|| Jai Sri Gurudev ||

S J C Institute of Technology

Course Title : Conjugate Heat Transfer(CHT)

Course Code : 21AE71
Course Coordinator:
Dr. K S Madhu
Associate Professor
Department of Aeronautical Engineering
S J C Institute of Technology, Chickballapur
Conjugate Heat Transfer(CHT)-
21AE71

Course Code 21AE71 Total Hours of 40 hours

Pedagogy
CIE Marks 50 Total Marks 100
Teaching Hours/Week 3:1:0:0 Credits 03
(L:T:P:S)
SEE Marks 50 Exam Hours 03
Course Objectives:
This course will enable students
1. Understand what is conjugate heat transfer and its significance
2. Remember the basics principles of conjugate heat transfer phenomenon
3. Acquire the knowledge of solving the conjugate heat transfer problem

Teaching-Learning Process (General Instructions) These are sample Strategies,

which teacher can use to accelerate the attainment of the various course outcomes.
1. Teaching in classroom through Chalk, Talk and ICT.
2. Assignment of Home/field work on real-life problem.
3. Adoption of Project-based/Activity Based learning.
4. Practising the foundational knowledge.
Module-1
History, Conjugate problem, Body domain, fluid domain, initial , boundary and conjugate
conditions, Heat Transfer by Solids and Fluids, Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications
Module-2
Fourier’s law, Conduction processes, Thermal resistance, Fins, Heat equation and lumped
capacitance, Effective Heat Transfer
Module-3
Incompressible fluid flow, subsonic analysis, multiphase fluid flow analysis, static and
dynamic heat transfer, Fluid and Solid Interactions, Natural Convection, Forced Convection
Module-4
Radiative Heat Transfer, Elementary convection, including laminar and turbulent boundary
layers, Thermal radiation, including Stefan-Boltzmann law, Basic concepts of heat
exchanger.
Module-5
Construction of a general solution of Heat Conduction Equation, Factors of conjugation,
Solution of characteristic Problem – Harmonic Law of Oscillation, Universal Algorithm of
computation of the factor of conjugation, Nucleate boiling, Drop wise condensation,
Turbulent Heat Transfer
Assessment Details (both CIE and SEE)
The weightage of Continuous Internal Evaluation (CIE) is 50% and for Semester End Exam (SEE) is 50%.
The minimum passing mark for the CIE is 40% of the maximum marks (20 marks). A student shall be deemed to
have satisfied the academic requirements and earned the credits allotted to each subject/ course if the student
secures not less than 35% (18 Marks out of 50) in the semester-end examination (SEE), and a minimum of 40%
(40 marks out of 100) in the sum total of the CIE (Continuous Internal Evaluation) and SEE (Semester End
Examination) taken together Continuous Internal Evaluation:
Three Unit Tests each of 20 Marks (duration 01 hour)
1. First test at the end of 5th week of the semester
2. Second test at the end of the 10th week of the semester
3. Third test at the end of the 15th week of the semester
To assignments each of 10 Marks
1. First assignment at the end of 4th week of the semester
2. Second assignment at the end of 9th week of the semester
Group discussion/Seminar/quiz any one of three suitably planned to attain the COs and POs for 20 Marks
(duration 01 hours) 3.
At the end of the 13th week of the semester The sum of three tests, two assignments, and quiz/seminar/group
discussion will be out of 100 marks and will be scaled down to 50 marks (to have less stressed CIE, the portion
of the syllabus should not be common /repeated for any of the methods of the CIE. Each method of CIE should
have a different syllabus portion of the course). CIE methods /question paper is designed to attain the different
levels of Bloom’s taxonomy as per the outcome defined for the course.
Semester End Examination: Theory SEE will be conducted by University as per the scheduled timetable,
with common question papers for the subject (duration 03 hours) 1. The question paper will have ten
questions. Each question is set for 20 marks. 2. There will be 2 questions from each module. Each of
the two questions under a module (with a maximum of 3 sub-questions), should have a mix of topics
under that module. The students have to answer 5 full questions, selecting one full question from each
module.
 Course Outcomes: At the end of this course, students are able to

