Heat Transfer Processes and

Equipment
CH2043

English Program
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
DR SHAFIRAH SAMSURI
Dr Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya
Chapter 5:
Convective Heat Transfer –
External Forced Convection
Dr Wan Zaireen Nisa Bt Yahya

2
 Lesson Outcomes
At the end of this topic:
1. Determine the convection heat transfer coefficient, h, and the rate of
heat transfer for flow across flat plat, cylinder, and spheres
2. Determine the convection heat transfer coefficient, h, and the rate of
heat transfer for flow across tube banks

CLO1: Analyze and estimate the rate of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation
in the systems of practical interest

Ref: Chapter 7 (Cengel)

3
 Recap
4 - Fundamental of Convection Heat Transfer ℎ𝐿𝑐
▪ Physical Mechanism of Convection
𝑁𝑢 =
𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣
𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑
= 𝑘
ℎ 𝑇𝑠 −𝑇∞
𝑇 −𝑇∞
= 𝑘
𝐿𝑐 𝑠
▪ Classification of Fluids: VL rVLc
Re = Inertia forces = c =
Viscous forces n m
• based on Re, laminar, transition, turbulent Molecular diffusivity of momentum n m𝑐𝑝
Pr = = =
▪ Classification of fluid flow in pipe: Molecular diffisuvity of heat 𝛼 𝑘

• Hydrodynamic entry length

• Thermal entry length
▪ External Forced convection:
• Fluid Flow over flat plate • The length of hydrodynamic entrance region is called the
hydrodynamic entry length, Lh.
• Lh, laminar ≈ 0.05 ReD
• Lh, turbulent ≈ 10D

• The length of thermal entrance region is called the thermal entry

length, Lt.
• Lt, laminar ≈ 0.05 RePrD = Pr Lh, laminar
• Lt, turbulent ≈ 10D 4
 Steps to Obtain Correlations Experimentally
Example: heat transfer in a flat plate
Q = VI = hAs(Ts – T∞)
• Step 1: Determine Q from I and V
• Step 2: Determine h, Re, Pr, and Nu at film temperature (Tf)
• Step 3: Plot the graph of ln(Nu/Prn)** against ln(Re) to obtain
the constants (C and m)
• Step 4: Repeat the experiment for other testing conditions
(e.g., velocity, plate length, fluid properties).

Nu = CRem n **In usual case, Pr will be comparable and can

L Pr
be compressed into a single straight line.

Nu
ln n
= ln C + m ln ReL m
Pr
log C
n = 1/3 in most cases
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 Parallel Flow over a Flat Plate
Critical Reynolds number (Rec)
• Laminar flow:
hL 0.5 3
1
Nu = = 0.664ReL Pr ReL < 5 × 105
k
• Turbulent flow:
0.6 ≤ Pr ≤ 60
hL 0.5 3
1
Nu = = 0.037ReL Pr 5 × 105 ≤ ReL ≤ 107
k
• Average Nusselt number for entire plate (i.e., laminar + • All condition are measured at
turbulent): film temperature, Tf:

hL 1 0.6 ≤ Pr ≤ 60 Ts + T∞
Nu = 0.8
= 0.037ReL − 871 Pr 3 Tf =
k 5 × 105 ≤ ReL ≤ 107 2

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 Parallel Flow over a Flat Plate
• Example 1: Air at pressure p∞ and T∞ is flowing at velocity u∞ over a flat plate L.
Determine the cooling rate per unit width of the plate needed to maintain at
surface temperature Ts.

• Given (air at 437 K and 1 atm):

ν = 30.84 x 10-6 m2/s
k = 36.4 x 10-3 W/m-K
Pr = 0.687

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 Parallel Flow over a Flat Plate
• Velocity, u∞ is given: ∴ forced convection
• Fluid temperature: T =
Ts + T∞ 300 + 27
= + 273 = 437 K
f
2 2

Note: As observed from the given information, the

pressure is not given as 1 atm. In the usual case, k, Pr,
and μ do not change much with pressure but this is
not the case for ν (= μ/ρ). Thus, assuming the ideal gas
law, it can be determined as follows:
ν1 P1 = ν2 P2
ν1 P1 1.013 × 10 5
ν2 = = 30.84 × 10−6
P2 6 × 103
ν2 = 5.21 × 10−4 m2 Τs
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 Parallel Flow over a Flat Plate
• Reynolds number, Re: Laminar flow:
u∞ L (10)(0.5) hL 1
ReL = = −4
= 9597 < 500,000 (Laminar) Nu = 0.5 3
= 0.664ReL Pr
ν 5.21 × 10 k

• Solve for Nusselt Number, Nu:

hL 1
0.5 3 0.5
1
Nu = = 0.664ReL Pr = 0.664(9597) (0.687)3 = 57.4
k
• Solve for cooling rate per unit width:
Nuk
q′ = hL Ts − T∞ = L Ts − T∞
L
q′ = 57.4 36.4 × 10−3 300 − 27 = 570 W/m
• In this case, we need to remove the heat at the rate of 570 W/m.
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Flow across cylinders and spheres
• Practical applications
The tubes in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger involve both internal
flow inside the tubes and external flow outside (over) the tubes.

