Chapter 2

Free convection
(Formulae & Problems)
Free convection
Free convection – If the fluid motion is produced due to change in density
resulting from temperature gradients, the mode of heat transfer is said to be
free or natural convection.

Examples:
Heating of rooms by use of radiators
C li off transmission
Cooling t i i lines,
li electric
l t i transformers
t f andd rectifiers
tifi
Wall of air conditioning house, Condenser of some refrigeration units.

The rate of heat transfer is calculated usingg the ggeneral convection law

Q = h A (Tw – T∞)

Where Q = heat transfer rate in Watts

A = Area in m2
Tw = Surface temperature in oC
T∞ = Fluid temperature in oC
Formula used for Free Convection
1. Film temperature, Tf = (Tw + T∞) / 2,
where Tw– Surface temperature in oC and T∞– Fluid temperature in oC

2. p
Coefficient of thermal expansion
β = 1/Tf (Tf in K)
vertical=Lc=H
3. Nusselt Number, Nu = hL/k,
where h – Heat transfer coefficient,, W/m2K
Horizontal Lc=w/2
L – Length, m,
k – Thermal conductivity, W/mK

4. plate,, Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T)) / γ2
Grashof Number for vertical p
(HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
where L – Length of the plate,
∆T – (Tw – T∞)
γ – Kinematic viscosity, m2/s,
β – Coefficient of thermal expansion

5. For a vertical plate surface, If GrPr value is less than 109, flow is laminar. If GrPr value is
greater than 109, flow is turbulent.
i.e., Gr Pr < 109, -> Laminar flow
Gr Pr > 109, -> Turbulent flow
Formula used for Free Convection
6. For laminar flow (Vertical plate):
Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.59[Gr Pr]0.25
This expression is valid for, 104 < Gr Pr < 109 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)

7. For turbulent flow (Vertical plate):

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.10[Gr Pr]0.333 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)

8. plate)) : Q = h A ((Tw – T∞)

Heat transfer ((Vertical p

9. Grashof Number for Horizontal plate: Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2

where, Lc – Characteristic length = W / 2,
W – Width of the pplate ((HMT Data book,, Pg:
g 136))

10. For horizontal plate, upper surface,

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.54 [Gr Pr]0.25
This expression
p is valid for,, 2 x 104 < Gr Pr < 8 x 106 ((HMT Data book,, Pg:
g 136))

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.15[Gr Pr]0.333

This expression is valid for, 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)

11. For horizontal plate, lower surface,

Nusselt Number, Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25
This expression is valid for, 105 < Gr Pr < 1011 (HMT Data book, Pg: 137)
Formula used for Free Convection
12. Heat transfer (Horizontal plate), Q = ( hu + hl) x A x (Tw – T∞)
where hu – Upper surface, heat transfer coefficient W/m2K,
hl – Lower surface, heat transfer coefficient W/m2K

13. For horizontal cylinder, Nu = C [Gr Pr ]m (HMT Data book, Pg: 138)
GrDPr C m
10-10 to 10-2 0.675 0.058
10-2 to 102 1.02 0.148
102 to 104 0.85 0.188
104 to 107 0.48 0.25
107 to 1012 0.125 0.333

14. For horizontal cylinder,

Heat transfer, Q = h A (Tw – T∞)
where A = π D L

p , Nusselt Number,, Nu = 2 + 0.43 [[GrD Pr]]0.25

15. For sphere, ((HMT Data book,, Pg:
g 138))
Heat transfer, Q = h x A x (Tw – T∞)
where A = 4 π r2
Formula used for Free Convection
16. Boundary layer thickness
δx = [3.93 χ (Pr)-0.5(0.952 + Pr)0.25 (Gr)-0.25] (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
Free Convection
1) A vertical plate of 0.75 m height is at 170o C and is exposed to air at a temperature of 105oC
and one atmosphere. Calculate:
(i) Mean heat transfer coefficient,
(ii) Rate of heat transfer per unit width of the plate
Given:
Length, L = 0.75 m Wall temperature, Tw = 170o C Fluid temperature, T∞ = 105o C

To find: 1. Heat transfer coefficient, ( h ) 2. Heat transfer ( Q ) per unit width

