2-1

Chapter 2
HEAT CONDUCTION EQUATION

2-19 The variation of the absorption of solar energy in a solar pond with depth is given. A relation for
the total rate of heat generation in a water layer at the top of the pond is to be determined.
Assumptions Absorption of solar radiation by water is modeled as heat generation.
Analysis The total rate of heat generation in a water layer of surface area A and thickness L at the top of
the pond is determined by integration to be
L
L e bx Ae0 (1  e bL )
Egen  V egen dV  
x 0
e0 e bx ( Adx)  Ae0
b
0

b

2-43 Heat conduction through the bottom section of a steel pan that is used to boil water on top of an
electric range is considered. Assuming constant thermal conductivity and one-dimensional heat transfer,
the mathematical formulation (the differential equation and the boundary conditions) of this heat
conduction problem is to be obtained for steady operation.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is given to be steady and one-dimensional. 2 Thermal conductivity is given
to be constant. 3 There is no heat generation in the medium. 4 The top surface at x = L is subjected to
convection and the bottom surface at x = 0 is subjected to uniform heat flux.
Analysis The heat flux at the bottom of the pan is
Qs Egen 0.85  (1250 W)
qs     33,820 W/m2
As D / 4  (0.20 m) 2 / 4
2

Then the differential equation and the boundary conditions for this heat conduction problem can be
expressed as
d 2T
0
dx 2
dT (0)
k  qs  33,280 W/m2
dx
dT ( L)
k  h[T ( L)  T ]
dx
 2-2

2-61 A large plane wall is subjected to specified temperature on the left surface and convection on the
right surface. The mathematical formulation, the variation of temperature, and the rate of heat transfer
are to be determined for steady one-dimensional heat transfer.
Assumptions 1 Heat conduction is steady and one-dimensional. 2 Thermal conductivity is constant. 3
There is no heat generation.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k = 2.3 W/m°C.
Analysis (a) Taking the direction normal to the surface of the wall to be the x direction with x = 0 at the
left surface, the mathematical formulation of this problem can be expressed as
d 2T
0
dx 2
and k
T (0)  T1  90C T1=90°C
A=30 m2 T =25°C
dT ( L)
k  h[T ( L)  T ] h=24 W/m2.°C
dx L=0.4 m
(b) Integrating the differential equation twice with respect to x yields
dT
 C1
dx
T ( x)  C1x  C2
x
where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constants. Applying the boundary conditions give
x = 0: T (0)  C1  0  C2  C2  T1
h(C 2  T ) h(T1  T )
x = L:  kC1  h[(C1 L  C 2 )  T ]  C1    C1  
k  hL k  hL
Substituting C1 and C 2 into the general solution, the variation of temperature is determined to be
h(T1  T )
T ( x)   x  T1
k  hL
(24 W/m2  C)(90  25)C
 x  90C
(2.3 W/m C)  (24 W/m2  C)( 0.4 m)
 90  131.1x
(c) The rate of heat conduction through the wall is
dT h(T1  T )
Qwall  kA  kAC 1  kA
dx k  hL
(24 W/m2  C)(90  25)C
 (2.3 W/m C)(30 m 2 )
(2.3 W/m C)  (24 W/m2  C)( 0.4 m)
 9045 W
Note that under steady conditions the rate of heat conduction through a plain wall is constant.
 2-3

2-79 A spherical container is subjected to specified temperature on the inner surface and convection on
the outer surface. The mathematical formulation, the variation of temperature, and the rate of heat
transfer are to be determined for steady one-dimensional heat transfer.
Assumptions 1 Heat conduction is steady and one-dimensional since there is no change with time and
there is thermal symmetry about the midpoint. 2 Thermal conductivity is constant. 3 There is no heat
generation.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k = 30 W/m°C.
Analysis (a) Noting that heat transfer is one-dimensional in the radial r direction, the mathematical
formulation of this problem can be expressed as
d  2 dT 
r 0
dr  dr  k T1
and T (r1 )  T1  0C r1 T
r2
h
dT (r2 )
k  h[T (r2 )  T ]
dr
(b) Integrating the differential equation once with respect to r gives
dT
r2  C1
dr
Dividing both sides of the equation above by r to bring it to a readily integrable form and then
integrating,
dT C1

