ChE 312 Heat Transfer and its applications

Instructor: Raj Pala, 304, Northern Lab-II; Landline-6143

rpala@iitk.ac.in

Pre-requisite: ChE 211

Course contents:Introduction to modes of heat transfer; Rate law & Conservation Law;
Heat conduction: Fourier law, thermal conductivity in gases, liquids and solids and their
estimation; Radiation: thermal radiation, radiation properties, view factors, heat exchange
between surfaces; Generalized energy equation and simplifications, nondimensional
analysis; Conduction equation; steady-state conduction in stagnant fluids and solids, fins,
definition of heat transfer coefficients; Unsteady heat conduction in stagnant fluids and
solids. Heisler charts, numerical solution and Matlab, etc.; Convective heat transfer
(laminar): heat transfer in ducts, flat plate, falling film, natural convection, correlations;
Convective heat transfer (turbulent): heat transfer in ducts, flat plate and correlations,
momentum-heat transfer analogies; Boiling: pool and convective boiling, correlations;
Condensation: film-wise and drop-wise condensation, correlations; Heat exchanger
design: Shell-and-tube, compact exchangers, reboiler, and condenser; Evaporators: type
of equipment, single and multiple effect evaporators.

Course objectives & outcomes:

To prepare the student in both the fundamentals and applied aspect of heat transfer
including the design of heat transfer equipments. Heat transfer has not only been
important in traditional chemical process engineering but is becoming increasingly
important in modeling climate change, global warming, solar energy conversion,
materials processing, biological systems and in analyzing issues like why do some
Lithium-ion-batteries burst into flames!

Text Book:

“Heat and Mass Transfer: by F. P. Incropera, D. P. Dewitt, T. L. Bergman and A. S.

Lavine (7th Edition, International Student Version, Wiley); It is recommended that this
book be purchased as we will aim to cover as much as is possible from this book and
home work problems will be assigned from this book. Few copies of the text will be
placed in the reserve section of the library. I will cover some material from other sources
and in such instances, I will provide additional reference or distribute handouts by email.

Homework: There will be home-work assigned but they will not be graded. Solutions
will be sent via email.
Grading: There will be four announced quizzes, a mid-sem and an end-sem exam. Three
best scores from the quizzes will be utilized for allocating 30% of the marks; Quizzes
will be held outside of class lecture hours. Mid-sem and end-sem exam will contribute to
20% and 30% respectively. Class-participation (which is not just attendance, but will also
involve answering & asking questions) will amount to 10% and will also be utilized,
especially, in deciding border-line grades. There will be an end-term project which will
amount to 10% of the grade. While I do not try to stick to a particular pattern in grade
allocation, I have often observed that in the classes I teach, about 10% students get A,
60% get B or C, 20% get D & 10% get F grade. This is just to give an indication that it is
best that you do not assume that there will not be “F” grades in ChE 312. In addition, I
see a clear correlation between good (bad) grades & good (bad) attendance record.

Rules of engagement: I put a lot of effort into teaching as I feel it is an enriching

experience to both students and the instructor. All courses are part of a professional
degree and I expect professional behavior in the class. I strongly discourage you using
cell-phone in the class.

Channels for communication: Feel-free to get in touch with me in person or via the
landline or via email. Office-hours can be arranged based on the individual needs of the
students. In addition to announcements in the class, many announcements will be
communicated via email and hence, it is important you have space in your inbox and
check your emails regularly.

I am excited to teach this course and I hope you will be excited learning its contents!