CO1: Understand the fundamentals of conjugate heat transfer

problems, body and fluid domains, and their applications in real-
world scenarios (L2)
CO2:Apply Fourier’s law and heat conduction principles to analyze
thermal resistance, fins, and effective heat transfer methods (L3)
CO3:Analyze incompressible and multiphase fluid flows, heat
transfer mechanisms in natural and forced convection (L4)
CO4:Illustrate radiative heat transfer, elementary convection
processes and the functioning of heat exchangers (L2)
CO5:Develop solutions for heat conduction equations and
understand advanced concepts like nucleate boiling,
condensation, and turbulent heat transfer (L6)
Suggested Learning Resources: Text Books
1 Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow by Suhas V Patankar , CRC Press
2 Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer by Dale Anderson,
Richard H. Pletcher, John C. Tannehill, Ramakanth Munipalli, Vijaya
Shankar
Reference Books
1. Fundamentals of Engineering Numerical Analysis by Parviz Moin
2. Computational Heat Transfer by Yogesh Jaluria and Kenneth E Torrance
Web links and Video Lectures (e-Resources):
https://nptel.ac.in/courses/112103297
Module-1
1.1 History
1.2 Conjugate Problem
1.3 Body Domain
1.4 Fluid Domain
1.5 Initial , Boundary and Conjugate Conditions
1.6 Heat Transfer by Solids and Fluids
1.7 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications
 CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER (CHT).

Conjugate heat transfer is a type of heat transfer analysis between solids and fluid(s).
This type of heat transfer includes both convection (between fluids) and conductive
(between solids) heat transfer, as well as both forced and natural convection.

heat transfer through a solid and a fluid, where the heat exchange occurs at the interface
between them. This concept became important as researchers sought to analyze complex
systems where conduction in solids and convection in fluids interact, such as in heat
exchangers, turbine blades, and electronic cooling
 1.1 Historical Development

1.1.1 Early Studies (19th century): The foundations of heat transfer were laid by
scientists like Joseph Fourier (Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, 1822) and Isaac
Newton (Newton's Law of Cooling, 1701). These studies focused primarily on
conduction and convection separately.
 1.1 Historical Development

1.1.2 Mid-20th Century: With the advent of computers and CFD methods,
conjugate heat transfer became an area of interest, particularly for solving
engineering problems in aerospace, nuclear reactors, and industrial equipment.
Numerical techniques allowed the coupling of conduction and convection,
addressing practical challenges of simultaneous heat transfer in different media.
 1.1 Historical Development

1.1.3 Modern CHT Models: Today, CHT is widely used in CFD simulations, with
software like ANSYS Fluent and Open FOAM providing robust tools to solve
problems involving complex geometries and high-temperature gradients in
coupled solid-fluid systems. This evolution has made CHT essential for
optimizing designs in various industries.
1.2 Conjugate Problem
A conjugate problem in the context of heat transfer and fluid dynamics refers to the
situation where heat transfer occurs simultaneously in different media,
typically a solid and a fluid, and the heat exchange between them must be solved
in a coupled manner. These problems require solving both the conduction
equation (in the solid) and the convection equation (in the fluid), along with the
energy balance at the interface.

Example of a Conjugate Problem:

In a heat exchanger, where a hot fluid flows inside a tube and transfers heat to the
tube wall through convection, while the tube conducts this heat and transfers it to a
cooler fluid on the other side through convection again, both the solid and fluid
domains must be considered together.

In the fluid: The heat is transported by convection (governed by the Navier-Stokes

equations coupled with the energy equation).

In the solid: The heat is transported by conduction (described by Fourier's law).

At the interface between the fluid and solid, the heat flux must be continuous,
meaning the heat leaving the fluid must equal the heat entering the solid.
Governing Equations:

Applications:
•Heat exchangers
•Cooling of electronic components
•Turbine blades in gas engines
•Nuclear reactor design
Conjugate problems are essential in CFD as they accurately simulate scenarios where heat
transfer and fluid flow interact across multiple domains.
1.3 Body Domain

