1. What is Convective Heat Transfer?

Convective heat transfer is the process of heat transfer between a solid surface and a moving fluid (liquid or gas) when they are at different temperatures. It plays a crucial role in various engineering applications including HVAC systems, heat exchangers, and electronic cooling.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the convective heat transfer equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Heat transfer rate (Watts)
• \( h \) — Heat transfer coefficient (W/m²K)
• \( A \) — Surface area (m²)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature difference (Kelvin)

Explanation: The equation calculates the rate of heat transfer through convection, where the heat transfer coefficient depends on fluid properties, flow velocity, and surface characteristics.

3. Importance of Heat Transfer Calculation

Details: Accurate heat transfer calculations are essential for designing efficient thermal systems, optimizing energy consumption, preventing equipment overheating, and ensuring proper sizing of heat exchangers and cooling systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heat transfer coefficient in W/m²K, surface area in m², and temperature difference in Kelvin. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical range for heat transfer coefficient (h)?
A: For natural convection: 5-25 W/m²K; For forced convection: 10-500 W/m²K; For boiling/condensation: 500-15,000 W/m²K.

Q2: How does temperature difference affect heat transfer?
A: Heat transfer rate increases linearly with temperature difference according to the equation Q ∝ ΔT.

Q3: What factors affect the heat transfer coefficient?
A: Fluid properties (viscosity, thermal conductivity), flow velocity, surface geometry, and surface roughness all influence the heat transfer coefficient.

Q4: When is this equation applicable?
A: This equation applies to steady-state convective heat transfer where the heat transfer coefficient is constant and known.

Q5: What are the limitations of this calculation?
A: The equation assumes constant properties, steady-state conditions, and uniform surface temperature. It may not be accurate for transient conditions or complex geometries.