Heat Transfer Coefficient -Air Flow onto perpendicular plane

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the heat transfer coefficient for a horizontal surface with tubes, specifically focusing on air flow that is perpendicular to the surface. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of heat transfer, including the Nusselt number and flow characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario involving air flow from above a surface, initially mischaracterized as flow across a bank of tubes.
  • Another participant requests clarification and a diagram to better understand the problem.
  • A suggestion is made to look up impingement heat transfer, although its applicability to air flow rather than jets is questioned.
  • Participants propose starting from basic principles to estimate flow patterns and velocities, and to determine whether laminar or turbulent flow conditions apply.
  • One participant suggests that measuring airflow rate and temperature change could help calculate the power extracted from the system.
  • A caution is raised that calculations may only yield order-of-magnitude estimates due to unknown air velocities.
  • A specific heat transfer coefficient value is proposed as a starting point for practical testing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of certain heat transfer concepts and the methods for estimating the heat transfer coefficient. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their ability to visualize the problem and the potential complexity of calculating heat transfer coefficients due to unknown variables.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and practical applications of thermal engineering may find this discussion relevant.

Mitch1
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Hi All,

I have a situation were I need to evaluate the heat transfer coefficient of a horizontal surface. The surface has tubes within although I first used "flow across a bank of tubes", this has been untrue due to the air flow coming from above the surface flowing vertically (and perpendicular) to the surface. I cannot find anywhere, books or websites, where there are examples of this. Has anyone evaluated this before or know of any links to work out the Nusselt no. Etc...

Many thanks
 
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I can't visualise the problem from your description . Please describe further and post a clear diagram .
 
Hi Nidum, thanks for your reply - yes I can attach a sketch although I am not too sure how to do it on this forum - any ideas? (Apologies)
 
Use the upload button bottom right in answer box .
 
Thanks, rough sketch shows the air being forced into surface, this will create turbulent flow? But can't find anything on how to approach this and it is both linear and turbulent to some extent

Thanks
 

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Look up impingement heat transfer .
 
Is that not for just jets onto a heated surface? Rather than air?
Thanks again
 
Should not be too difficult to start from basics :

(1) Estimate what the flow pattern of air over your plate looks like and then estimate flow velocities at different radial distances from axis .

(2) Having done that determine whether laminar or turbulent flow conditions apply and then determine heat transfer conditions in circular zones at increasing radial distances .

An analytic solution is probably possible but a numerical solution might be more useful if you just want answers to a practical problem .
 
Thanks for this guidance - much appreciated

I will look into this as it is a practical problem

Thanks again
 
  • #10
If all of the air from the jet exits via the vents then can you work it out by measuring the flow rate and the temperature delta?
 
  • #11
The air isn't coming from the vents it is being extracted there. The air is coming from above the surface being blown downwards
 
  • #12
OK but you understand that by measuring the airflow rate and temperature change you can work out the power extracted.
 
  • #13
As a practical problem, with basically unknown air velocities everywhere, I'm afraid any calculation will be good to only an order of magnitude. I'd start with a heat transfer coefficient of 20 Btu/(hr.ft2.oF) and do some testing on a mock-up.
 

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