How to calculate Nusselt number

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the Nusselt number (Nu) in various contexts, including a pipeline with liquid sodium and a heated aluminum plate in a room. Participants explore different equations and conditions affecting heat transfer, including forced and free convection scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a specific problem involving a 3-meter pipeline with liquid sodium, asking how to calculate the Nusselt number given certain temperatures and heat flux conditions.
  • Another participant suggests a general formula for Nusselt number as Nu=(h*Lc)/k, where k is thermal conductivity and Lc is a characteristic length.
  • Several equations for Nusselt number are provided, including the Colburn equation and the Dittus-Boelter equation, with conditions for their applicability noted.
  • Concerns are raised about the assumptions in the original problem, particularly regarding the lack of heat transfer through the outer wall and the nature of the convection (forced vs. free).
  • A participant clarifies that the pipe is insulated and that buoyancy-driven flow is present, which influences the heat transfer calculations.
  • Another participant introduces a new scenario involving an aluminum plate heated in a room, questioning how to calculate the Nusselt number and seeking information on the heat transfer coefficient (h) at room temperature.
  • A separate inquiry is made about calculating the Nusselt number for one wall of a room as a function of Rayleigh number, assuming other walls are insulated.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions of heat transfer, particularly regarding whether the flow is forced or free convection. There is no consensus on the best approach to calculate the Nusselt number for the scenarios presented, and multiple models and equations are discussed without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unclear definitions of flow conditions, assumptions about insulation, and the specific context of heat transfer in the scenarios presented. The applicability of various equations is contingent on the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers, which are not fully established in all cases.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in heat transfer calculations, particularly in fluid dynamics and thermal engineering, may find this discussion relevant. It may also benefit those working on practical applications involving Nusselt number in different geometries and conditions.

SeRGeiSarov
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Hello I need to calculate the Nusselt number for liquid sodium in a pipeline. Length of the pipeline is 3 meter. Diameter of the pipeline is 0.3 meter. Heat flux through outer surface of the pipeline is equal zero. Temperature on the right side and left side of the pipeline is 573 K and 773 K, respectively. Solution of the problem is free convective heat transfer.

Nu=\lambda_{eff}/\lambda

\lambda is heat flux coefficient for liquid sodium at 673 K (average temperature)
\lambda_{eff} is effective heat flux coefficient including effect of free convective heat transfer. \lambda_{eff}=Q\delta/S\DeltaT

Q is heat flux through surface
\delta is the length
S is cross sectional area of the pipe
\DeltaT is temperature difference (200 K)

Which the surface have be used for calculation of Q? (the right side, the left side, the outer surface) How to calculate Nusselt number?

TIA
 
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Nu=(h*Lc)/k
k is the thermal conductivity
Lc is the length
and i can say that the nusselt number is the ratio of convection and conduction ==>[q(conv)=h*DT]/[q(cond)=(k*DT)/L
 
The simplest equation is the Colburn equation
Nu_D = 0.023 {Re}^{4/5}_D {Pr}^{1/3}

The Dittus-Boelter equation is slightly different
Nu_D = 0.023 {Re}^{4/5}_D {Pr}^{n}
Where n is 0.4 for heating and 0.3 for cooling. These equations are valid for 0.7<Pr<160; Re>10,000; L/D > 10.

Another more complex correlation is attributed to Petukhov
{Nu}_D = \frac{ (f/8){Re}_D {Pr}}{ 1.07 + 12.7(f/8)^{1/2}({Pr}^{2/3} - 1)}
Where f is the friction factor. This correlation is good for 0.5<Pr<2000 and 10^4<Re<5x10^6. For smaller Reynolds numbers
{Nu}_D = \frac{ (f/8)({Re}_D-1000) {Pr}}{ 1.00 + 12.7(f/8)^{1/2}({Pr}^{2/3} - 1)}
This is valid for the same Prandlt number, but with Reynolds down to 3000.

For smooth pipes, one should use the following for the friction factor
f = (0.790 \ln{Re}_D - 1.64)^{-2}

For fully developed laminar flows in pipes with a circular cross section
{Nu}_D = 4.36 for uniform heating and
{Nu}_D = 3.66 for uniform Temperature imposed

All of this was taken from "Introduction to Heat Transfer" by Incropera and DeWitt, 4th edition.
 
You may want to restate your problem a little bit.
First of, there is no heat transfer through the outer wall. Does this means the pipe is insulated? Is the pipe heated surounded by insulation? Furthermore, what do you mean with free convection here? is there boyuancy driven flow? All equation given by Minger are for FORCED convection. What do you mean with left side and right side? Entrance and exit of the pipe?

If you know the entrance and exit temperature and flow conditions (Reynolds number) you can simply calculate the average Nu.
 
Oh, guess maybe I should have read the post a little better as well. Hoping that he means free convection outside of the pipe.
 
jaap de vries said:
You may want to restate your problem a little bit.
First of, there is no heat transfer through the outer wall. Does this means the pipe is insulated? Is the pipe heated surounded by insulation? Furthermore, what do you mean with free convection here? is there boyuancy driven flow? All equation given by Minger are for FORCED convection. What do you mean with left side and right side? Entrance and exit of the pipe?

If you know the entrance and exit temperature and flow conditions (Reynolds number) you can simply calculate the average Nu.

The pipe is insulated. There is boyuancy driven flow. On the left side and the right side only heat flux is set (temperature). Problem is solved into the pipe.
 
SeRGeiSarov said:
The pipe is insulated. There is boyuancy driven flow. On the left side and the right side only heat flux is set (temperature). Problem is solved into the pipe.



Hello Guys, I have a very simple situation but I am not an expert so I need a bit of help. I got a simple Aluminium plate with square dimension which I am heating in a room. How will I calculate the Nusselt number for that. I mean I know the simple solution is to use Nu=hL/k but somehow I think it is not that simple, and anybody can give me an idea or reference to find the value of h at room temperature in ambient air?
thanks in advance
 
hello all,

how can i calculate Nu number at 1 wall of a room as a function of Rayleigh number floor and ceiling, if i accept the other walls insulated?

Thanks for attention,

nasilbir
 

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