Computational Fluid Dynamics

Assignment-2
Finite Difference Problems

Question 1
A rod having diameter of 2 cm and a length of 10 cm has one end maintained at 200 oC
and is exposed to convection environment at 25 oC with h = 40 W/m2oC. The rod
generates heat internally at rate of 50 MW/m3 and thermal conductivity is 35 W/m oC.
Calculate temperature of the nodes shown in the Fig. 1 assuming one dimensional heat
flow.

Figure 1

Question 2
Consider the steady state heat conduction in a slab of thickness L (= 0.01 m), in which
energy is generated at a constant rate of 7.2 x 10 7 W/m3. The boundary surface at x = 0
is maintained at a constant temperature To (= 50°C), while the boundary surface at x =
0 dissipates heat by convection with a heat transfer coefficient h (= 200 W/(m2.°C)) into
an ambient at temperature T∞(= 100°C) . Compute the temperature inside the slab (k =
18 W/(m.°C)) at 7 nodes using finite difference method.

Question 3
Consider two-dimensional, steady-state conduction in a square cross section with
prescribed surface temperatures (as shown in Fig. 2). (a) Determine the temperatures
at nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Estimate the midpoint temperature. (b) Reducing the mesh size
by a factor of 2, determine the corresponding nodal temperatures. Compare your results
with those from the coarser grid. (c) From the results for the finer grid, plot the 75, 150,
and 250°C isotherms.

Question 4
A long trapezoidal bar is subjected to uniform temperatures on two surfaces, while the
remaining surfaces are well insulated (as shown in Fig. 3). If the thermal conductivity of
the material is 20 W/m. K, estimate the heat transfer rate per unit length of the bar using
a finite-difference method. Use the Gauss–Seidel method of solution with a space
increment of 10 mm.

1
 Figure 2 Figure 3

Question 5
Consider steady two-dimensional heat transfer in an L-shaped solid body (as shown in
Fig. 4) whose cross section is given in the figure. The thermal conductivity of the body is
k = 45 W/m · °C, and heat is generated in the body at a rate of g· = 5 x 106 W/m3. The
right surface of the body is insulated, and the bottom surface is maintained at a uniform
temperature of 120°C. The entire top surface is subjected to convection with ambient air
at T = 30°C with a heat transfer coefficient of h = 55 W/m2 · °C, and the left surface is
subjected to heat flux at a uniform rate of q = 8000 W/m2. The nodal network of the
problem consists of 13 equally spaced nodes with x = y = 1.5 cm. Five of the nodes
are at the bottom surface and thus their temperatures are known. (a) Obtain the finite
difference equations at the remaining eight nodes and (b) determine the nodal
temperatures by solving those equations.

Question 6
Consider steady two-dimensional heat transfer in a long solid bar whose cross section
is given in the Fig. 5. The measured temperatures at selected points on the outer
surfaces are as shown. The thermal conductivity of the body is k = 20 W/m · °C, and
there is no heat generation. Using the finite difference method with a mesh size of x =
y = 1.0 cm, determine the temperatures at the indicated points in the medium.

Figure 4 Figure 5