Fouriers Law, Heat Equation, 1-D steady state conduction

Fluid Mechanics Pierre Ricco

Fouriers Law

Fouriers Law

A rate equation that allows determination of the conduction heat flux from knowledge of the temperature distribution in a medium. Its most general (vector) form for multidimensional conduction is:

q = kT
Fouriers law is phenomenological; it is generalisation based on experimental evidence Fouriers Law serves to define the thermal conductivity of the medium-The medium is assumed to be isotropic, i.e. k is independent of direction. Fouriers law applies for all matter, regardless of its state Fouriers law is a vector expression indicating that : Heat flux is normal to a surface of constant temperature (isothermal surface) and In the direction of decreasing temperature (basis for minus sign)

Heat Flux Components

Heat flux can be resolved into three components

Cartesian Coordinates:

T q x = k x

T qy = -k y

T q z = -k z

T T T q = k Coordinates i k jk : k Cylindrical r r z

= k qr

T r

= -k q

T r

qz

q z = -k

T z

Properties

Thermophysical Properties
the thermal conductivity of solids is much larger than those for liquids and gases ( 4 orders of magnitude larger than that of a gas) due to differences in intermolecular spacing. thermal conductivity varies with temperature (for gases it increases with increasing temperature and decreasing molecular weight, for liquids (nonmetallic) decreases with T with the exception of water and glycerine and for solids decreases with T with a few exceptions)

Thermal Conductivity, k: A measure of a materials ability to transfer thermal energy by conduction.

Thermal Diffusivity, (m2/s): A measure of a materials ability to respond to changes in its thermal environment.

k = c p

ability to conduct thermal energy

volumetric heat capacity =ability to store thermal energy

Heat Equation

The Heat Diffusion Equation

A differential equation whose solution provides the temperature distribution in a stationary medium. Based on applying conservation of energy to a differential control volume through which energy transfer is exclusively by conduction.

At any point in the medium the net rate of energy transfer by conduction into a unit volume plus the volumetric rate of thermal energy generation must equal the rate of change of thermal energy stored within the volume.

T T T T  = c p (k ) + (k ) + (k ) + q x x y z y z t
Net transfer of thermal energy into the control volume (inflow-outflow) Thermal energy generation Change in thermal energy storage

Heat Equation

In compact form:

T  = c p kT + q t
If variation of k with temperature is small:

 1 T q = where t k 2T 2T 2T 2 T= 2 + 2 + 2 x y z 2T +
Special Case: One-Dimensional Conduction in a Planar Medium with Constant Properties and No Generation

2T 1 T = x 2 t

Heat Equation (Radial Systems)

Cylindrical Coordinates:

1 T kr r r r

1 T T + 2 k + k r z z

T + q = c p t

Boundary Conditions

Boundary and Initial Conditions

For transient conduction, heat equation is first order in time, requiring specification of an initial temperature distribution: T(x,0) Since heat equation is second order in space, two boundary conditions must be specified. Some common cases:
Constant Surface Temperature: T(0,t)=Ts Constant Heat Flux:
Applied Flux Insulated Surface

Dirichlet condition

T x

= q s
x =0

T x

=0
x =0

Neumann condition
Convection
T x

= h[T T (0, t )]
x =0

Conduction Analysis

Methodology of a Conduction Analysis

Solve appropriate form of heat equation to obtain the temperature distribution.

Knowing the temperature distribution, apply Fouriers Law to obtain the heat flux at any time, location and direction of interest.

Applications: One-Dimensional, Steady-State Conduction Two-Dimensional, Steady-State Conduction Transient Conduction

Problem: Thermal Response of Plane Wall

Example 1: A plane wall with constant properties and no internal heat generationis initially at temperature Ti. Suddenly the surface at x=L is heated by a fluid to at T having a convection heat transfer coefficient h. The boundary at x=0 is perfectly insulated. FIND: (a) Differential equation and initial and boundary conditions which may be used to find the temperature distribution, T(x,t); (b) Sketch T(x,t) for the following conditions: initial (t 0), steady-state (t ), and two intermediate times; (c) Sketch heat fluxes as a function of time at the two surfaces; (d) Expression for total energy transferred to wall
SCHEMATIC:
per unit

volume

(J/m3).

One-Dimensional, Steady-State Conduction without Thermal Energy Generation

The Plane Wall

Consider a plane wall between two fluids of different temperature:

From heat equation for steady 1-D conduction without heat generation -> T(x) varies linearly with x

Thermal resistance & electrical analogy

Analogy between diffusion of heat and electrical charge exists As electrical resistance is associated with conduction of electricity, a thermal resistance associated with conduction of heat Equivalent thermal circuit for plane wall problem

Composite Wall
Overall heat transfer coefficient U

qx=UAToverall
Total thermal resistance

1 Rtot = UA

Example 2: Assessment of thermal barrier coating (TBC) for protection of turbine blades. Determine maximum blade temperature with and without TBC.

Schematic:

Series Parallel Composite Wall

Circuits based on assumption of isothermal surfaces normal to x direction or adiabatic surfaces parallel to x direction provide approximations q x for qx .

Radial systems-cylindrical wall

Composite cylindrical wall