What are the real-world applications of convection?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the real-world applications of convection, specifically focusing on both natural and forced convection in various contexts, including industrial and everyday scenarios. Participants explore the significance of convection in heat transmission processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the applications of convection beyond common examples related to air and water, seeking insights into its relevance in industrial machines and daily life.
  • Another participant inquires whether the discussion pertains to natural convection or forced convection.
  • A participant indicates a preference for discussing natural convection and highlights its importance in atmospheric circulation and heat exchange equipment in chemical and power generation plants.
  • References to specific texts are provided for further exploration of the topic, suggesting a depth of study in the area of convection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express interest in both natural and forced convection, but the discussion remains open-ended regarding specific applications and examples, with no consensus reached on particular instances.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of natural and forced convection may not be fully articulated, and the discussion does not resolve the extent of applications in various fields.

LordWhiplash
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TL;DR
Where do we find the use of less conventional fluid convection currents in everyday life?
Hello guys, I'm a physics graduate student and recently I've questioned myself about convection when reading about heat transmission processes.

At least throughout my life, whenever I heard someone talk about convection, there were examples related to air and water convection currents, however, this effect is applicable to any fluid. So I would like to know in which interesting and important situations this phenomenon is present, either in industrial machines or in everyday life.
 
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LordWhiplash said:
Summary:: Where do we find the use of less conventional fluid convection currents in everyday life?

Hello guys, I'm a physics graduate student and recently I've questioned myself about convection when reading about heat transmission processes.

At least throughout my life, whenever I heard someone talk about convection, there were examples related to air and water convection currents, however, this effect is applicable to any fluid. So I would like to know in which interesting and important situations this phenomenon is present, either in industrial machines or in everyday life.
Are you talking about natural convection or forced convection?
 
Both, but preferably natural
 
There are too many situations to mention in which these are important. An important presence of natural convection is in atmospheric circulation. Convective heat transfer is present in all heat exchange equipment, such as in chemical plants and power generation plants. If you want to see more about this, see Transport Phenomena by Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot and Heat Transmission by McAdams.
 

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