E292 – Fluids and Thermodynamics

Introduction to Heat Transfer

There are three fundamental forms of heat transfer:

Conduction: heat transfer through non-moving materials (solids, confined gases, etc)

Convection: heat transfer through moving materials (liquids, gasses, etc)

Radiation: heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation (light, infrared heat, etc.)

The General Equation of Heat Transfer is:

�̇� = 𝑈𝐴(𝑇2 − 𝑇1), where

U = ‘The’ heat transfer coefficient, W/m2·K

This is the equation that both the conductive and convective

heat transfer equation (above and below) are built upon.

You will need this equation when dealing with the heat

losses/gains through windows and doors and a few other

places.

Only a few of the available materials are listed, on the left. As I am sure you can guess, there are much longer lists

of engineering materials available at aid in the design of any form of heat transfer device you might envision.

Example Conduction & Convection Heat Transfer Through a Plane (Flat) Wall

Thermal Resistance, Heat Transfer Rate & Temperature