THEORY

When analyzing convection heat transfer coefficients, three dimension-less values must be
acquired. To determine what numerous constants are the initial conditions must be known so
tables can be utilized.

Nusselt Number:

= 1

Prandtl Number:

= , 2

Grashoff Number:

2 2 ()
= 3
2

Reynolds number, for internal flow, is obtained by the following equation:

= 4

These equations are crucial to calculate to determine what type of flow exists in the system. In
order to use the correct heat transfer equation the type of flow must be known to be laminar or
turbulent.

Types of Convection observed-

Forced convection occurs when the fluid flows across the boundary of an object, with the
movement caused by external forces. Heat transfer coefficient for the forced convection depends
on the relationship between Nusselt number, Prandtl number and the Grashoff number acquired
for free convection. The relationship is expressed in the following equation:

= ( ) = 5

Free convection occurs when the fluid is allowed to flow by means of buoyancy forces. This
convection method occurs when the temperature differences exist between the two ends of the air.
When the end part touching the hot object contacts the object, the fluid becomes warmer and less
dense. The air moves up and the colder air moves in to replace the warmer air. The combination
of the variables in order to obtain the heat transfer coefficient for the free convection process is:

= ( ) 6

Heat transfer in condensation, because a phase change is involved, requires complex analysis.
Condensation takes place when vapor is cooled down. Once this occurs, heat is transferred in a
fundamentally different manner than when heat is added or taken away from a fluid without such
phase change. When vapor is condensed, it lets go of considerable amounts of energy. The
condensed fluid becomes a barrier, in the form of a liquid film which either completely or partially
covers the cooler surface. If the drainage of the fluid is done from vertical or inclined surface, the
drainage will be naturally faster than a horizontal surface. The film will be thinner. If the vertical
height is great, the accumulation of condensate fluid at the lower portion of the surface will thicken
the film and make the lower portion less effective than the upper transmitting heat.

In order to acquire an even more accurate result, the heat transfer that occurs when heat is released
during the condensation of the vapor must also be taken into account. This value can be easily
calculated by obtaining the latent heat of vaporization value. Nevertheless, as the condensate is
cooled below Tsat, the equation must be modified to:

h*fg h fg 0.68C pl (Tsat Ts ) 7

Setting up all equations together, the combination of the rate of heat transfer and the heat transfer
coefficient formulas, the following equation is obtained.

.
Qconden hAs (Tsat Ts ) mh*fg 8

Once every value has been obtained, the heat transfer coefficient for the free and forced
convection heat transfer processes can be obtained.
The theoretical value for the free convection is expressed as:

.25
k 3 2 h fg
h C 9
Do T

The theoretical value for the forced convection is expressed as:

.8
k VDi
hC Pr
.4
10
Di

In order to determine the heat transferred amount, two equations are needed. The equations will
take into account the gains and losses in the system. The first equation needed is the heat
transferred from the steam, which is expressed as follows:

QSteam VSteam h fg 11

The second equation needed is the heat transfer that occurs in the water. The equation is
expressed in the following manner:

QWater WWater Cp TWater 12

Therefore, in order to acquire the total amount of heat transferred, the two equations must be
combined. The total amount of heat transferred is expressed in the following manner:

QLosses QSteam QWater 13

In order to find the heat transfer coefficient, the transfer heat amount must be obtained. Further,
the resistance must be taken into account. The resistance value will give us the rate at which the
heat is being transferred, which will symbolize the overall heat transfer coefficient.

Heat Flow Through a pipe

Forced convection

.8 .4
= ( ) () 14

Natural Convection

3 2
= [( )( )] 15
2

Condensing Steam

3 2 .25
= [ ] 16