Many cryogenic storage tanks involve

flow over spherical shape geometry.

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 Flow across Cylinder and Sphere
• Circular Cylinder • All conditions are measured at film
temperature, Tf:
4
1 1 5 5 • Recommended for ReDPr > 0.2
2
hD 0.62ReD Pr 3 ReD 8
Nu = = 0.3 + 1 1+
kf 2 4 282000
0.4 3
1+
Pr

• Sphere
1 • All conditions are measured at T∞
1 2 except μs at surface temperature (Ts)
hD 2 3 0.4
μ∞ 4
Nu = = 2 + 0.4ReD + 0.06ReD Pr
kf μs 0.7 ≤ Pr ≤ 380
3.5 ≤ Re ≤ 7.6 x 104
1.0 ≤ μ/μs ≤ 3.2 11
 Flow Across Non-circular Cylinders
• Non-circular Cylinder
hD 1
Nu = = CRem
D Pr
3
kf

• All conditions are measured at

film temperature, Tf
• C and m are constants

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 Flow across Cylinder
• Example 2: Engine oil at 60°C flows in a cross-flow direction at a velocity of 2
m/s over the outer surface of an 80-cm long tube. The tube has a nominal
diameter of 5 cm with an outer surface temperature of 20°C. Determine the
rate of heat transfer over the entire length of the tube.
• Given:

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 Flow across Cylinder
• Velocity, V is given: ∴ forced convection ρ = 876 kg/m3
• Fluid temperature: n = 2.485 × 10-4 m2/s
Ts + T∞ 60 + 20 Pr = 2962
Tf = = = 40 ℃
2 2 k = 0.1444 W/m-K
• Reynolds number:
VD (2)(0.05)
ReD = = = 402 ReD Pr > 0.2 4
ν 2.485 × 10−4 1 1 5 5
2
hD 0.62ReD Pr 3 ReD 8
• Solve for Nusselt Number and h: Nu = = 0.3 + 1 1+
kf 2 4 282000
0.4 3
1+
Pr
4
1 1 5 5
0.62(402)2 (2962)3 402 8
= 0.3 + 1 1+ =181.1
2 4 282000
0.4 3
1+ (2962) 14
 Flow across Cylinder
• Solve for h:
W
Nu k f 181.1 0.1444 W
mK
h= = = 523 2
D 0.05 m m K

• Solve for heat transfer rate, Q:

W
Q = hA Ts − T∞ = 523 2 π 0.05 m 0.8 m 60 − 20 ℃
m K
𝑄 = 2.64 kW

• In this case, we need to remove the heat at the rate of 2.64 kW.

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 Flow across cylinders and spheres
Example 3: Heat Leaks into liquified propane (LPG) tank.

Propane is stored in a horizontal bullet tank with a diameter of 200

cm and length 5 m. The temperature on the surface of the tank is
10oC. On a particular day, wind at a speed 20 km/h blows across the
tank. If the average temperature of the wind is 30oC, determine the
heat transfer coefficient for heat convection onto the surface of the
tank.

Solutions

Given: Air, T∞ = 30ºC, V = 20 km/h, D = 200 cm, Ts = 10ºC.

Determine: The heat transfer coefficient of the wind.

Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya and Shafirah Samsuri 16
Solution
• Steps:
1. Determine Reynolds number: VD
• Use Tf for fluid properties for air : (10+30)/ 2 = 20 °C ReD =
ν
2. Determine Nusselt number using correlation for external flow over cylinder:
4
1 1 5 5
2
hD 0.62ReD Pr 3 ReD 8
Nu = = 0.3 + 1 1+
kf 2 4 282000
0.4 3
1 + Pr

3. Determine h and Q rate of heat transfer using Newton's law

• Q=hAs(Ts-T∞)

Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya and Shafirah Samsuri 17

Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya and Shafirah Samsuri 18
 Flow across cylinders and spheres
Example 3: Heat Leaks into liquified propane (LPG) tank.
Wind velocity, V = 20 km/h = 5.56 m/s. From table: n (20 °C) = 1.516×10-5 m2/s ; Pr=0.7309 ; k=0.02514 W/mK
• Step 1: The Reynolds Number
5.56 𝑚𝑠−1 × 2𝑚
• Re = 1.516×10 −5 𝑚2 𝑠−1 = 7.34 × 10
5