dr r 2
C1
T (r )    C2
r
where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constants. Applying the boundary conditions give
C1
r = r1 : T (r1 )    C 2  T1
r1
C1  C 
r = r2 : k 2
 h  1  C2  T 
r2  r2 
Solving for C1 and C2 simultaneously gives
r2 (T1  T ) C1 T1  T r2
C1  and C 2  T1   T1 
r k r1 r k r1
1 2  1 2 
r1 hr2 r1 hr2
Substituting C1 and C2 into the general solution, the variation of temperature is determined to be
C1 C  1 1 T1  T  r2 r2 
T (r )    T1  1  C1     T1      T1
r r1  r1 r  r k  r1 r 
1 2 
r1 hr2
(0  25)C  2.1 2.1 
     0C  29.63(1.05  2.1 / r )
2.1 30 W/m  C  2 r 
1 
2 (18 W/m2  C)( 2.1 m)
(c) The rate of heat conduction through the wall is
dT C r (T  T )
Q kA  k (4r 2 ) 21  4kC1  4k 2 1 
dr r r k
1 2 
r1 hr2
(2.1 m)(0  25)C
 4 (30 W/m C)  23,460 W
2.1 30 W/m C
1 
2 (18 W/m2  C)( 2.1 m)
 2-4

2-87 Heat is generated uniformly in a large brass plate. One side of the plate is insulated while the other
side is subjected to convection. The location and values of the highest and the lowest temperatures in
the plate are to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is steady since there is no indication of any change with time. 2 Heat
transfer is one-dimensional since the plate is large relative to its thickness, and there is thermal
symmetry about the center plane 3 Thermal conductivity is constant. 4 Heat generation is uniform.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k =111 W/m°C.
Analysis This insulated plate whose thickness is L is equivalent
to one-half of an uninsulated plate whose thickness is 2L since
the midplane of the uninsulated plate can be treated as insulated k
surface. The highest temperature will occur at the insulated e gen

surface while the lowest temperature will occur at the surface Insulated T =25°C
which is exposed to the environment. Note that L in the h=44 W/m2.°C
L=5 cm
following relations is the full thickness of the given plate since
the insulated side represents the center surface of a plate whose
thickness is doubled. The desired values are determined directly
from
egen L (2 10 5 W/m3 )(0.05 m)
Ts  T   25C   252.3C
h 44 W/m2  C
egen L2 (2 10 5 W/m3 )( 0.05 m) 2
To  Ts   252.3C   254.6C
2k 2(111 W/m C)
 2-5

2-92 Heat is generated in a large plane wall whose one side is insulated while the other side is
maintained at a specified temperature. The mathematical formulation, the variation of temperature in the
wall, and the temperature of the insulated surface are to be determined for steady one-dimensional heat
transfer.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is steady since there is no indication of any change with time. 2 Heat
transfer is one-dimensional since the wall is large relative to its thickness, and there is thermal symmetry
about the center plane. 3 Thermal conductivity is constant. 4 Heat generation varies with location in the
x direction.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k = 30 W/m°C.
Analysis (a) Noting that heat transfer is steady and one-
dimensional in x direction, the mathematical formulation of this
problem can be expressed as k
d 2T egen ( x)
2
 0
dx k Insulated T2 =30°C

where egen  e0 e 0.5 x / L and e0 = 8106 W/m3

dT (0)
and 0 (insulated surface at x = 0)
dx L x

T ( L)  T2  30C (specified surface temperature)

(b) Rearranging the differential equation and integrating,
d 2T e0 0.5 x / L dT e e 0.5 x / L dT 2e0 L 0.5 x / L
 e   0  C1   e  C1
dx 2 k dx k  0.5 / L dx k
Integrating one more time,
2e0 L e 0.5 x / L 4e L2
T ( x)   C1 x  C 2  T ( x)   0 e 0.5 x / L  C1 x  C 2 (1)
k  0.5 / L k
Applying the boundary conditions:
dT (0) 2e0 L 0.50 / L 2e L 2e L
B.C. at x = 0:  e  C1  0  0  C1  C1   0
dx k k k
4e0 L2 0.5 L / L 4e L2 2e L2
B. C. at x = L: T ( L)  T2   e  C1 L  C 2  C 2  T2  0 e 0.5  0
k k k
Substituting the C1 and C2 relations into Eq. (1) and rearranging give
e0 L2
T ( x )  T2  [4(e 0.5  e 0.5 x / L )  2(1  x / L)]
k
which is the desired solution for the temperature distribution in the wall as a function of x.
(c) The temperature at the insulate surface (x = 0) is determined by substituting the known quantities to
be
e0 L2
T (0)  T2  [4(e 0.5  e 0 )  (2  0 / L)]
k
(8  10 6 W/m3 )( 0.05 m) 2
 30C  [4(e 0.5  1)  (2  0)]
(30 W/m  C)
 314C
Therefore, there is a temperature difference of almost 300°C between the two sides of the plate.
 2-6

