Q = h A (Tw – T∞ ) = h x LW x (Tw – T∞ ) (Given, W = 1 m)
Heat transfer, Q = 206.8 W
Free Convection
2) A vertical plate of 0.7 m wide and 1.2 m height maintained at a temperature of 90 o C in a
room at 30o C. Calculate the convective heat loss.
Given:
Width, W = 0.7 m Height (or) Length, L = 1.2 m Wall temperature, T w = 90o C Room
temperature, T∞ = 30o C
To find: Convective heat loss ( Q )
Solution:
Velocity ( U ) is not given. Coefficient of thermal expansion,
So this is natural convection β = 1/(Tf in K) = 1 / (60 + 273) = 3 x 10-3 K-1
type problem. Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ Tά) /2 Gr = 8.4 x 109
Tf = 60o C
Gr Pr = 5.9 x 109 Since Gr Pr > 109, flow is turbulent.
So Nu = 0.10(Gr Pr)0.333 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
Properties of air at 60o C
(HMT Data book, Pg: 33) Nu = 179.3
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3
Convective heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
γ = 18.97 x 10-6 m2/s
h = 4.32 W/m2K
Pr = 0.696
k = 0.02896 W/mK Q = h A (Tw – T∞ ) = h x LW x (Tw – T∞ ) = 218.16
Convective heat loss, Q = 218.16 W
 Free Convection
3) A horizontal plate of 800 mm long, 70 mm wide is maintained at a temperature 140 o C in a

large tank of full of water at 60o C. Determine the total heat loss from the plate.
Given:
Horizontal plate length, L = 0.8 m Wide, W = 0.070 m Plate temperature, T w = 140o C
Fluid temperature, T∞ = 60o C
To find: Total heat loss from the plate.

Solution:
For horizontal plate, Lc – Characteristic length =W / 2 = 0.035 m
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞ ) /2
Tf = 100o C Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 134)
Gr = 0.297 x 109
Properties of water at 100oC Gr Pr = 0.518 x 109
(HMT Data book, Pg: 21) Gr Pr value is in between 8 x 106 and 1011
ρ = 961 kg/m3 i.e., 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011
γ = 0.293 x 10-6 m2/s
Pr = 1.740 So, for horizontal plate, upper surface heated,
k = 0.6804 W/mK Nu = 0.15(Gr Pr)0.333 (Pg: 135)

βwater = 0.76 x 10-3 K-1 Nu = 119.66 Heat transfer coefficient for upper surface heated,
(HMT Data book, Pg: 29) hu = Nu k / Lc = 2326.19 W/m2K
Free Convection
For horizontal plate, Lower surface heated,
Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)

Nu = 40.73

Heat transfer coefficient for lower surface heated, h l = Nu k / Lc

hl = 791.79 W/m2K

Total heat transfer, Q = ( hu + hl ) A ∆T

= ( hu + hl ) x LW x (Tw – T∞ )

Q = 13968.55 W

Total heal loss, Q = 13,968.55 W

 Free Convection
4) Air flows through a long rectangular 300 mm height x 800 mm width air-conditioning duct,
the outer duct surface temperature is at 20 o C. If the duct is uninsulated and exposed to air at
40oC. Calculate the heat gained by the duct, assuming duct to be horizontal.
Given:
Length ( or ) Height, L = 0.3 m Width, W = 0.8 m Surface temperature, T w = 20o C
Fluid temperature, T∞ = 40o C
To find: Rate of heat gained (Q)

Solution:
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞ ) /2 Since the duct is laid horizontally, the heat gain is by free
convection from the vertical and the horizontal top and
Tf = 30o C
bottom sides.
Properties of air at 30o C
(HMT Data book, Pg: 33) Free convection from the vertical sides:
ρ = 1.165 kg/m3 Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2
γ = 16 x 10-6 m2/s Gr = 6.8 x 107
Pr = 0.701 Gr Pr = 4.7 x 107
k = 0.02675 W/mK Since Gr Pr < 109 , flow is laminar.
Gr Pr value is in between 104 and 109 i.e., 104 < Gr Pr < 109
β = 1/(Tf in K)
So, Nu = 0.59 (Gr Pr)0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
β = 3.3 x 10-3 K-1 Nu = 48.85
Free Convection
Average heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
hv = 4.35 W/m2K
Heat transfer from vertical side, Qv = hv A (T∞ – Tw) = h x LW x (T∞ – Tw) = 20.88 W
Heat transfer from both side of vertical sides, Q v = 2 x Qv = 41.76 W
Heat transfer from horizontal sides:
For horizontal plate, Characteristic length, L c =W / 2 = 0.4
Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2
Gr = 1.6 x 108
Gr Pr = 1.13 x 108
For horizontal plate, upper surface heated, 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011 .
Nu = 0.15[Gr Pr]0.333 = 72.17
Heat transfer coefficient for upper surface heated, h hu = Nu k / Lc = 4.82 W/m2K

