Class: 3rd

Subject: Heat Transfer

Lecturer: Hind Naji Kareem
E-mail: hind.naji@mustaqbal-
college.edu.iq

CHAPTER FOUR
Two Dimensional, Steady State Conduction
For two dimensional, steady state conditions with no generation and constant
thermal conductivity, the general conduction equation reduces to

Methods for solving Eq. (4.1) include the use of

1- Analytical method.
2- Graphical method.
3- Numerical method (finite difference, finite element, or boundary element).

The best alternative is often one that uses a numerical technique

For two-dimensional problems involve complicated geometries and/or boundary

conditions, the best alternative is often one that uses a numerical technique.

4.1 Numerical method

4.1.1 Finite Difference Form of the Heat Equation
Consider a two dimensional body that is to be divided into equal increments in both the
x and y directions, as shown in Figure (4.1). The nodal points are designated as shown, the
(m) locations indicating the x increment and the (n) locations indicating the y increment.
We wish to establish the temperatures at any of these nodal points within the body, using
Eq. (4.1) as a governing condition. Finite differences are used to approximate differential
increments in the temperature and space coordinates; and the smaller we choose these
finite increments, the more closely the true temperature distribution will be approximated.

A numerical solution enables determination of the temperature at only discrete points.

The first step in any numerical analysis must therefore be to select these points. Referring
to Figure (4.1), this may be done by subdividing the medium of interest into a number of
small regions and assigning to each a reference point that is at its center. The reference
point is frequently termed a nodal point (or simply a node), and the aggregate of points is

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 Class: 3rd
Subject: Heat Transfer
Lecturer: Hind Naji Kareem
E-mail: hind.naji@mustaqbal-
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termed a nodal network, grid, or mesh. The nodal points are designated by a numbering
scheme that, for a two dimensional system, may take the form shown in Figure (4.1 a).
The x and y locations are designated by the m and n indices, respectively.

Figure (4.1) Two dimensional conduction. (a) Nodal network. (b) Finite difference
approximation.

The temperature gradients may be written as follows:

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 Class: 3rd
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Substitute Eq’s from Eq. (4.6) and Eq. (4.7) in to Eq. (4.1) get

If ∆𝑥 = ∆𝑦 , then

Example (4.1): Use the numerical method to write the finite difference equation for each
node that shown in Figure

Solution:

100 + 𝑇2 + +500 + 𝑇3 − 4𝑇1 = 0 (1)

𝑇1 + 100 + 500 + 𝑇4 − 4𝑇2 = 0 (2)

100 + 𝑇4 + 𝑇1 + 100 − 4𝑇3 = 0 (3)

𝑇3 + 100 + 𝑇2 + 100 − 4𝑇4 = 0 (4)

4.1.2 The Energy Balance Method

In the energy balance method, the finite difference equation for a node is obtained by
applying conservation of energy to a control volume about the nodal region.

Since the actual direction of heat flow (into or out of the node) is often unknown, it is
convenient to formulate the energy balance by assuming that all the heat flow is into the
node. Such a condition is, of course, impossible, but if the rate equations are expressed in a
manner consistent with this assumption, the correct form of the finite difference equation
is obtained. For steady state conditions with generation.

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 Class: 3rd
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Consider applying Eq. (4.9) to a control volume about the interior node (m, n) of Figure
(4.2). For two dimensional conditions, energy exchange is influenced by

Figure (4.2) Conduction to an Interior Node from its Adjoining Nodes.

4

∑ 𝑞𝑖→(𝑚,𝑛) + 𝑞(∆𝑥 ∗ ∆𝑦 ∗ 1) = 0 (4.10)

𝑖=1

where i refers to the neighboring nodes, 𝑞(𝑖)→(𝑚,𝑛) is the conduction rate between nodes,
and unit depth is assumed.

To evaluate the conduction rate terms, we assume that conduction transfer occurs
exclusively through lanes that are oriented in either the x or y direction. Simplified forms
of Fourier’s law may therefore be used.

For example, the rate at which energy is transferred by conduction from node (m-1, n) to
(m, n) may be expressed as

where ( ∆𝑦. 1) is the heat transfer area.

(𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛)/ ∆𝑥 is the finite difference approximation to the temperature gradient at

the boundary between the two nodes.

