Lecture 13 – February 2, 2004

Reminder of Quiz in the tutorial session tomorrow

We have completed chapters 1-3.

Today Chapter 4 -- 2D Conduction

There are 3 basic methods of solving a heat transfer

problem
• Analytical
o Solve the governing Equations to arrive at a
mathematical expression for the temperature
o Graphical Method Æ Conduction Shape Factor
• Experimental
o Build it, instrument it and measure T
• Numerical
o Solve for T at discrete locations by using
conservation of energy
o Finite Volume
o Finite Difference
o Finite Element

Governing Equation Æ Conservation of Energy

• 2D
• Steady

To arrive at an analytic solution, also assume that

 • k is constant
• no generation

This is the famous Laplace equation which

applies to many physical systems, and relates to
conservation, as we have seen in the case of heat
energy. You have also seen this in Fluid
Mechanics where conservation of mass leads to
the Laplace equation for the stream function.

Graphical Solution Method

Build up a diagram of correctly drawn isotherms
(temperature contour lines) and adiabats (lines
through which there is no heat transfer).

Begin by drawing temperature contours with

equal increments in temperature. Make sure
temperature contours intersect adiabatic
boundaries at 90o.
Next draw adiabats perpendicular to each contour
line.
As the area for heat transfer increases, the
spacing between the temperature contours should
increase to keep a constant heat rate, qi flowing
through each heat lane.
If the diagram is constructed such that each qi is
equal, then q = Mqi.

Theflux is everywhere given by Fourier’s Law

Since

While this may be quite approximate, the process

of drawing the diagram forces you to think of the
physics, and to have a good feel for your
problem. This is invaluable.

Conduction Shape Factor.

If we simply write that the heat transfer

we can calculate the flux for a variety of shapes

and tabulate representative values of Sk. These
are called conduction shape factors.
• Sk can come from numerical solutions
o Why not solve your exact problem
then?
• Sk can come from Analytic Solutions
 o Quite limited in Boundary
conditions

2D Conduction – Simple numerical solution

Let’s examine a 2D conduction problem with constant

conductivity, no generation and use a uniform grid to solve
it.
Lets apply conservation of energy to a general control
volume inside our domain.

With these simplifications, conservation of energy simply

says what comes in, goes out.

Now lets evaluate each flux according to the local gradients

If the grid spacing is uniform then this simplifies greatly,

We can easily use a tool like excel to solve this simplified

case. When we generalize, and add generation and energy
storage, and more complicated boundary conditions, then
we will need to use a more sophisticated package like
MATLAB, or even Fluent.