For horizontal plate, lower surface heated, 105 < Gr Pr < 1011
Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25 = 27.8
Heat transfer coefficient for lower surface heated, h hl = Nu k / Lc = 1.85 W/m2K
Heat transfer from horizontal plate, QH = ( hu + hl ) A ∆T = ( hu + hl ) x LW x (T∞ – Tw) = 32.05 W
Total heat transfer, Q = {Heat transfer from vertical sides} + {Heat transfer from horizontal sides}
Q = 73.8 W
Free Convection
5) A horizontal wire of 3 mm diameter is maintained at 100 o C and is exposed to air at 20o C.
Calculate the following:
1. Heat transfer coefficient,
2. Maximum current. Take resistance of wire is 7 ohm/m.
Given:
Horizontal wire diameter, D = 3 x 10-3 m Surface temperature, Tw = 100o C
Air temperature, T∞ = 20o C Resistance of the wire, R = 7 ohm/m
To find: 1. Heat transfer coefficient (h), 2. Maximum current (I).

Solution:
Grashoff Number, Gr = (g x β x D3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 134)
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Gr = 176.64
Tf = 60o C
For horizontal cylinder, Nu = C [Gr Pr]m (Pg: 137)
Properties of air at 60o C Gr Pr = 122.9, Corresponding C =0.85 and m = 0.188
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3 Nu = 2.1
γ = 18.97 x 10-6 m2/s
Pr = 0.696 Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / D
k = 0.02896 W/mK h = 20.27 W/m2K
Heat transfer, Q = h A (Tw – Tα) =h x π DL x (Tw – T∞ ) = 15.2W/m
β = 1/(Tf in K) Heat transfer, Q = I2R
β = 3 x 10-3 K-1 Maximum current, I = (Q/R)1/2 = 1.47 Amps / m
Free Convection
6) A Sphere of diameter 20 mm is at 300o C is immersed in air at 25o C. Calculate the convective
heat loss.
Given:
Diameter of sphere, D = 0.020 m Surface temperature, T w = 300o C Fluid temp, T∞ = 25o C

To find: Convective heat loss, ( Q )

Solution:
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x D3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 134)
Tf = 162.5o C Gr = 54,734.2
Gr Pr = 37,328.7
Properties of air at
162.5o C ~ 160o C For sphere, [ 1 < Gr Pr < 105]
ρ = 0.815 kg/m3 Nu = 2 +0.43 [Gr Pr]0.25 (Pg: 137)
γ = 30.09 x 10-6 m2/s
Nu = 7.97
Pr = 0.682
k = 0.03640 W/mK Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / D
h = 14.51 W/m2K
β = 1/(Tf in K)
β = 2.29 x 10-3 K-1 Heat transfer, Q =h A (Tw – T∞) =h x 4 π r2 x (Tw – T∞)
Convective heat loss, Q = 5.01 W
 HOME WORK
A vertical plate of 40 cm long is maintained at 80 oC and is exposed to air at 22 oC. Calculate
the following
i) Boundary layer thickness at the tailing edge of the plate.
ii) The same plate is placed in a wind tunnel and is blown over it at a velocity of 5 m/s.
Calculate the boundary layer thickness.
iii) Average heat transfer coefficient for natural and forced convection for above
mentioned data.

A horizontal pipe of 15 cm diameter is maintained at wall temperature of 200 oC and is

exposed to air at 37 oC. Calculate the heat loss (including radiative loss) per meter length if
emissivity of pipe is 0.92.