2-94 A nuclear fuel rod with a specified surface temperature is used as the fuel in a nuclear reactor. The
center temperature of the rod is to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is steady since there is no
indication of any change with time. 2 Heat transfer is one-
dimensional since there is thermal symmetry about the center 220°C
line and no change in the axial direction. 3 Thermal
conductivity is constant. 4 Heat generation in the rod is uniform. egen
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k =
29.5 W/m°C. Uranium rod
Analysis The center temperature of the rod is determined from
egen ro2 (4 10 7 W/m3 )( 0.005 m) 2
To  Ts   220C   228C
4k 4(29.5 W/m.C)

2-97 Heat is generated in a long solid cylinder with a specified surface temperature. The variation of
temperature in the cylinder is given by
egen ro2   r
2

T (r )  1      Ts
k   ro 
 
 
(a) Heat conduction is steady since there is no time t variable involved. 80C
(b) Heat conduction is a one-dimensional.
(c) Using Eq. (1), the heat flux on the surface of the k
egen r
cylinder at r = ro is determined from its definition to be
dT (ro )  egen ro2  2r   D
qs  k  k   
dr  k  r 2 
 o  r  r0
 egen ro2  2ro 
 k     2egen ro  2(35 W/cm3 )( 4 cm) = 280 W/cm 2
 k  r2 
 o 
 2-7

2-106 Heat is generated uniformly in a spherical radioactive material with specified surface temperature.
The mathematical formulation, the variation of temperature in the sphere, and the center temperature are
to be determined for steady one-dimensional heat transfer.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is steady since there is no indication of any changes with time. 2 Heat
transfer is one-dimensional since there is thermal symmetry about the mid point. 3 Thermal conductivity
is constant. 4 Heat generation is uniform.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be k = 15 W/m°C.
Analysis (a) Noting that heat transfer is steady and one-dimensional Ts=80°C
in the radial r direction, the mathematical formulation of this k
egen
problem can be expressed as
1 d  2 dT  egen r
r  0 with egen  constant 0 ro
r 2 dr  dr  k
and T (ro )  Ts  80C (specified surface temperature)
dT (0)
0 (thermal symmetry about the mid point)
dr
(b) Multiplying both sides of the differential equation by r2 and rearranging gives
d  2 dT  egen 2
r  r
dr  dr  k
Integrating with respect to r gives
dT egen r 3
r2   C1 (a)
dr k 3
Applying the boundary condition at the mid point,
dT (0) egen
B.C. at r = 0: 0    0  C1  C1  0
dr 3k
Dividing both sides of Eq. (a) by r2 to bring it to a readily integrable form and integrating,
dT egen
 r
dr 3k
egen 2
and T (r )   r  C2 (b)
6k
Applying the other boundary condition at r  r0 ,
egen egen
B. C. at r  ro : Ts   ro2  C 2  C 2  Ts  ro2
6k 6k
Substituting this C 2 relation into Eq. (b) and rearranging give
egen
T ( r )  Ts  (ro2  r 2 )
6k
which is the desired solution for the temperature distribution in the wire as a function of r.
(c) The temperature at the center of the sphere (r = 0) is determined by substituting the known quantities
to be
egen egen ro2 (4 10 7 W/m3 )( 0.04 m) 2
T (0)  Ts  (ro2  0 2 )  Ts   80C +  791C
6k 6k 6  (15 W/ m  C)
Thus the temperature at center will be about 711°C above the temperature of the outer surface of the
sphere.
 2-8

2-117 A plate with variable conductivity is subjected to specified temperatures on both sides. The rate of
heat transfer through the plate is to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Heat transfer is given to be steady and one-
dimensional. 2 Thermal conductivity varies quadratically. 3
There is no heat generation.
Properties The thermal conductivity is given to be
k (T )  k 0 (1  T 2 ) .
k(T)
Analysis When the variation of thermal conductivity with T2
temperature k(T) is known, the average value of the thermal T1
conductivity in the temperature range between T1 and T2 can be
determined from
T
T2 T2 æ b ö2
k0 ççT + T 3÷
÷
ò ò
2
k(T )dT k0 (1+ b T )dT çè 3 ÷ øT L x
T1 T1
kavg = = = 1

T2 - T1 T2 - T1 T2 - T1
é b 3 ù
k0 ê(T2 - T1)+ T2 - T13 ú
( )
êë 3 ú
û
=
T2 - T1
é b 2 ù
= k0 ê1+ T + T1T2 + T12 ú
( )
êë 3 2 ú
û
This relation is based on the requirement that the rate of heat transfer through a medium with constant
average thermal conductivity kavg equals the rate of heat transfer through the same medium with variable
conductivity k(T). Then the rate of heat conduction through the plate can be determined to be
T T  

 T T
Q k avg A 1 2  k 0 1  T22  T1T2  T12  A 1 2 
L  3  L
Discussion We would obtain the same result if we substituted the given k(T) relation into the second
part of Eq. 2-76, and performed the indicated integration.