Chapter Two

THE EQUATIONS OF HEAT

CONDUCTIONS

2.1 One-Dimensional Heat Conduction Equation

2.2 Boundary Conditions

2-3 Mathematical Formulation of Some Heat

Transfer Problems

Problems
This chapter is concerned with derivation of
the basic equations and the appropriate
boundary conditions that govern the
temperature distribution in solids.
We develop the one-dimensional unsteady
heat conduction equation in rectangular,
cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems
along with their appropriate boundary
conditions.
2.1 One-Dimensional Heat Conduction Equation
Consider a solid whose temperature T(x,t)
depends on time and varies in only one direction,
say, along the x coordinate. The x axis in the
rectangular system refers to the usual x axis, but
in the cylindrical or the spherical coordinate
system it refers to the radial coordinate r. The
heat flow by conduction in the x-direction is given
by the Fourier law
For generality in the analysis, an external
volumetric heat source g(x,t), in W/m
3
, generated
within the medium is considered.

x
T
kA Q
(2-1)
To derive the conduction equation, we consider a
volume element of thickness x and area A normal to
the x axis as illustrated in Fig. 2.1. Applying the
general energy balance equation on this solid element
of constant volume, one obtains:

0
x
Heat flow
In, Q
x
x x+
x
Heat flow out,
Q
x+x
Q
x+x
Energy source, (Ax)g
( ) ) 1 2 (
. . .
+
dt
dE
E E E
st
g out in

,
_

,
_

,
_

energy ernal
of increase of Rate
generation
energy of Rate
conduction by gain
heat of rate Net
int
t
T
x A C
t
U
xg A Q Q
x x x

+
+
) ( ) (
The above energy equation can now be arranged in the form
t
T
A C Ag
x
Q Q
p
x x x

) (
0 x As
x
Q
x
Q Q
x x x

+
) (
t
T
C g
x
Q
A
p

1
(2-2)
(2-3)
(2-4)
t
T
C g
x
T
Ak
x A
p

,
_

1
Introducing Q given by Eq.(2.1) into the above equation,
we obtain the one- dimensional conduction equation in
the general form
2-1.1 Rectangular Coordinate
The area A =const., then conduction equation becomes
t
T
C x g
x
T
k
x
p

) ( ) (
2-1.2 Cylindrical Coordinate
The variable x is replaced by the radial variable r, and A=2rl r.
Then the general one-dimensional conduction equation in the
cylindrical coordinate takes the form
t
T
C r g
r
T
kr
r r
p

) ( ) (
1
(2-5)
(2-6)
(2-7)
2-1.3 Spherical Coordinate
The variable x is replaced by the radial variable r, and the area
A=4 r
2
, the one-dimensional conduction equation for the spherical
coordinate becomes
A General Compact One-Dimensional Conduction Equation
t
T
C r g
r
T
kr
r r
p

) ( ) (
1
2
2
t
T
C r g
r
T
kr
r r
p
n
n

) ( ) (
1

'

coordinate spherical for n

coordinate l cylindrica for n
x by replaced is r and coordinate gular rec for n
2
1
, tan 0
(2-8)
(2-9)
2-1.5 Special Cases
For constant k and C
p ,
Eq.(2-9) can be simplified to
= thermal diffusivity of material, m
2
/s.
Thermal Diffusivity
The physical meaning of thermal diffusivity is
associated with the propagation of heat into the
medium during changes of temperature with time.
The higher the thermal diffusivity, the faster the
propagation of heat will be through the medium
and consequently the shorter the time is to reach
the steady state condition.
t
T
k
r g
r
T
r
r
r
n
n

1 ) (
) (
1
P
C
k

(2-10)
2.2 Boundary Conditions
To solve the one-dimensional, time-dependent heat
conduction equation, two boundary conditions are
needed in addition to the initial condition.
Types of Thermal Boundary Conditions:
a- Prescribed Temperature boundary condition:
The mathematical formulation of this type of boundary
condition can be written as:
T(x,t) = T
1
at x=0, t > 0 (2.14a)
T(x,t) = T
2
at x=L, t > 0 (2.14b)
0
L
x
T = T
1
T = T
2
b- Prescribed Heat Flux Boundary Condition
0
L
x
0
a b
r
Heat Supply
Conduction
Flux
Conduction
Flux
Heat
Supply
Conduction
Flux
Conduction
Flux
Heat
Supply
q
o
= -k
r
r r T
k q

) (
1
1
r
r r T
k q

) (
2
2
L
q
x
L x T
k

) (
x
x T

) 0 (
0
q
x
T
k

L
q
x
T
k

at x=0, t>0
at x=L, t>0
c- Convection Boundary Conditions
The general thermal boundary condition can be stated as:
0
L
x
0
r
1
r
2
r
Fluid at
T
1
,h
1
Fluid at
T
2
,h
2
Q
conv.
= Q
cond.
Q
cond.
= Q
conv.

Q
conv.
= Q
cond.
Q
cond.
= Q
conv.

Fluid at
T
2
,h
2
Fluid at
T
1
,h
1
a- Plate b- Hollow cylinder or
sphere

,
_

,
_

plate the o x at
surface the from Conduction
x at surface the to T
at fluid from Convection
int 0 0
1
x
T
k T T h

) (
1 1
x
T
k T T h

) (
2 2
at x=0
at x=L
Thermal and geometric symmetry
If the solid body has a thermal and geometric symmetry
about a common symmetric axis
Thermal boundary conditions of symmetric slab
Consider a plane wall of thickness 2L initially at a temperature T
i
and
for times t>0 is subjected to convection at the boundaries x=0 and x=2L as
shown in Fig. (2.6). The environment has a temperature T

and a
convection coefficient h at both boundary surfaces. The thermal boundary
conditions at boundary surfaces become
0

r
T
at the symmetry axis.
0

x
T
0 ) ( +

T T h
x
T
k
L L
x
-x
0
Thermal
&Geometric
Symmetry plane
Fluid
T

,h
Fluid
T

,h
at x=0
at x=L