Fourier Number Using Thermal Conductivity Calculator

Fourier Number Formula:

\[ Fo = \frac{k \cdot \tau_c}{\rho_B \cdot c \cdot s^2} \]

Thermal Conductivity (k):

W/m·K

Characteristic Time (τc):

Density of Body (ρB):

kg/m³

Specific Heat Capacity (c):

J/kg·K

Characteristic Dimension (s):

Fourier Number (Fo):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Fourier Number?

The Fourier Number (Fo) is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of diffusive or conductive transport rate to the quantity storage rate, where the quantity may be either heat or matter. It's a fundamental parameter in heat transfer analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Fourier Number formula:

\[ Fo = \frac{k \cdot \tau_c}{\rho_B \cdot c \cdot s^2} \]

Where:

\( k \) — Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K)
\( \tau_c \) — Characteristic Time (s)
\( \rho_B \) — Density of Body (kg/m³)
\( c \) — Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg·K)
\( s \) — Characteristic Dimension (m)

Explanation: The Fourier Number characterizes the relative importance of heat conduction to heat storage in transient heat conduction problems.

3. Importance of Fourier Number

Details: Fourier Number is crucial in analyzing transient heat conduction problems, determining the time required for a body to reach a certain temperature, and designing thermal systems with time-dependent temperature fields.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all parameters in their respective SI units. Ensure all values are positive and non-zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high Fourier Number indicate?
A: A high Fourier Number indicates that heat conduction is dominant over heat storage in the system.

Q2: What are typical values of Fourier Number?
A: Fourier Number values typically range from 0.001 to 100, depending on the specific thermal system and time scale.

Q3: How is Fourier Number related to Biot Number?
A: While Fourier Number relates conduction to storage, Biot Number relates internal conduction resistance to external convection resistance.

Q4: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: The formula assumes constant thermal properties and homogeneous materials. It may not be accurate for materials with temperature-dependent properties.

Q5: Can Fourier Number be used for mass transfer?
A: Yes, Fourier Number can be adapted for mass transfer problems by replacing thermal diffusivity with mass diffusivity.