15MMH12 Principles of Conduction

Assignment 5 Dr. T. Sridhar

Q. 1. (a) A semi-infinite solid occupying the region 0 x < is initially at a uniform

temperature of 30oC. For times t > 0, the surface temperature at x = 0 is changed to
50oC. If the thermal properties of the solid are: = 2500 kg/m3, k = 5 W/m-K, and c =
240 J/kg-K, find the total heat transfer during an interval lasting from t = 0 to t = t1 =
30 min. What is the heat transfer during the next 30 min interval (from t1 to t2 = 60
min)?
(b) Analyze using the concept of contact temperature which floor feels more
comfortable to walk barefoot on: (i) a wood floor at 20oC, or (ii) a granite floor also at
20oC. The sole of the human foot is at an average body temperature of 37oC. The
thermal properties of wood are: = 545 kg/m3, k = 0.17 W/m-K, and c = 2385 J/kg-
K; for granite these are: = 2630 kg/m3, k = 2.79 W/m-K, and c = 775 J/kg-K. The
properties of human flesh are: = 810 kg/m3, k = 0.19 W/m-K, and c = 350 J/kg-K.
[Partial Ans. (a) 1.6584 MJ/m2 during 0 t t1]

Q. 2. (a) Implement the control volume finite-difference method to set up algebraic

equations for boundary control volumes belonging to a plane wall in which heat
conduction is described by the following formulation:

( ) = 0

with: (i) ()=0 = 0 ; and (ii) ()= = [( = ) ]. Re-
write the problem statement in simple technical English with an accompanying
sketch.
(b) Use 5 uniformly-spaced nodes to numerically solve for the temperature
distribution inside the wall if L = 8 cm, k = 10 W/m-K, q0 = 1000 W/m2, h = 50
W/m2K, and T = 20oC.
(c) Obtain a theoretical solution for the problem formulation in Q. 2(a). Use the
theoretical expression for T(x) to verify the correctness of your numerical answers
obtained in Q. 2(b).
[Partial Ans. (b) T4 = 40oC, T0 = 48oC]

Q. 3. Inside a plane wall of thickness 8 cm, = 100 kW/m3 and k = 5 W/m-K. The left side
of the wall experiences convection with a fluid at (h, T) = (40 W/m2K, 12.5oC)
whereas the right side is maintained at 10oC.
(a) Use 8 uniform node intervals to numerically solve for the temperature distribution.
(b) Validate the correctness of your answers via an energy conservation check.
[Partial Ans. (a) T0 = 50oC]

Q. 4. Inside a long solid cylinder of diameter 8 cm, = 100 kW/m3 and k = 5 W/m-K. The
cylinder is immersed in a coolant fluid at (h, T) = (40 W/m2K, 12.5oC).
(a) Use 4 uniform node intervals from the cylinder axis to the surface and numerically
solve for the temperature distribution.
(b) Validate the correctness of your answers via an energy conservation check.
[Partial Ans. (b) q = 502.7 W/m]