PROBLEM3.

71
KNOWN: Spherical tank of 1-m diameter containing an exothermic reaction and is at 200C when
the ambient air is at 25C. Convection coefficient on outer surface is 20 W/m
2
K.
FIND: Determine the thickness of urethane foam required to reduce the exterior temperature to 40C.
Determine the percentage reduction in the heat rate achieved using the insulation.
SCHEMATIC:
T
oo
T
o
T
q
t
R
cv
R
Ambient air
T = 25 C
o
oo
Insulation, k = 0.026 W/m-K
Tank, T = 200 , r = 0.5 m
t t
o
C
T = 4
o
0 C
o
h = 20 W/m -K
2
t = r - r
ins o t
r
ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Steady-state conditions, (2) One-dimensional, radial (spherical) conduction
through the insulation, (3) Convection coefficient is the same for bare and insulated exterior surface,
and (4) Negligible radiation exchange between the insulation outer surface and the ambient
surroundings, (5) Negligible contact resistances.
PROPERTIES: Table A-3, urethane, rigid foam (300 K): k = 0.026 W/mK.
ANALYSIS: (a) The heat transfer situation for the heat rate from the tank can be represented by the
thermal circuit shown above. The heat rate from the tank is
t
cd cv
T T
q
R R

=
+
where the thermal resistances associated with conduction within the insulation (Eq. 3.41) and
convection for the exterior surface, respectively, are
( ) ( ) ( )
t o o o
cd
1/ r 1/ r 1/ 0.5 1/ r 1/ 0.5 1/ r
R K/ W
4 k 4 0.026 W/ m K 0.3267 t t

= = =

3 2
cv o
2 2 2
s
o o
1 1 1
R 3.979 10 r K/ W
hA
4 hr 4 20 W/ m K r t t

= = = =

To determine the required insulation thickness so that T
o
= 40C, perform an energy balance on the o-
node.
t o o
cd cv
T T T T
0
R R

+ =
( )
( )
( )
3 2
o
o
200 40 K 25 40 K
0
1/ 0.5 1/ r / 0.3267 K/ W
3.979 10 r K/ W

+ =

( )
o o i
r 0.5135 m t r r 0.5135 0.5000 m 13.5 mm = = = =
<
From the rate equation, for the bare and insulated surfaces, respectively,
( )
t
o
2
t
200 25 K
T T
q 10.99 kW
0.01592 K/ W
1/ 4 hr t

= = =
( )
( )
t
ins
cd cv
200 25 T T
q 0.994 kW
R R 0.161 0.01592 K/ W

= = =
+ +
Hence, the percentage reduction in heat loss achieved with the insulation is,
ins o
o
q q 0.994 10.99
100 100 91%
q 10.99

= = <
COMMENTS: (1) Contact resistances will reduce the required insulation thickness. (2) Radiation
may be shown to be negligible by considering the case of c = 1.