PROBLEM 9.

KNOWN: Temperature and pressure of air in a free convection application.

FIND: Figure of merit for T = 27C and P = 1, 10 and 100 bar.
ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Ideal gas, (2) Thermal conductivity, dynamic viscosity and specific heat
are independent of pressure.

PROPERTIES: Table A.4, air: (Tf = 300 K, p = 1 atm): k = 0.0263 W/mK, cp = 1007 J/kgK,
= 15.89 10-6 m2/s, = 22.5 10-6 m2/s.

ANALYSIS: With Nu L Ra n , the convection coefficient may be expressed as

3
k gTL3 gL

h

L
L

and the figure of merit is FN =

k n

n n

k n
n n

For an ideal gas, = 1/T. The thermal diffusivity is = k/cp. Since k and cp are independent of
pressure, and the density is proportional to pressure for an ideal gas, 1/p. The kinematic
viscosity is = /. Therefore, for an ideal gas, 1/p. Thus, the properties and the figure of
merit, using n = 0.33, at the three pressures are
p = 1 bar = 1 105 N/m2

p = 10 bar

p = 100 bar

= 1/300 K-1
k = 0.0263 W/mK

= 1/300 K-1
k = 0.0263 W/mK

= 1/300 K-1
k = 0.0263 W/mK

1.0133
1.0133
1.0133
= 22.5 10-6 m 2 /s
= 22.5 10-6 m 2 /s

1
10
100
= 2.28 10-5 m2/s
= 2.28 10-6 m2/s
= 2.28 10-7 m2/s
1.0133
1.0133
1.0133
= 1.589 10-5 m 2 /s
= 1.589 10-5 m 2 /s
= 1.589 10-5 m 2 /s

1
10
100
-5
2
-6
2
-7
2
= 1.610 10 m /s
= 1.610 10 m /s
= 1.610 10 m /s

= 22.5 10-6 m 2 /s

Therefore, for P = 1 bar, FN =

0.0263 W/m K (1/300K)0.33

= 5.20. Similarly, for
(2.28 105 m 2 /s)0.33 (1.61 10-5m 2 /s)0.33

P = 10 bar, FN = 23.78 while for P = 100 bar, FN = 108.7.

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COMMENT: The efficacy of natural convection cooling within sealed enclosures can be
increased significantly by increasing the pressure of the gas.