Week 6_Assignment 1

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. A plane surface, 25 cm wide, has its temperature maintained at 80 oC. Atmospheric
air, at 25 oC; flows parallel to the surface with a velocity of 2.8 m/s. Using the results
of boundary layer analysis, determine the rate of total heat transfer (approx. in Watts)
from the plate to the air stream for a 1m long plate. [Data: For air at 325 K, density =
1087 kg/m3, kinematic viscosity = 1.807 * 10-5 m2/s, specific heat = 1.008 kJ/ (kg. K),
Prandtl number = 0.702, thermal conductivity = 2.816 W/ (m. K)]
a. 20.0
b. 54.0
c. 90..0
d. 108.0
Answer: c
Solution: For the given conditions, the Reynolds number can be calculated as:
Re = (L V ρ/µ)= ((1*2.8)/ (1.807 * 10-5)) = 1.549529 * 105
Hence, the flow is laminar. Therefore, the mean coefficient of skin friction can be obtained
by using the formula: (The contents within the brackets <> denote the mean value)
<C fl > = 1.328*Re L -0.5
Therefore, <C fl > = 0.00337
In order to obtain the value of the convective heat transfer coefficient, we use the Chilton-
Colburn analogy:
<St l > = (<C fl >/2) *Pr2/3
Substituting the relevant terms, the value of the convective heat transfer coefficient is
obtained to be = 6.54 W/ (m2. K)
The value of total heat transferred can be obtained by:
q = h A ΔT = (6.54) (1) (0.25) (55) = 89.925 W = 90.0W (approx.)

2. For a prescribed geometry, the length averaged Nusselt number is a function of which
of the following:
a. Reynolds and Prandtl numbers
b. Reynolds, Prandtl, Stanton
c. Length, velocity, Reynolds, Prandtl numbers
d. None of the above
Answer: a. For a prescribed geometry, the length averaged Nusselt number is always a
function of the Reynolds number based on the entire length, and Prandtl number.
 3. Which of the following physical properties of the fluid are the most affected when
there is a minor fluctuation in the temperature of the system:
a. Density
b. Heat Capacity
c. Viscosity
d. Thermal conductivity
Answer: c. The viscosity of the fluid is one of the most affected parameters, when the
temperature of the system is changed in a slight manner.

Linked Question
Air at 25°C flows past a flat plate at 2.5 m/s. The plate measures 60 cm * 30 cm and is
maintained at a uniform temperature of 95 °C. Thermo physical properties of air are:
ρ = 1.060 kg/m3; k = 2.894 * 10-2 W/mK; ν = 18.97 * 10-6 m2/s; Pr = 0.696
The air is flowing parallel to the 60 cm side.
1. The heat loss from the plate if the air flows parallel to the 60 cm side will be (choose
the closest value)
(a) 25 W
(b) 50 W
(c) 75 W
(d) 100 W

2. The heat loss from the plate if the air flows parallel to the side 30 cm will be(choose
the closest value)
(a) 37 W
(b) 95 W
(c) 142 W
(d) 195 W

Solution: 1- (d)
Re x = x u ∞ /ν
= (0.6 * 2.5)/ (18.97 * 10-6)
= 7.91 * 104
Therefore, the flow is laminar. Hence, the length-averaged value of Nusselt number is given
by:(The contents within the brackets <> denote the average value)
<Nu>= 0.664 (Re x ) 0.5 (Pr) 0.33
= 165.698
Substituting the relevant values in the equation for Nusselt number, we obtain the value of the
average heat transfer coefficient as:
<h> = 7.9922 W/m2K
Heat loss = h A ∆T
= 100.7 W
Solution: 2- (c)
Note: To be solved in a similar fashion as the above problem, but by taking L = 0.3 m
Re x = 3.95 * 104
<Nu> = 117.1
<h> = 11.296 W/m2K
Heat loss = 142.33 W

True or False:
1. As the Boundary layer thickness increases, the resistance to heat transfer decreases
and hence, the convective heat transfer coefficient increases.
a. True
b. False
Answer: b. With an increase in the thickness of the boundary layer, the resistance increases,
and hence the coefficient of heat transfer decreases.

2. In applying the analogies and correlations for convective heat transfer, the
temperature of the fluid is important and therefore, for all practical applications, the
film temperature is used to obtain the properties of the fluid. The film temperature is
the ratio of surface (wall) temperature and bulk temperature of the fluid.
a. True
b. False
Answer: b. The film temperature is the arithmetic average of the wall and bulk fluid
temperatures, not their ratio.

3. The Reynolds analogy is an excellent tool, which enables us to correlate the two
transport phenomena, viz. energy and momentum transfer. The importance of the
Reynold’s analogy is that, if all the appropriate conditions of flow and Prandtl number
are met, a mere knowledge of the coefficient of shear stress, would enable us to obtain
the value of heat transfer coefficient.
a. True
b. False
Answer: a. The Reynolds analogy is a relationship between Stanton number and coefficient
of shear stress, and hence the knowledge of the friction coefficient would enable us to
calculate the value of the convective heat transfer coefficient.

4. The Chilton-Colburn analogy is an important correlation relating Stanton number,

Prandtl number and the shear stress coefficient. The Colburn “j” factor, and the
subsequent analogy relations can only be used for liquid metals and heavy oils.
a. True
b. False
Answer: b. The Colburn “j” factor, and the relations are valid for Prandtl numbers between
0.6 and 60; whereas, heavy oils and liquid metals have very high and very low values of
Prandtl numbers respectively. Hence, the Colburn analogy cannot be used for the cases
involving heavy oils and/or liquid metals.

5. The two conditions for the validity of Reynolds analogy are: Prandtl number equals
unity and the absence of form drag
a. True
b. False
Answer: a. The absence of form drag and Pr = 1, are the two conditions necessary for the
validity of Reynolds analogy.