Body Domain Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) refers to the combined analysis of heat
transfer in solid and fluid regions within a single system, particularly in applications
where heat is exchanged across the boundaries of solid and fluid domains. This is
crucial in engineering scenarios such as electronic cooling, HVAC systems, and heat
exchangers, where solid components (like heatsinks or walls) interact with fluid flows
(like air or water).
Key Concepts in Body Domain CHT
Solid Domain:
Heat Conduction: Heat transfer within the solid material primarily occurs through
conduction. The governing equation is based on Fourier's Law of Heat
Conduction, which can be represented as:
∇⋅(k∇T)=0
Here, ∇T is the temperature, and k is the thermal conductivity of the solid.
Boundary Conditions: At the interface with the fluid, the heat flux and temperature
continuity must be satisfied.
 1.4 Fluid Domain
The fluid domain in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) refers to the region of interest where
the fluid flow occurs and is simulated. It includes all the boundaries and internal areas where
the fluid (e.g., air, water, or gas) moves, and where the governing equations of fluid motion
(such as the Navier-Stokes equations) are applied.
Key Characteristics of the Fluid Domain:
a) Flow Dynamics: The fluid domain captures properties like velocity, pressure, density, and
temperature of the fluid as it moves.
b) Governing Equations: The fluid domain is governed by continuity, momentum, and energy
equations that model flow behaviors like convection, diffusion, turbulence, etc.
c) Boundary Conditions: The boundaries of the fluid domain include inlets, outlets, walls, and
symmetry planes, each requiring specific conditions (e.g., inlet velocity, outlet pressure, no-
slip walls) to define the problem.
Example:
In an aircraft wing simulation, the fluid domain would be the region around the wing where air
flows, and the solid domain would be the wing itself. The fluid domain is where the air velocity,
pressure, and temperature are calculated to understand aerodynamic forces on the wing.
The Navier-Stokes equations describe the motion of fluid substances
like liquids and gases and are a fundamental set of equations in fluid
dynamics. They are based on Newton’s second law of motion and
incorporate principles of conservation of momentum, mass, and
sometimes energy, to predict the behavior of a fluid under various forces.
Components of the Navier-Stokes Equations
The Navier-Stokes equations consist of partial differential equations for fluid velocity and
pressure fields. Here’s a breakdown of its main components:
a)Continuity Equation (Conservation of Mass)
For an incompressible fluid (where density is constant), the continuity equation ensures that
mass is conserved. This can be expressed as:
∇⋅u⃗=0
where u⃗ is the fluid velocity vector, and ∇⋅u⃗ represents the divergence of the velocity field,
indicating no net gain or loss of mass in the flow.
Momentum Equation (Conservation of Momentum)
The momentum equation is derived from Newton's second law, applied to a fluid
element. In vector form, the Navier-Stokes equation for an incompressible,
Newtonian fluid is:
Energy Equation (Optional)
In many cases, an additional energy equation is coupled with Navier-Stokes equations
for compressible flows or flows with significant temperature changes. This equation
accounts for energy conservation and includes terms for heat conduction, viscous
dissipation, and energy transfer.

Applications of Navier-Stokes Equations

Engineering: Designing efficient aircraft, predicting vehicle drag, and
optimizing ship hulls for fluid resistance.
Environmental Science: Modeling ocean currents, atmospheric circulation,
and pollutant dispersion.
Medicine: Simulating blood flow in the circulatory system to understand
cardiovascular dynamics.
1.5 Initial , Boundary and Conjugate Conditions

1.5.1. Initial Conditions:

Initial conditions define the state of the system at the start of the simulation. For fluid
dynamics, this includes specifying the values of variables like velocity, pressure,
temperature, and density at time t=0. These conditions are critical for transient (time-
dependent) simulations.
Example: In a flow simulation, the initial velocity field might be set to zero or a specified
value, indicating the fluid's velocity at the beginning of the analysis.
1.5.2 Boundary Conditions:
Boundary conditions define how the fluid interacts with the
boundaries of the domain and are necessary to solve the governing
equations in CFD. Common types include:
i) Dirichlet Condition (fixed value):
Description: Sets a fixed value for a variable, such as
temperature, pressure, or velocity, at the boundary.
Usage: Often applied at solid walls or inlet boundaries where
values are known, such as specifying a velocity or temperature
at an inflow boundary.

ii) Neumann Condition (fixed flux):

Description: Specifies the gradient of a variable at the
boundary, such as a heat flux, rather than its value.
Usage: Commonly used for no-flux or insulated boundaries in
heat transfer problems. In CFD, it’s often applied to denote zero
normal gradients, which can imply no flux across the boundary.
iii)Robin Condition (convective):
Description: Combines Dirichlet and Neumann conditions,
specifying a linear combination of the function and its
gradient.
Usage: Used in cases where boundary interaction is a
combination of convection and diffusion, such as heat
transfer problems involving convective surfaces.

iv) Slip and No-Slip Boundary Condition

Description: In the no-slip condition, the velocity of a fluid at a
solid boundary is zero, indicating zero relative movement. In
the slip condition, tangential velocity gradients are zero,
allowing fluid to "slip" along the boundary without friction.
Usage: The no-slip condition is standard at solid walls in
viscous flows. The slip condition may be applied at boundaries
with negligible friction, such as on very smooth surfaces or at
certain high Reynolds numbers.
 v)Periodic Boundary Condition
Description: Assumes the solution is periodic across a
boundary, making the values on one boundary "wrap
around" to the opposite boundary.
Usage: Useful in simulations where the flow is repetitive
or the domain represents a segment of a larger periodic
structure, such as in turbomachinery or grid-like arrays.

