How do you head up a big can of plastic?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Dickie B
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Head Plastic
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the thermal dynamics of a polypropylene cylinder with a diameter of 1 meter and a length of 1.25 meters, initially at 100°C, placed in a 135°C heated room. The lumped capacitance model is suggested as a starting point to estimate the time required for the cylinder to reach thermal equilibrium with the surrounding air. The Biot number must be calculated to determine if the lumped capacitance model is applicable; if not, more complex models that consider temperature gradients are necessary for accurate predictions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal conductivity and heat transfer principles
  • Familiarity with the lumped capacitance model in thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of Biot number calculations
  • Experience with temperature gradient analysis in materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the lumped capacitance model and its applications in heat transfer
  • Learn how to calculate the Biot number for different geometries
  • Explore detailed heat transfer models that account for temperature gradients
  • Investigate the thermal properties of polypropylene and its behavior under varying temperatures
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, thermodynamics students, and professionals involved in material science or thermal management who are interested in heat transfer processes and modeling temperature changes in materials.

Dickie B
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I have a cylinder of plastic (polypropylene). It is 1 meter in diameter and 1.25 meters long. It starts out at an even temperature of 100 C throughout. I put it into a 135 deg heated room with lots of air moving around it, and I hold it in the air so that every surface is exposed to the hot air. How long will it take for the plastic cylinder (inside and out) to reach the temperature of the room?
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
You could start with the lumped capacitance model and see of your Biot number is within limits. If not, you will need some more detailed models that account for the temperature gradient.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K