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 Class: 3rd
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The remaining conduction rates may be expressed as

Substitute Eq’s from Eq. (4.11) to Eq. (4.14) into Eq. (4.10), so that the finite difference
equation for an interior node with generation is

When the solid is exposed to some convection boundary condition, the temperatures
at the surface must be computed differently from the method given above. Consider the
boundary shown in Figure (4.3). The energy balance on node (m, n) is

Figure (4.3) Nomenclature for Nodal Equation with Convective Boundary Condition.

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𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣
(𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛) ∆𝑥 (𝑇𝑚,𝑛+1 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛) ∆𝑥 (𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛)
𝑘∆𝑦 +𝑘 +𝑘 = ℎ∆𝑦(𝑇𝑚,𝑛 − 𝑇∞)
∆𝑥 2 ∆𝑦 2 ∆𝑦

For ∆𝑥 = ∆ 𝑦, and multiply by (2/𝑘) the boundary temperature is expressed in the

equation

Eq. (4.17) applies to a plane surface exposed to a convection boundary condition. It will
not apply for other situations, such as an insulated wall or a corner exposed to a
convection boundary condition.

Consider the corner section shown in Figure (4.4). The energy balance for the corner
section is

Figure (4.4) Nomenclature for Nodal Equation with Convection at a Corner Section

𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣

∆𝑦 (𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛) ∆𝑥 (𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 𝑇𝑚,𝑛) ∆𝑥 ∆𝑦

𝑘 +𝑘 =ℎ (𝑇𝑚,𝑛 − 𝑇∞ ) + ℎ (𝑇𝑚,𝑛 − 𝑇∞)
2 ∆𝑥 2 ∆𝑦 2 2

For ∆𝑥 = ∆ 𝑦 and multiply by (2/𝑘) the boundary temperature is expressed in the

equation

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 Class: 3rd
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Configuration Finite Difference Equation for ∆𝒙 = ∆ 𝒚

CASE (1) Interior node

CASE (2) Node at an external corner with convection

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 Class: 3rd
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CASE (3) Node at an internal corner with convection

CASE (4) Node at a plane surface with convection

Note: To obtain the finite difference equation for an adiabatic surface (or surface of
symmetry), simply set )h( equal to zero.

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 Class: 3rd
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CASE (5) Node at a plane surface with uniform heat flux

Note: To obtain the finite difference equation for an adiabatic surface (or surface of
symmetry), simply set (q" ) equal to zero.

CASE (6) Insulated boundary

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 Class: 3rd
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Example (4.2): Using the energy balance method, derive the finite difference equation for
the (m, n) nodal point located on a plane, insulated surface of a medium with uniform heat
generation.

Solution:
Assumptions:

1. Steady-state conditions.

2. Two dimensional conduction.

3. Constant properties.

4. Uniform internal heat generation.

Substituting into Eq. (1) and dividing by k/2, it follows that

for ∆𝑥 = ∆𝑦

𝑞∆𝑥2
2𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛+1 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
𝑘

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 Class: 3rd
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4.2 Solving the Finite Difference Equations

As examples of the direct and iterative methods to solve the finite difference
equation is

1- Matrix inversion.
2- Gauss Seidel iteration.

4.2.1 The Matrix Inversion Method

Consider a system of N finite-difference equations corresponding to (N) unknown
temperatures. Identifying the nodes by a single integer subscript, rather than by the double
subscript (m, n), the procedure for performing a matrix inversion begins by expressing the
equations as

where the quantities 𝑎11, 𝑎12, . . . , 𝐶1, . .. are known coefficients and constants involving
quantities such as ∆𝑥, 𝑘, ℎ, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇∞ . Using matrix notation, these equations may be
expressed as

where

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The solution of Eq. (4.19) be expressed as

where [A]-1 is the inverse of [A] and is defined as

Evaluating the right hand side of Eq. (4.20), it follows that

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 Class: 3rd
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Example (4.3): Steady state temperatures (K) at

three nodal points of a long rectangular rod are as
shown. The rod experiences a uniform volumetric
generation rate of (5 × 107 𝑊/𝑚3) and has a
thermal conductivity of (20 W/m. K). Two of its sides
are maintained at a constant temperature of (300 K),
while the others are insulated. Determine the
temperatures at nodes 1, 2, and 3.