vi) Symmetry Boundary Condition

Description: Assumes there is no flow or flux across the
boundary, reflecting a mirror-like symmetry.
Usage: Applied along symmetry planes to reduce
computational load, often used in flows where only half or a
portion of the domain needs to be simulated due to
symmetric behavior.
vii) Inlet and Outlet Boundary Conditions
Inlet Conditions: Define the properties of incoming fluid, such as
velocity, pressure, or temperature.
Examples: Velocity inlet (specifies velocity profile), pressure
inlet (specifies pressure at entry).
Outlet Conditions: Define the conditions at the exit of the domain.
Examples: Pressure outlet (specifies pressure at the outlet),
outflow boundary (assumes the outflow has no pressure
gradient).
Usage: These are essential in controlling the behaviour of fluid
entering and leaving the simulation domain.
viii) Far-Field or Free-Stream Boundary Condition
Description: Applied to simulate an open environment far from
the objects of interest, typically involving ambient pressure and
temperature values.
Usage: Used in external aerodynamics problems, such as
around aircraft, where the boundary represents open space
with specified free-stream conditions.
 1.5.3. Conjugate Conditions:
Conjugate conditions apply in conjugate heat transfer problems, where heat transfer
between two different domains (solid and fluid) must be solved simultaneously.
Interface Boundary Condition: At the interface between the solid and fluid domains,
the conditions ensure the continuity of heat flux and temperature. These conditions
must satisfy:
Continuity of Heat Flux: The heat leaving the fluid must equal the heat entering
the solid at the interface.
Continuity of Temperature: The temperature at the solid-fluid interface must
be the same on both sides.

Example: In a cooling system where fluid flows over a heated solid surface, the
temperature and heat flux must match at the solid-fluid interface to accurately simulate
the heat transfer
 1.6 Heat Transfer by Solids and Fluids
Heat transfer is the process of energy exchange between physical systems due to temperature
differences. It occurs through conduction, convection, and radiation, but the mechanisms
vary in solids and fluids.
1. 6.1 Heat Transfer in Solids (Primarily by Conduction)
In solids, heat is transferred mainly through conduction, where heat energy moves from high-
temperature regions to low-temperature regions due to the vibrations of atoms or molecules
and free electron movements in conductive materials (like metals).
Conduction Equation (Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction): q=−ks∇T

Mechanism: The heat transfer rate

depends on the material's thermal
conductivity, with metals being good
conductors and insulators (like wood or
plastic) having low thermal conductivity.

Example: Heat transfer through the wall of a building or in turbine blades.

 1.6.2 Heat Transfer in Fluids (Mainly by Convection and Conduction)

In fluids (liquids and gases), heat transfer occurs through both convection and conduction,
with convection often being the dominant mode of heat transfer.
Convection:
Convection is the transfer of heat due to the bulk movement of fluid. It can be classified as:
Natural Convection: Driven by buoyancy forces due to temperature differences (e.g., warm
air rising).
Forced Convection: Occurs when fluid motion is induced by an external source like a fan or
pump (e.g., water flowing over a heated surface).
Convection Equation:
Conduction in Fluids:
Fluids also conduct heat,
though much less
efficiently than solids.
The same Fourier's law
applies, but fluids
generally have lower
thermal conductivity.
 1.6.3 Combined Heat Transfer in Solid-Fluid Systems
(Conjugate Heat Transfer)

