Heat transfer: Conduction,Convection & radiation

Heat transfer occurs between states of matter which are made up of molecules and atoms whenever a temperature difference exists across a well-defined boundary around a thermodynamic system. Heat transfer is the process of transfer of heat from a high-temperature body to a low-temperature one.

How is Heat Transferred?

Heat can be travel from one place to another in three ways


  • Conduction
  • Convection
  • Radiation



 

Conduction:- 

Conduction is the transfer of energy from one molecule to another by direct contact. This transfer occurs when molecules hit against each other, Conduction takes place in solids, liquids, and gases, but works best in materials that have simple molecules that are located close to each other. For example, metal is a better Heat conductor than wood or plastic.

A common example of conduction is the process of heating a pan on a stove. The heat from the burner transfers directly to the surface of the pan.

Conduction heat transfers can be quantified using Fourier’s Law, which includes the important thermal physical property of thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of a material is an indication of how effectively the material transfers heat.

The thermal conductivities of materials vary widely, thermal conductivity of  Metals> Nonmetals> liquids > gases.

“Fourier’s law of thermal conduction states that the rate of heat transfer through a material is proportional to the negative gradient in the temperature and the area (perpendicular to the gradient) of the surface through which the heat flows.”

The differential form of Fourier’s law can be represented as:

 q = - kT

 where,

  • ∇T is temperature gradient (K. m-1)
  • k is the conductivity of the materials (W. m-1. K-1)
  • q is the heat flux density vector (W. m-2)

 

 Convection:- 

Convection is the movement of heat by a fluid such as water or air. The fluid (liquid or gas) moves from one location to another, transferring heat along with it. When water boils, the heat passes from the burner into the pot, heating the water at the bottom. This hot water rises and cooler water moves down to replace it, causing a circular motion. Air conditioners and refrigerators are also examples of convection.

when a fluid is in contact with a surface at a temperature different from the fluid temperature, conduction will transfer heat from the hot surface to the cold fluid (or from a cold surface to a hot fluid). The motion of the fluid will then transfer the heat within the fluid. Convection is quantified using Newton’s Law of Cooling, which includes the heat transfer coefficient.

The equation for convection can be expressed as:

q = hc A dT                                     

where

q = heat transferred per unit time (W, Btu/hr)

A = heat transfer area of the surface (m2, ft2)

h= convective heat transfer coefficient of the process (W/(m2oC, Btu/(ft2 h oF))

dT = temperature difference between the surface and the bulk fluid (oC, F)

 

Radiation:-

Radiation is the transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves. When you stand in the sun, you are warmed by electromagnetic waves, mainly infrared radiation that travels from the sun to Earth.

Radiative heat transfer is the transfer of energy via Thermal radiation. Thermal radiation is generated by the emission of electromagnetic waves. It occurs across a vacuum or any transparent medium. Thermal radiation is emitted by all objects at temperatures above absolute zero, due to random movements of atoms and molecules in matter. 

Sun, light bulbs, irons, and toasters also transfer heat via radiation. Note that, unlike conduction or convection, heat transfer by radiation does not need any matter to help with the transfer.

Radiation Equation

As temperature rises, the wavelengths in the spectra of the radiation emitted decrease, and shorter wavelengths of radiation are emitted. Thermal radiation can be calculated by the Stefan-Boltzmann law:

P = e ∙ σ ∙ A· (Tr – Tc)4

Where,

  • P is the net power of radiation
  • A is the area of radiation
  • Tr is the radiator temperature
  • Tc is the surrounding temperature
  • e is emissivity and σ is Stefan’s constant

 

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