LEC 6
CONVECTION
• heat flow mechanism in fluids is due to convection.
• convection is the transfer of heat from one point to another point within a fluid by mixing of
hot and cold portions of fluid.
• in convection, the physical mixing of hot and cold portions of a fluid is responsible for flow of
heat from one place to another within the fluid.
• there are 2 types of convection: (1) free/natural convection (2) forced convection
• when the circulating currents arise from the density difference due to temperature differences
within fluid mass, the mode is called free convection.
• examples of natural convection: (1) heating of vessel containing liquid by means of gas flame
situated underneath (2) heating of water using an immersed heating coil
• when the circulating currents are produced by an external agency such as an agitator in a
reaction vessel, pump, fan or blower, the mode of heat transfer is called forced convection.
• examples of forced convection: (1) heat flow to a fluid pumped through a heated pipe
• Higher rates of heat transfer is obtained in forced convection as compared to natural
convection owing to greater magnitude of circulation in forced circulation.
• For conduction we have used Fourier’s law, but in convection we use Q = hA (T2 – T1) … (1)
• this equation is used for calculation of rate of heat transfer by convection under steady state
conditions, where h is called film heat transfer coefficient.
• the value of h depends on properties of fluid within film region, hence it is also called film heat
transfer coefficient
• Heat transfer coefficient (h) is quantity of heat transferred in unit time through unit area at
temperature difference of one degree between surface and surroundings.
• the SI unit of h is W/m2 K
Individual and overall heat transfer coefficient
•
The overall resistance to heat flow from hot fluid to cold fluid is made up of three resistances in
series. They are:
1. Resistance offered by hot fluid film (hot fluid film to solid wall heat transfer – T1 to T2)
2. Resistance offered by metal wall (solid to solid heat transfer – T2 to T3)
3. Resistance offered by cold fluid film (solid wall to cold fluid film heat transfer – T3 to T4)
NOW, right heat transfer rate equations,
1. Q = hi Ai (T1 – T2) , Where hi is inside heat transfer coefficient (HTC). …….(a)
2. Q = kAw (T2 – T3)/ xw where xw is thickness of wall ……(b)
3. Q = ho Ao (T3 – T4) where ho is outside HTC ……(c)
(T1-T2) = Q/hiAi
(T2-T3) = Q/(kAw/xw)
(T3-T4) = Q/hoAo
Now add all 3 equations,
(T1-T4) = Q [ 1/hiAi + 1/(kAw/xw) + 1/ hoAo ] ……(*)
We can write equation like (1) using Overall HTC: Q = Uo Ao (T1-T4)
(T1-T4)= Q/ Uo Ao ….. (**)
Now compare eq (*) and (**),
1/Uo = 1/hi (Ao/Ai) + xw/k (Ao/Aw) + 1/ho