In many practical systems, heat transfer occurs between solids and fluids
simultaneously, referred to as conjugate heat transfer (CHT). This involves both
conduction in solids and convection in fluids, with heat transfer occurring at the
interface.
Conjugate Problem Example:
Cooling of electronic components: Heat generated by the solid component
(chip) is conducted to its surface and transferred to the surrounding air
through convection.
Heat exchangers: Fluids exchange heat across a solid boundary (like a pipe
wall), where conduction occurs in the solid wall, and convection occurs in the
fluid.
1.7 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications
(CHT) is widely used in engineering applications where both solid and
fluid domains are involved in heat exchange. In these systems, heat is
transferred through conduction in solids and convection in fluids,
with the interaction between them playing a critical role in system
performance.
Common Applications of Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT):
i. Heat Exchangers
Application: Heat exchangers are devices designed to
transfer heat between two or more fluids without mixing
them. The fluids can be in direct contact with a solid
surface (e.g., a tube or plate), and heat is transferred
across this surface.
Conjugate Heat Transfer: Heat flows through the solid
walls of the exchanger (conduction), while convection
transfers heat between the fluids and the solid surface.
Example: In shell and tube heat exchangers, hot fluid
flows through tubes, transferring heat to the tube walls by
convection. This heat is then conducted through the walls
and transferred to the cold fluid outside the tubes via
convection.
ii. Cooling of Electronic Devices
Application: Effective cooling is essential for maintaining optimal performance and
prolonging the lifespan of electronic components such as microchips, power
electronics, and processors.
Conjugate Heat Transfer: Heat generated by the solid components (chips) is conducted
through the solid material to the surface, where it is dissipated into the surrounding
fluid (air or coolant) by convection. Heat sinks are often used to increase the surface
area for better heat dissipation.
Example: CPU cooling involves heat conduction through the processor's heat sink and
subsequent heat transfer to the surrounding air via forced convection using a fan.
iii. Turbine Blade Cooling
• Application: In gas turbines or jet engines, the turbine blades are exposed
to extremely high temperatures from combustion gases. Efficient cooling is
necessary to prevent blade damage and maintain engine efficiency.
• Conjugate Heat Transfer: Heat is transferred from the hot gases (fluid) to
the blade surface via convection, conducted through the solid blade, and
removed by coolant flowing through internal channels inside the blade
(forced convection).
• Example: Film cooling of turbine blades, where cooling air is passed
through internal channels and exits through holes on the blade surface,
cooling both by conduction inside the blade and convection on the
external surface.
iv. Automotive Radiators
Application: In cars, radiators dissipate heat from the engine
coolant to the atmosphere, maintaining engine temperature within
safe limits.
Conjugate Heat Transfer: The hot coolant transfers heat to the
solid radiator walls through convection. The heat is then conducted
through the radiator material and dissipated to the air outside
through convection.
Example: In a car radiator, heat from the coolant is conducted
through metal fins and then transferred to the surrounding air as it
passes through the radiator.
v. Nuclear Reactor Cooling
Application: Nuclear reactors generate significant amounts of
heat, and safe, efficient cooling is essential to prevent
overheating and potential accidents.
Conjugate Heat Transfer: Heat generated by nuclear fission in
the solid fuel rods is conducted through the fuel rod walls and
removed by coolant (water or gas) flowing around the rods by
convection.
Example: In a pressurized water reactor (PWR), heat from the
nuclear fuel is transferred to the water coolant, which is then
conducted through the reactor core walls and removed via
convection.
vi. Building Insulation and HVAC Systems
Application: In buildings, heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning (HVAC) systems manage thermal
comfort and energy efficiency by controlling heat
exchange between the building's interior and the
external environment.
Conjugate Heat Transfer: Heat is conducted through
walls, windows, and roofs (solid domain) and
exchanged with the air inside or outside the building
via convection.
Example: Double-glazed windows where heat is
conducted through the glass layers and transferred
to the surrounding air by convection. Insulating
materials reduce heat conduction, improving energy
efficiency.
Question bank
Module -1
Q.
Questions Bloom’s LL COs
No.
Recall the historical significance of Fourier's Law in heat transfer analysis development.
1 L1 CO1
Identify the types of boundary conditions commonly used in heat transfer, providing one example of each. L1
2 CO1
Explain a conjugate heat transfer problem. How does the interaction between a solid and a fluid domain
3 impact the overall heat transfer performance in a conjugate problem? L2 CO1
Describe the concept of a fluid domain in the context of heat transfer analysis. L2 CO1
4
Summarize the role of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in modern engineering applications. L2 CO1
5
Use initial conditions to demonstrate why they are necessary in transient heat transfer problems. L3
6 CO1
Illustrate the role of conjugate boundary conditions in heat transfer between a solid and fluid interface with
7 L3 CO1
a real-world example.
Compare and contrast the key differences between heat transfer mechanisms in solids and fluids.
8 L4 CO1
Analyze how different types of boundary conditions can impact the results of a heat transfer analysis. L4 CO1
9
Examine how the Navier-Stokes equations model fluid flow, detailing their significance in fluid dynamics. L4 CO1
10
Assess the importance of Fourier’s Law in the development of modern heat transfer methods and its CO1
11 relevance to conjugate heat transfer problems. L5

Evaluate the effectiveness of different Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods in solving complex CO1
12 L5
engineering problems.
Design a conceptual model of a conjugate heat transfer problem involving both solid and fluid domains, CO1
13 and outline the initial and boundary conditions required for analysis. L6

Propose new applications or improvements to Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) analysis in emerging CO1
14 engineering fields, supporting your proposal with existing CHT applications. L6

Develop a case study that demonstrates the role of the Navier-Stokes equations in analyzing complex fluid CO1
15 L6
flow scenarios in engineering.
Thank You
Module-2
– Fourier’s law
– Conduction processes
– Thermal resistance
– Fins
– Heat equation
– lumped capacitance
– Effective Heat Transfer
Fourier’s Law of Heat Conduction