Heat loss through an insulated pipe

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating heat loss through an insulated pipe using Newton's law of cooling. The heat loss per length of the pipe is shown to be inversely proportional to the expression \(\frac{1}{hr} + \frac{1}{k} \ln(\frac{r}{R})\). Key equations referenced include the heat flux equation \(\vec{J} = -\kappa \nabla T\) and the thermal diffusion equation \(\nabla^{2} T = - \frac{C}{\kappa} \frac{\partial T}{\partial t}\). The solution involves determining the temperature distribution \(T(r')\) and the rate of heat loss \(\stackrel{.}{Q} = 2\pi r L J\).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's law of cooling
  • Familiarity with heat flux equations
  • Knowledge of thermal diffusion equations
  • Basic concepts of steady-state heat transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of heat loss in cylindrical coordinates
  • Learn about Fourier number and its application in heat transfer
  • Explore the implications of thermal conductivity (\(k\)) in insulation materials
  • Investigate numerical methods for solving the thermal diffusion equation
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Students and professionals in thermal engineering, mechanical engineering, and anyone involved in heat transfer analysis or insulation design.

yoghurt54
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Homework Statement



A pipe of radius R is maintained at temperature T. It is covered in insulation and the insulated pipe has radius r. Assume all surfaces lose heat through Newton's law of cooling

\vec{J} = \vec{h} \Delta T, where the magnitude h is assumed to be constant.

Show that the heat loss per length of pipe is inversely proportional to

\frac{1}{hr} + \frac{1}{k} ln(\frac{r}{R})

Homework Equations



I guess that

\vec{J} = -\kappa \nabla T

is useful, as is the thermal diffusion equation:

\nabla^{2} T = - \frac{C}{\kappa} \frac{\partial T}{\partial t}

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm guessing that this is the steady state, and that because there's no azimuthal or translational variance in temperature, then we can find T(r') to be:

T'(r') = T - constant \times ln(\frac{r'}{R})

If we define the length of the pipe to be L and the rate of heat loss to be

\stackrel{.}{Q} = 2\pi r L J

but I have no idea where to proceed from here.
 
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I'm guessing that it's related to the thermal diffusion equation and setting it up in terms of the Fourier number but I'm not quite sure. Any help is appreciated!
 

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