• Step 2: The Nusselt number

4
1 1 5 5
2
0.62ReD Pr3 ReD 8
• Nu= 0.3 + 1 1+
2 4 282000
0.4
1+ Pr 3
1 5/8 4/5
0.62 ×(7.34 × 105 )2 ×(0.7309)1/3 7.34 × 105
• Nu = 0.3 + 1/4 1+
282000
= 964.62
0.4
1+(0.7309)2/3

• Step 3: h & Q
ℎ𝐷
• Nu = ... → then h = 12.1 W/m2.K
𝑘
• Q=hAs(Ts-T∞)= 12.1×π×2×5(30-10)= 7618.5 W 19
 Example 4: Additional ( Flow over sphere)
A 25-cm-diameter stainless steel ball (ρ = 8055 kg/m3, Cp = 480 J/kg·°C) is
removed from the oven at a uniform temperature of 300°C. The ball is then
subjected to the flow of air at 1 atm pressure and 25°C with a velocity of 3
m/s. Determine the rate of heat transfer.
1
1 2
hD μ∞ 4
Nu = =2+ 0.4Re2D + 0.06Re3D Pr 0.4
kf μs
The fluid properties are evaluated at the free-stream temperature 𝑇∞ , except
for ms, which is evaluated at the surface temperature 𝑇𝑠 .
Step 1: Extract fluid properties from Table
Step 2: Determine Re
Step 3: Determine Nu
Step 4: Determine h and Q
Answer: h=13.6 W/m.K and Q= 734 W
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Wan Zaireen Nisa Yahya and Shafirah Samsuri 21
 Solutions
• Step 1: Extract fluid properties from Table
• Tair =T 25C , k=0.02551 W/m.K ; n = 1.562×10-5 m2/s ; Pr=0.7296 ; m= 1.849 ×10-5 kg/m.s

• Assume Ts= 300C ; m (300 C) = 2.934 ×10-5 kg/m.s

• Step 2: Determine Re
VD 3 𝑚/𝑠 ×0.25 𝑚
• ReD = == = 48015
ν 1.562×10−5 𝑚2 𝑠−1

• Step 3: Determine Nu 1
1 2
hD μ∞ 4
• Nu = = 2 + 0.4ReD + 0.06ReD Pr 0.4
2 3
= 133
kf μs

• Step 4: Determine h and Q

k 0.02551
• h = Nu f = 133 =13.6 W/m2.K
𝐷 0.25
• Q=hAs(Ts-T∞)= 13.6×4π×0.125×0.125 ×(300-25)= 734 W

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 Summary: External Forced Convection
Forced Fluid Reynolds
Velocity, V
Convection Temperature Number, Re
Given
Not Given Tf: flat plate; cylinder VLc ρVLc
Re = =
Ts and T∞: sphere v μ
Lc = L (flat plate)
Natural Lc = D (cylinder, sphere)
Newton’s Law of
Convection Cooling, Qconv
Qconv = hAs Ts − T∞

Calculate h Calculation of Nu Flow regime (laminar,

from Nu based on transitional, turbulent)
correlations
hLc
Nu =
k 23
 Summary: External Forced Convection
Configuration Equations

Flat Plate

Circular Cylinder RePr > 0.2

Non-circular Cylinder Please refer Slide #8

Sphere

Note: All properties are evaluated at film temperatures except sphere (T∞ and Ts)
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 Flow across tube bank
• Heat transfer across tube banks is important in various applications (e.g.,
steam generation in boiler, air cooling in air conditioners).
• Configuration of tube bundles:

• Transverse pitch, ST
• Longitudinal pitch, SL
• Diagonal pitch, SD
• Characteristic length: D

In-line Staggered Which configuration is expected

to give better heat transfer?
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 Flow across tube bank
• Maximum velocity, Vmax Configuration

In-line Staggered

All cases

ST Case 1 ST + D
Vmax = V SD >
2
ST − D

In-line Staggered
ST Case 2 ST + D
Vmax = V SD <
How can SD be determined? 2 SD − D 2

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 Flow across tube bank
• Correlation between NuD from ReD:
• All properties
evaluate at Tm
except Prs (at Ts)

𝑇𝑖 + 𝑇𝑒
𝑇𝑚 =
2
How to get Te?

