Fourier number

In physics and engineering, the Fourier number (Fo)

or Fourier modulus, named after Joseph Fourier, is a
dimensionless number that characterizes heat conduction.
Together with the Biot number, it characterizes transient
conduction problems. Conceptually, it is the ratio of
diusive/conductive transport rate by the quantity storage rate and arises from non-dimensionalization of the
heat equation. The transported quantity is usually either
heat or matter (particles).

time parameter. If the Biot number is less than 0.1, then

the entire system can be treated at uniform temperature.
The following equation derived from the Biot and Fourier
numbers can be used to nd the time, where T 0 is the
initial temperature and T is the temperature of the object
at time t.

t=

The general Fourier number is dened as:

Fo =

2 References

diusive transport rate

storage rate

Incropera, Frank P.; DeWitt, David P. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (5th Edition ed.).
Wiley.

The thermal Fourier number is dened by the conduction

rate to the rate of thermal energy storage.

Foh =

cp V
T0 T
ln
hA
T T

t
L2

3 See also
Biot number

where:

Convection

is the thermal diusivity [m2 /s]

Heat conduction

t is the characteristic time [s]

Heat equation

L is the length through which conduction occurs [m]

Molecular diusion
For transient mass transfer by diusion, there is an analogous mass Fourier Number (also denoted Fo) dened
as:

Fom =

Residence time

Dt
L2

where:
D is the Diusivity (m2 /s)
t is the characteristic timescale (s)
L is the length scale of interest (m)

Using Fourier number

Together with the Biot number, the Fourier number can

be used to solve unsteady state conduction problems. The
Fourier number is frequently used as a nondimensional
1

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