Heat Transfer By Convection

Engr. Aki Espaldon

Department of Chemical Engineering
Ruano Drive, Faculty of Engineering
University of Santo Tomas

Heat Transfer via Convection

Energy transfer by random molecular motion (as in conduction)
plus bulk (macroscopic) motion of the fluid.
Convection: transport by random motion of molecules and by
bulk motion of fluid.
Advection: transport due solely to bulk fluid motion.
Forced convection: Caused by external means, (fans and blowers)
Natural (free) convection: flow induced by buoyancy forces,
arising from density differences arising from temperature variations
in the fluid
The above cases involve sensible heat (internal energy) of the fluid
Latent heat exchange is associated with phase changes boiling
and condensation.

Dimensionless numbers in Heat Transfer

Reynolds
Number

D .v. inertial forces v

Dv
N Re

viscous forces

D
where D characteristic length
v average fluid velocity

fluid density
fluid viscosity

Nusselt
Number

h.D convective heat transfer

h

k
conductive heat transfer k
D
where D characteristic length
k thermal conductivity
h convective heat transfer coefficient

N Nu

Dimensionless numbers in Heat Transfer

Prandtl
Number

N Pr

C p .

viscous diffusion rate momentum diffusivity

k
thermal diffusion rate
thermal diffusivity

Cp

k
Cp

where

absolute viscosity
kinematic viscosity
k thermal conductivity
C p heat capacity
density
thermal diffusivity

Dimensionless numbers in Heat Transfer

Grashof
Number

N Gr

g . .T .L3 . 2

g TL2 2

buoyant force
viscous force

L
where L characteristic length
volumetric thermal expansion coefficient
T temperature difference between hot
surface and bulk fluid
g gravitational acceleration
fluid density
fluid viscosity

Dimensionless numbers in Heat Transfer

Rayleigh
Number

N Ra N Gr .N Pr
when
N Ra critical value
~ or critical value
critical value

heat transfer primarily conduction

heat transfer due to both conduction
and convection
heat transfer primarily convection

Natural Convection

Natural Convection

Forced Convection, Heat Transfer Inside

Pipes

Forced Convection, Heat Transfer Inside

Pipes

Forced Convection, Heat Transfer Inside

Pipes

Forced Convection, Heat Transfer Inside

Pipes

Double-Pipe Heat Exchanger

Log-Mean Temperature Difference

The temperature difference between the bulk fluid and the

surface of the steel pipe or insulation varies
Double Pipe Heat Exchanger

Utility Fluid
(i.e.cooling water or steam)
- Annulus

Process fluid
(i.e. Steam or
product such as milk)

Log-Mean Temperature Difference

TLM

T2 T1

T2

ln
T1

References
-

Transport Phenomena, Bird, Lightfoot, Stewart

Transport Processes and Separation Processes Principles, Christie
Geankoplis
Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering, McCabe, Smith, Harriot
Some slides from Prof. Morrison, Michigan Tech University
Some compiled slides/ notes from Engr. Andrew Tengkiat
Some compiled slides/ notes from Engr. AndrewAlberto Laurito