Effective Heat Transfer Coefficient Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ h_e = h_{fp} + \frac{h_r \times h_{fb}}{h_r + h_{fb}} \]

Convective Heat Transfer Coeff of Solar (h_fp):

W/m²·K

Equivalent Radiative Heat Transfer Coefficient (h_r):

W/m²·K

Convective Heat Transfer Coeff of Solar Bottom (h_fb):

W/m²·K

Effective Heat Transfer Coefficient (h_e):

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1. What is Effective Heat Transfer Coefficient?

The effective heat transfer coefficient is defined as the overall heat transfer coefficient between the absorber plate and the air stream in solar thermal systems. It combines both convective and radiative heat transfer mechanisms.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ h_e = h_{fp} + \frac{h_r \times h_{fb}}{h_r + h_{fb}} \]

Where:

\( h_e \) — Effective heat transfer coefficient (W/m²·K)
\( h_{fp} \) — Convective heat transfer coefficient of solar (W/m²·K)
\( h_r \) — Equivalent radiative heat transfer coefficient (W/m²·K)
\( h_{fb} \) — Convective heat transfer coefficient of solar bottom (W/m²·K)

Explanation: This formula calculates the combined heat transfer coefficient by considering both direct convective heat transfer and the combined effect of radiative and bottom convective heat transfer.

3. Importance of Effective Heat Transfer Coefficient

Details: Accurate calculation of effective heat transfer coefficient is crucial for designing efficient solar thermal systems, optimizing heat exchange processes, and predicting thermal performance in various engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all three heat transfer coefficients in W/m²·K. All values must be non-negative. The calculator will compute the effective heat transfer coefficient using the parallel combination formula.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for input values?
A: All input values should be in W/m²·K (Watts per square meter per Kelvin).

Q2: Can this formula be used for other heat transfer applications?
A: While specifically designed for solar thermal systems, the parallel combination approach can be adapted for similar heat transfer scenarios involving multiple heat transfer mechanisms.

Q3: What if the denominator (h_r + h_fb) equals zero?
A: The calculator requires positive values for h_r and h_fb to avoid division by zero. Both coefficients must be greater than zero.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides theoretical values based on the input parameters. Actual performance may vary depending on specific system conditions and environmental factors.

Q5: What are typical ranges for these coefficients?
A: Typical values range from 2-25 W/m²·K for convective coefficients and 5-15 W/m²·K for radiative coefficients, depending on the specific application and conditions.