Solution: Coefficient of thermal expansion,

Velocity ( U ) is not given. So β = 1/(Tf in K) = 1 / (137.5 + 273) = 2.4 x 10-3 K-1
this is natural convection type
problem.
bl Grashof Number
Number,
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2 (HMT Data book, Pg: 135)
Tf = 137.5o C Gr = 8.35 x 108
Gr Pr = 5.71 x 108
Properties of air at Since Gr Pr < 109, flow is laminar
laminar. Gr Pr value is in between
137.5o C ~ 140o C 10 and 10 i.e., 10 < Gr Pr < 109
4 9 4
(HMT Data book, Pg: 34) So Nu = 0.59(Gr Pr)0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)
ρ = 0.854 kg/m3
Nu = 91.21
γ = 27.80 x 10-6 m2/s
Pr = 0.684 Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
k = 0.03489 W/mK h = 4.24 W/m2K
Q = h A (Tw – T∞ ) = h x LW x (Tw – T∞ ) (Given, W = 1 m)
Heat transfer, Q = 206.8 W
Free Convection
2) A vertical plate of 0.7 m wide and 1.2 m height maintained at a temperature of 90o C in a
room at 30o C. Calculate the convective heat loss.
Given:
Width W = 0.7
Width, 07m Height (or) Length
Length, L = 11.2
2m temperature, Tw = 90o C Room
Wall temperature
temperature, T∞ = 30o C
To find: Convective heat loss ( Q )
Solution:
Velocity ( U ) is not given. So Coefficient of thermal expansion,
this is natural convection β = 1/(Tf in K) = 1 / (60 + 273) = 3 x 10-3 K-1
type problem. Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x L3 x ∆T) / γ2
Film Temp
Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 8 4 x 109
G = 8.4
Gr
Tf = 60o C
Gr Pr = 5.9 x 109 Since Gr Pr > 109, flow is turbulent.
So Nu = 0.10(Gr Pr)0.333 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)
Properties
p of air at 60o C
(HMT Data book, Pg: 34) Nu = 179.3
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3
Convective heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
γ = 18.97 x 10-6 m2/s
h = 4.32 W/m2K
Pr = 0.696
k = 0.02896 W/mK Q = h A (Tw – T∞ ) = h x LW x (Tw – T∞ ) = 218.16
Convective heat loss, Q = 218.16 W
 Free Convection
3) A horizontal plate of 800 mm long, 70 mm wide is maintained at a temperature 140o C in a
large tank of full of water at 60o C. Determine the total heat loss from the plate.
Given:
Horizontal plate length
length, L = 00.8
8 m Wide
Wide, W = 0.070
0 070 m temperature, Tw = 140o C
Plate temperature
Fluid temperature, T∞ = 60o C
To find: Total heat loss from the plate.

Solution:
S l ti
For horizontal plate, Lc – Characteristic length =W / 2 = 0.035 m
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞ ) /2
Tf = 100o C Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 135 & 136)
Gr = 0.297 x 109
Properties of water at 100oC Gr Pr = 0.518 x 109
(HMT Data book, Pg: 22) Gr Pr value is in between 8 x 106 and 1011
ρ = 961 kg/m3 i.e., 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011
γ = 0.293 x 10-6 m2/s
Pr = 1.740 So, for horizontal plate, upper surface,
k = 0.6804 W/mK Nu = 0.15(Gr Pr)0.333 (Pg: 136)

0 76 x 10-33 K-11
βwater = 0.76 Nu = 119.66
119 66 Heat transfer coefficient for upper surface heated,
heated
(HMT Data book, Pg: 30) hu = Nu k / Lc = 2326.19 W/m K 2
Free Convection
For horizontal plate, Lower surface,
Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 137)

Nu = 40.73
40 73

Heat transfer coefficient for lower surface, hl = Nu k / Lc

hl = 791.79 W/m2K

Total heat transfer, Q = ( hu + hl ) A ∆T

( w – T∞ )
= ( hu + hl ) x LW x (T

Q = 13968.55 W

Total heal loss, Q = 13,968.55 W

Free Convection
4) Air flows through a long rectangular 300 mm height x 800 mm width air-conditioning duct,
the outer duct surface temperature is at 20o C. If the duct is uninsulated and maintained at 40oC.
Calculate the heat gained by the duct, assuming duct to be horizontal.
Gi
Given:
Height, H = 0.3 m Width, W = 0.8 m Surface temperature, Tw = 20o C
------------------------
Fluid temperature, T∞ = 40o C Length
---------
L = 1 m (assumed)
To find: Rate of heat gained (Q)

Solution:
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞ ) /2 Since the duct is laid horizontally, the heat gain is by free
Tf = 30o C convection from the vertical and the horizontal top and
bottom sides.
Properties of air at 30o C
(HMT Data book, Pg: 34) Free convection from the vertical sides:
ρ = 1.165 kg/m3 Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x H3 x ∆T) / γ2
γ = 16 x 10-66 m2/s
/ 6 8 x 107
Gr = 6.8
Pr = 0.701 Gr Pr = 4.7 x 107
k = 0.02675 W/mK Since Gr Pr < 109 , flow is laminar.
Gr Pr value is in between 104 and 109 i.e., 104 < Gr Pr < 109
β = 1/(Tf in K)
So, Nu = 0.59 (Gr Pr)0.25 (HMT Data book, Pg: 136)
β = 3.3 x 10-3 K-1
Nu = 48.85
 Free Convection
Average heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / L
hv = 4.35 W/m2K
Heat transfer from vertical side, Qv = hv A (T∞ – Tw) = h x LH x (T∞ – Tw) = 26.1 W
Heat transfer from both side of vertical sides, Qv = 2 x Qv = 52.2 W

