Unsteady State Conduction

Evelyn R. Laurito
Lani Pestano
Ch.E. 206
 Lecture Objectives
 To understand the concept of unsteady state
conduction
 To study the case of unidirectional unsteady state
conduction
 To understand how to use Geankoplis Charts in
solving unidirectional unsteady state conduction
problems
 Gurney and Lurie Charts
 Heisler Chart
 Chart for Average Temperature
 Chart for Semiinfinite solid
 To understand how to use Numerical Methods in
solving unidirectional unsteady state conduction
problems
 Unsteady State Conduction
 This happens when the temperature gradient across
the solid changes with time.
 This may be due to unstable boundary temperatures
at startup, sudden temperature fluctuations during
steady state conditions, or internal generation of
heat.
 Sample Cases:
 Startup of a Furnace
 Heat Treatment of Solids
 Deep Oil Frying
 Change of Weather
 Unidirectional Unsteady State Case
A = ∆y ∆z Solid properties: ρ, cP
∆z V = ∆x ∆y ∆z Mass = ∆x ∆y ∆z ρ

qin qout Heat Balance Across ∆x:

∆y
qin - qout = Rate of heat accumulation
Using Fourier’s Law:
∆x
δT
x x+∆x qin = - k ∆y ∆z δx x

δT
qout = - k ∆y ∆z
δx x +∆x

δT
Rate of heat accumulation = ∆x ∆y ∆z ρ cP
δt
 Unidirectional Unsteady State Case
The Heat Balance becomes:
δT δT δT
- k ∆y ∆z δx x - - k ∆y ∆z = ∆x ∆y ∆z ρ cP
δx x +∆x δt

Simplifying:
δT δT
k -
δT δx x +∆x δx x k
= ρc but = α
δt P ∆x ρ cP
From Calculus: δT δT
-
δx x +∆x δx x δ2T
=
∆x δx2
Final Equation: δT δ2 T
= α
δt δx2
 Unidirectional Unsteady State Case
δT δ2 T
Solution of: = α
δt δx2
a) Depends on solid geometry
b) Requires PDE solution methods that results into
Fourier series solutions that are tedious to evaluate
c) May be simplified by the use of charts or numerical methods

Use of Charts:
a) Gurnie-Lurie Charts – to determine point temperatures
b) Heisler Charts – to determine central temperatures
c) Average Temperature Chart
d) Chart for Semiinfinite Solids
Geankoplis Charts
 Gurney-Lurie Charts
 Fig. 5.3-5/340 for large flat plate
 Fig. 5.3-7/343 for long cylinder
 Fig. 5.3-9/345 for sphere
 Heisler Chart
 Fig. 5.3-6/341 for large flat plate
 Fig. 5.3-8/344 for long cylinder
 Fig. 5.3-10/346 for sphere
 Fig. 5.3-13/349 for Ave. Solid Temperature
 Fig. 5.3-3/337 for Semi-infinite solid
Nomenclature
 Gurney-Lurie and Heisler Charts:
 To = temperature at t(time)= 0 (uniform)
 T1 = new and constant surface temperature
 x1 = ½ plate thickness, outer radius of cylinder or sphere
 α = constant thermal diffusivity
 X = α t/ x12 : relative time
 x = distance from plate center or any radius of a cylinder or
a sphere
 n = x/x1: relative position
 T = point temperature at position x and time t
 Y = (T1-T)/(T1-To) :unaccomplished temp. change
 h = convective heat transfer coefficient
 m = k/(hx1) : relative resistance
Nomenclature
 Average Temperature Chart
 To = temperature at t(time)= 0 (uniform)
 T1 = new and constant surface temperature
 Tav = average solid temperature at time t
 E = (T1-Tav)/(T1-To)
 a = ½ plate thickness, outer radius of cylinder or
sphere
 b = ½ plate width
 c = ½ plate length, ½ cylinder length
Nomenclature
 Chart for Semi-infinite solid
 Semi-infinite solid – solid where the unidirectional conductive

heat transfer is infinite (Ex. Ground)

T −T0
erfc
x  − exp h⋅ αt  x + h⋅ αt  ⋅ erfc x + h ⋅ αt 
T1−T0
1−Y   k  k
  k

 2⋅ αt    αt   2⋅ αt 

 To = initial uniform solid temperature

 T1 = constant ambient temperature to which solid surface is
exposed
 T = temperature of solid at position x
 1- Y = (T-To)/(T1-To): Ordinate
 h(αt)0.5/k : convective parameter
 x/[2 (αt)0.5]: Abscissa
Problems from Geankoplis
 Exercises:
 5.3-5 (Plate)
 5.3-7 (Long Cylinder)
 5.3-9 (Sphere)
 Find the average solid temperature for all of the
above cases
 5.3-3
 Homework:
 Geankoplis: 5.3-2;5.3-4;5.3-6;5.3-8;5.3-10
(pages 375-377)
 Foust: 11.18;11.20;11.21(page 231)
 5.3-5 Cooling a Slab of Meat