Solution:

Node (A) to find T2

Node at an external corner without convection (i.e h=0) and with heat generation (i. e
added the term (𝑞 ⁄𝑘) to the equation)
𝑞
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 2𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
𝑘
∆𝑥 = ∆𝑦
∆𝑥 ∆𝑦 ∆𝑥2
= ∗ ∗1=
2 2 4
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 2𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
4𝑘
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇2 + 𝑇𝐵 − 2𝑇𝐴 + =0
4𝑘
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇2 = 2𝑇𝐴 − 𝑇𝐵 −
4𝑘
5 × 107 ∗ (0.005)2
𝑇2 = 2 ∗ 398 − 374.6 −
4 ∗ 20
𝑇2 = 405.77 𝐾
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Node (3) to find T3

Interior node with heat generation (i. e added the term (𝑞 ⁄𝑘) to the equation)
𝑞
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚+1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛+1 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
𝑘
∆𝑥 = ∆𝑦
= ∆𝑥 ∗ ∆𝑦 ∗ 1 = ∆𝑥2
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚+1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛+1 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
𝑘
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇𝐶 + 𝑇𝐵 + 300 + 𝑇2 − 4𝑇3 + =0
𝑘
1 𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇3 = (𝑇𝐶 + 𝑇𝐵 + 300 + 𝑇2 + )
4 𝑘
1 5 × 107 ∗ (0.005)2
𝑇3 = (348.5 + 374.6 + 300 + 405.77 + )
4 20
𝑇3 = 372.84 𝐾

Node (1) to find T1

Insulated boundary with heat generation (i. e added the term (𝑞 ⁄𝑘) to the equation)
𝑞
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚+1,𝑛 + 2𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
𝑘
∆𝑥 = ∆𝑦
∆𝑦 ∆𝑥2
= ∆𝑥 ∗ ∗1=
2 2
𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 + 𝑇𝑚+1,𝑛 + 2𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 + =0
2𝑘
𝑞∆𝑥2
300 + 𝑇2 + 2𝑇𝐶 − 4𝑇1 + =0
2𝑘
1 𝑞∆𝑥2
𝑇1 = (300 + 𝑇2 + 2𝑇𝐶 + 2𝑘 )
4
1 5 × 107 ∗ (0.005)2
𝑇1 = (300 + 405.77 + 2 ∗ 348.5 + )
4 2 ∗ 20
𝑇1 = 358.5 𝐾
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 Class: 3rd
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college.edu.iq

Home Work (4):

1- Show that the nodal equation corresponding to an insulated wall shown in Figure below
is 𝑇𝑚,𝑛+1 + 𝑇𝑚,𝑛−1 + 2𝑇𝑚−1,𝑛 − 4𝑇𝑚,𝑛 = 0

2- For the insulated corner section shown in Figure below, derive an expression for the
nodal equation of node (m, n) under steady-state conditions.

3- In Figure below calculate the temperatures at points 1, 2 and 3 take 𝑇4 = 413 ℃ using
the numerical method.

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4- Steady state temperatures at selected nodal points of the symmetrical section of a flow
channel are known to be (𝑇2 = 95.47 ℃), (𝑇3 = 117.3 ℃), (𝑇5 = 79.79 ℃ , (𝑇6 =
77.29 ℃), (𝑇8 = 87.28 ℃), 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (𝑇10 = 77.65 ℃) . The wall experiences uniform
volumetric heat generation of ( 106 𝑊/𝑚3 ) and has a thermal conductivity of (𝑘 =
10 𝑊/𝑚. 𝐾). The inner and outer surfaces of the channel experience convection with
fluid temperatures of (𝑇∞,𝑖 = 50 ℃) and (𝑇∞,𝑜 = 25 ℃) and convection coefficients of
(ℎ𝑖 = 500 𝑊/𝑚2 . 𝐾) and (ℎ0 = 250 𝑊/𝑚2 . 𝐾).
(a) Determine the temperatures at nodes 1, 4, 7, and 9.
(b) Calculate the heat rate per unit length (W/m) from the outer surface A to the adjacent
fluid.
(c) Calculate the heat rate per unit length from the inner fluid to surface B.

5- Consider the network for a two-dimensional system without internal volumetric

generation having nodal temperatures shown below. If the grid space is (125 mm) and the
thermal conductivity of the material is (50 W/m. K), calculate the heat rate per unit length
normal to the page from the isothermal surface (Ts).

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