Heat transfer from horizontal sides:

For horizontal plate, Characteristic length, Lc =W / 2 = 0.4 m
Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x Lc3 x ∆T) / γ2
Gr = 1.6 x 108
Gr Pr = 1.13 x 108
For horizontal plate, upper surface, 8 x 106 < Gr Pr < 1011 .
0. 5[G Pr]]0.333 = 772.17
Nu = 0.15[Gr . 7
Heat transfer coefficient for upper surface, hhu = Nu k / Lc = 4.82 W/m2K

For horizontal plate, lower surface, 105 < Gr Pr < 1011

Nu = 0.27[Gr Pr]0.25 = 27.8
Heat transfer coefficient for lower surface, hhl = Nu k / Lc = 1.85 W/m2K
Heat transfer from horizontal plate, QH = ( hu + hl ) A ∆T = ( hu + hl ) x LW x (T∞ – Tw) = 106.7 W
Total heat transfer, Q = {Heat transfer from vertical sides} + {Heat transfer from horizontal sides}
Q = 158.9 W
Free Convection
5) A horizontal wire of 3 mm diameter is maintained at 100o C (by Joule heating effect) and is
exposed to air at 20o C. Calculate the following:
1. Heat transfer coefficient,
2. Maximum current. Take resistance of wire is 7 ohm/m.
Given:
Horizontal wire diameter, D = 3 x 10-3 m Surface temperature, Tw = 100o C
Air temperature, T∞ = 20o C Resistance of the wire, R = 7 ohm/m
To find: 11. Heat transfer coefficient (h)
(h), 22. Maximum current (I).
(I)

Solution:
Grashoff Number, Gr = (g x β x D3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 138)
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Gr = 176.64
Tf = 60o C
For horizontal cylinder, Nu = C [Gr Pr]m (Pg: 138)
Properties of air at 60o C Gr Pr = 122.9, Corresponding C =0.85 and m = 0.188
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3 Nu = 2.1
18 97 x 10-66 m2/s
γ = 18.97
Pr = 0.696 Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / D
k = 0.02896 W/mK h = 20.27 W/m2K
Heat transfer, Q = h A (Tw – T ∞ ) =h x π DL x (Tw – T∞ ) = 15.2W/m
β = 1/(Tf in K) f Q = I 2R
H t transfer,
Heat t
β = 3 x 10-3 K-1 Maximum current, I = (Q/R)1/2 = 1.47 Amps / m
 Free Convection
6) A Sphere of diameter 20 mm is at 300o C is immersed in air at 25o C. Calculate the convective
heat loss.
Given:
Diameter of sphere
sphere, D = 0.020
0 020 m temperature Tw = 300o C Fluid temp,
Surface temperature, temp T∞ = 25o C

To find: Convective heat loss, ( Q )

Solution:
Film Temp, Tf = (Tw+ T∞) /2 Grashof Number, Gr = (g x β x D3 x ∆T) / γ2 (Pg: 138)
Tf = 162.5o C Gr = 54,734.2
Gr Pr = 37,328.7
Properties of air at
162.5o C ~ 160o C For sphere, [ 1 < Gr Pr < 105]
ρ = 0.815 kg/m3 Nu = 2 +0.43 [Gr Pr]0.25 (Pg: 138)
γ = 30.09 x 10-6 m2/s
Nu = 7.97
Pr = 0.682
0 682
k = 0.03640 W/mK Heat transfer coefficient, h = Nu k / D
h = 14.51 W/m2K
β = 1/(Tf in K)
2 29 x 10-33 K-11
β = 2.29 Heatt transfer,
H t f Q =h h A (Tw – T∞) =h
h x 4 π r2 x (Tw – T∞)
Convective heat loss, Q = 5.01 W
 HOME WORK
A vertical plate of 40 cm long is maintained at 80 oC and is exposed to air at 22 oC.
Calculate the following
i) Boundary layer thickness at the tailing edge of the plate.
ii) The same plate is placed in a wind tunnel and is blown over it at a velocity of 5 m/s.
Calculate the boundary layer thickness.
iii) Average heat transfer coefficient for natural and forced convection for above
mentioned data.

A horizontal pipe of 15 cm diameter is maintained at wall temperature of 200 oC and is

exposed to air at 37 oC. Calculate the heat loss (including radiative loss) per meter length
if emissivity of pipe is 0.92.