Find the convective heat transfer coefficient

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient (h) for petrol in a flow scenario, likely through a pipe. Participants are exploring the application of relevant equations and parameters, including the Reynolds number and thermal conductivity, as part of a heat transfer problem in chemical engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an initial calculation for the Reynolds number (Re) and the convective heat transfer coefficient (h), expressing concern about the magnitude of the result.
  • Another participant confirms the calculations appear reasonable but suggests that the Reynolds number might be low, providing their own calculation that yields a higher value.
  • A third participant questions the values used for the Reynolds number calculation, indicating potential discrepancies in the parameters.
  • A fourth participant shares their own calculation of the Reynolds number using different values, resulting in a significantly different outcome.
  • A fifth participant calculates the convective heat transfer coefficient using a textbook reference, arriving at a value that is higher than the initial calculation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct values for the Reynolds number or the convective heat transfer coefficient, with multiple competing calculations and interpretations presented.

Contextual Notes

There are variations in the parameters used for calculations, such as viscosity and density, which may affect the results. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the appropriate values and methods for determining the Reynolds number and convective heat transfer coefficient.

Carlo09
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Ok it's my first time here and I was hoping to get some help on some questions I have been given. I am a first year chem eng and I'm finding the work pretty hard so any help at all will be useful, thanks.

I need to find the convective heat transfer coefficient, h for petrol using this equation:

hD/Lamdaf = 0.37 Re^0.6

so using information I am given:

D = 3mm = 0.003m
Lamdaf (thermal conductivity) = 0.145 w/m k
(M)=viscosity = 0.0006 Pa s
u=Velocity of petrol = 19.2 m/s
P=density of petrol = 737.22 kg/m^3

Ok so to calculate Re I am using: Dup/(M) = (0.003*19.2*737.22)/0.0006 = 70773.12

Is this correct so far?

Then I put this back into the equation and rearrange for h which I get to be =14533.475! w/m^2 k

Is this correct because it seems very big to me! if not please can someone point me into the right direction... thank you very much!
 
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I'm assuming this is flow through a pipe? You seem to have run the numbers correctly, and that convective coefficient doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility to me.

Your Reynold's number does seem a bit low, I caluclated 126,500 but I might have used some fuzzy numbers in there.
 
It says the temperature of petrol is monitored by a thermocouple in the flow, so I'm guessing pipes?

How did you get your Re at that value? Have i used the wrong values to calculate it?

Thank you for your help
 
I calculated the Reynold's number using the equation:

Re_{D}=\frac{\rho*u_{m}*D}{\mu}

where
\rho=719\frac{kg}{m^{3}}
u_{m}=19.2\frac{m}{s}
D=3mm
\mu=3.3*10^{-4}Pa*s

With these inputs the Reynold's number works out to 125,200.
 
So since I was a third of the way there anyway, I went ahead and tried calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient. The equations I used are out of my heat transfer textbook, "Introduction to Heat Transfer" by Incropera and DeWitt.

The answer I got was h= 30,950 W/m^2*K

I attached the MathCAD sheet I used to calculate it rather than trying to type it out in Latex.
 

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