A slab of meat 25.4 mm thick originally at a uniform

temperature of 10oC is to be cooked from both sides
until the center reaches 121oC in an oven at 177oC. The
convection coefficient can be assumed constant at 25.6
W/m2-K. Neglect any latent heat changes and calculate
the time required. The thermal conductivity is 0.69 W/
m-K and the thermal diffusivity 5.85x10-4m2/h.
Solution for 5.3-5
Given:
t= 25.4 mm
To=10oC
T=121oC (Center T) at x1
T1=177oC
h=25.6 W/m2-K
k=0.69 W/m-K
α=5.85x10-4m2/h

Required: t= ?
 Solution for 5.3-5
x1=12.7mm
x=25.4mm

k 0.69
T1 − T m= =
Y= hx 1 ( 25.6 )( 0.0127 )
T1 − To
m = 2.122
177 − 121
=
177 − 10 αt
X=
x12
Y = 0.335
5.85 x10 −4 t
3 .2 = t = 0.882h
(12.7 1000 ) 2
 5.3-7 Cooling of a Steel Rod

A long steel rod 0.305 m in diameter is initially at a

temperature of 588K. It is immersed in an oil bath
maintained at 311K. The surface convective coefficient
is 125 W/m2-K. Calculate the temperature at the center
of the rod after 1 h. The average physical properties of
the steel are k=38 W/m-K and α=0.0381m2/h
Solution for 5.3-7
Given:
D= 0.305 m
To=588 K
T1=311 K
h=125 W/m2-K
t=1 h
k=38 W/m-K
α=0.0381 m2/h

Required: T at the center

 Solution for 5.3-7

x 0 =0
n= =
x1 ( 0.0381 2)
T1 − T
k 0.69 Y=
m= = = 2.122 T1 − To
hx 1 ( 25.6)( 0.0127 )
311 − T
0.29 =
m2 311 − 588
αt 0.0381 (1h)
X= 2 = h = 1.6383
x1 ( 0.305m 2) 2 T = 391K
 5.3-9 Temp. of Oranges on Trees During
Freezing Weather

In orange-growing areas, the freezing of the

oranges on the trees during cold nights is economically
important. If the oranges are initially at a temperature
of 21.1oC, calculate the center temperature of the
orange if exposed to air at –3.9oC for 6 h. The oranges
are 102 mm in diameter and the convective coefficient
is estimated as 11.4W/m2-K. The thermal conductivity
k is 0.431 W/m-K and α=4.65x10-4m2/h. Neglect any
latent heat effects.
Solution for 5.3-9
Given:
D= 102 m ∴x=102/2=51mm
To=21.1oC=294.1K
T1=-3.9oC=269.1K
h=11.4 W/m2-K
t=6 h
k=0.431 W/m-K
α=4.65x10-4 m2/h

Required: T at the center

 Solution for 5.3-9
m2 From Fig. 5.3-10: Y = 0.05
αt
4.65 x10 −4
( 6h)
X= 2 = h = 1.07 T1 − T
Y=
x1 ( 51 1000 ) 2
T1 − To
W
0.431 269.1− T
k = mK = 0.74 0.05 =
m=
hx 1  W  51  269.1− 294.1
 11 .4 2 
m 
 m K  1000 
T = 270.35K

T = −2.65 o C
 5.3-3 Cooling a Slab of Aluminum

A large piece of aluminum that can be

considered a semi-infinite solid initially has a uniform
temperature of 505.4K. The surface is suddenly
exposed to an environment at 338.8K with a surface
convection coefficient of 455W/m2-K. Calculate the
time in hours for the temperature to reach 388.8 K at a
depth of 25.4 mm. The average physical properties are
α=0.340m2/h and k=208W/m-K.
Solution for 5.3-3
Given:
D= 0.305 m
To=505.4 K
T1=338.8 K
T=388.8K when x=25.4mm
h=455 W/m2-K
k=208 W/m-K
α=0.304 m2/h

Required: time in hours for the temperature to reach

388.8K at a depth of 25.4 mm
 Solution for 5.3-9
T − To 388.8 − 505.4 From Fig. 5.3-10: Y = 0.05
= = 0.7
T1 − To 338.8 − 505.4

25.4
x m
X=
2 αt X = 1000 = 0.74 269.1− T
2 0.340 t 0.05 =
269.1− 294.1
W  m 2 
455 2  0.340 ( t ) T = 270.35K
h αt m K  s 

=
k W T = −2.65 o C
208
mK