27
 Flow across tube bank
• Tube bank with less than 16 rows:
• Correlations for NuD in Table 7-2 is only valid for more than 16 rows.
• For tube bank with < 16 rows:
F: correction factor

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 Flow across tube bank
• Temperature Profile in the tube bank
T Draw the temperature profile from Ti to Te
𝑇𝑠

Ts
𝑇𝑖 𝑇𝑒

x
What can we observe from the
fluid temperature that changes Definition
from Ti to Te? • Inlet fluid temperature, Ti
• Outlet fluid temperature, Te
• Surface fluid temperature, Ts
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 Flow across tube bank
• Heat transfer rate calculation: Ts − Ti − (Ts − Te )
∆TLM =
• Newton’s law of cooling based on ∆TLM ln
(Ts − Ti )
(Ts − Te )
∆TLM = log-mean temperature difference
• Exit temperature, Te:

cp is taken at T = Tm

Surface area, 𝐴𝑆 = 𝑁𝜋𝐷𝐿

Mass flow rate, 𝑚ሶ = 𝜌𝑉(𝑁𝑇 𝑆𝑇 𝐿)
ρ is taken at T = Ti Total number of tube, 𝑁
Number of tubes in transverse plane, 𝑁𝑇
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 Flow across tube bank
Example 5: In an industrial facility, air is to be preheated before entering a
furnace by geothermal water at 120 ºC flowing through the tubes of a tube
bank located in a duct. Air enters the duct at 20 ºC and 1 atm with a mean
velocity of 4.5 m/s, and flows over the tubes in normal direction. The outer
diameter of the tubes is 1.5 cm, and the tubes are arranged in-line with
longitudinal and transverse pitches of SL =ST = 5 cm. There are 6 rows in the
flow direction with 10 tubes in each row. Determine the rate of heat transfer
per unit length of the tubes. 𝑇𝑠 = 120C

𝑇𝑖 = 20C
V=4.5 m/s 𝑇𝑒

Total number of tube, 𝑁=6x10= 60 ST

SL
Number of tubes in transverse plane, 𝑁𝑇 = 10
31
SL =ST = 5 cm
 Flow across tube bank
1. Assume mean temperature = 60 oC
ρ = 1.059 kg/m3, v = 1.896 x 10-5 m2/s, Pr = 0.7202, Prs = Pr at 120 oC = 0.7073,
k = 0.02808 W/m∙K, cp = 1.007 kJ/kg.K.
2. Calculation of Vmax (in-line arrangement) and ReD:
ST 0.05 m
𝑉max = V= 4.5 m/s = 6.43m/s
ST − D 0.05 m − 0.015 m

𝑉max D 6.43 m/s × 0.015 m

Re𝐷 = = −5 2
= 5087
ν 1.896 × 10 m /s

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 Flow across tube bank
3. Calculation of Nusselt Number (from ReD = 5078):

As the number of rows, NL = 6, the corresponding correction factor, F =0.945

and the Nusselt number become
𝑁𝑢𝐷,𝑁𝐿 <16 = 𝐹𝑁𝑢𝐷 = 0.945 × 52.1 = 49.3

Substitution, Nu = hD
D
k
Nu D , N L 16 k 49.3  0.02808 W/m  K
h= = = 92.2 W/m 2  K
D 0.015 m
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 Flow across tube bank
4. Calculate Te:
The total number of tubes is N =NL x NT = 6 x 10 = 60. For a unit length of the tube
(L= 1 m), the heat transfer surface area and the mass flow rate of air (evaluated at
inlet) are:
As = NDL = 60  π  0.015m1m = 2.827m2

where mi = mass flow rate of the fluid (inlet) at T = 20oC.

→ ρi = 1.204 kg/m3.
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 Flow across tube bank
5. Check Te:
The exit temperature and log-mean temperature difference can be calculated as
follows:
𝐴𝑠 ℎ
𝑇𝑒 = 𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑠 − 𝑇𝑖 exp −
𝑚𝑐
ሶ 𝑝
Is the calculated
value of Te close to
the initially assumed
value of Te?

Tlm =
(Ts − Te ) − (Ts − Ti )
=
(120 − 29.11) − (120 − 20) ?
ln[(Ts − Te ) /(Ts − Ti )] ln[(120 − 29.11) /(120 − 20)]
= 95.4o C
35
 Flow across tube bank
6. Calculate Q:
Rate of heat transfer:

36
 Summary: Flow across tube bank
(1) Assume a value of Ti + Te
Tm =
Q = hAs ∆Tlm Te and calculate Tm 2

Q = mcp Te − Ti ST
Vmax = V
Ts − Ti − (Ts − Te ) (2) Check if it is ST − D
∆TLM =

(Repeat (1))
NOT EQUAL
(Ts − Ti ) aligned or staggered ST
ln Vmax = V
(Ts − Te ) 2 SD − D
(Vmax)
(6) Calculate Q Nuk f
** h=
(3) Calculate Nu and h ** D
If NL < 16: NuD,𝑁𝐿<16 = 𝐹NuD
EQUAL

based on (2)
As h
Te = Ts − Ts − Ti exp −
mc
ሶ p
(5) Check Te (4) Calculate Te 37
 Summary
Topic 5: Convective Heat Transfer: External Forced Convection
✓ Flat plate
✓ Circular and non-circular pipe
✓ Sphere
✓ Tube bank

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