Heat Transfer Takes Place From Outside Surface To Inside Surface Of Tube Calculator

Heat Transfer Formula:

\[ q = \frac{k \times SA \times (T2 - T3)}{x} \]

Thermal Conductivity (k):

W/m·K

Surface Area (SA):

m²

Outside Surface Temperature (T2):

Inside Surface Temperature (T3):

Tube Thickness (x):

Heat Transfer (q):

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1. What Is The Heat Transfer Formula?

The heat transfer formula calculates the rate of heat transfer through a material using thermal conductivity, surface area, temperature difference, and material thickness. This equation is fundamental in thermal engineering and heat transfer analysis.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the heat transfer equation:

\[ q = \frac{k \times SA \times (T2 - T3)}{x} \]

Where:

\( q \) — Heat transfer rate (W)
\( k \) — Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)
\( SA \) — Surface area (m²)
\( T2 \) — Outside surface temperature (K)
\( T3 \) — Inside surface temperature (K)
\( x \) — Tube thickness (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the rate of heat transfer through a tube wall based on Fourier's law of heat conduction, where heat flows from the higher temperature surface to the lower temperature surface.

3. Importance Of Heat Transfer Calculation

Details: Accurate heat transfer calculation is crucial for designing thermal systems, optimizing energy efficiency, predicting temperature distributions, and ensuring proper operation of heat exchangers and other thermal equipment.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter thermal conductivity in W/m·K, surface area in m², temperatures in Kelvin, and tube thickness in meters. All values must be positive, and outside temperature should be higher than inside temperature for heat transfer from outside to inside.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is thermal conductivity?
A: Thermal conductivity is a material property that indicates its ability to conduct heat. Materials with high thermal conductivity transfer heat more efficiently.

Q2: Why use Kelvin for temperature?
A: Kelvin is used because it's an absolute temperature scale where 0K represents absolute zero, ensuring temperature differences are calculated correctly in heat transfer equations.

Q3: What affects heat transfer rate?
A: Heat transfer rate increases with higher thermal conductivity, larger surface area, greater temperature difference, and thinner material thickness.

Q4: Can this formula be used for other shapes?
A: This specific formula is for planar surfaces. For cylindrical tubes, a modified formula accounting for curvature may be needed for precise calculations.

Q5: What are typical thermal conductivity values?
A: Copper: ~400 W/m·K, Aluminum: ~200 W/m·K, Steel: ~50 W/m·K, Glass: ~1 W/m·K, Air: ~0.026 W/m·K.