Heat Diffusion Equation (2.

3)
Derivation for cylindrical coordinates using a differential control volume approach:

dr
dz
r d

Start with an expression for conservation of energy:

E& in E& out + E& g = E& st

(1)

Express the terms in (1) as heat rates.

E& in = qr + q + q z

(2)

qk (where k is r, , or z) represents the heat rate (i.e., the total amount of heat) passing through the face of
the control volume normal to the k-direction.

q

q
q

E& out = qr +dr + q +d + q z +dz = qr + r dr + q + rd + q z + z dz (3)

r
r
z

qk+dk represents the heat rate passing through the second face normal to the k-direction. The heat rate at the
second face (e.g., out of the control volume) is equal to the amount that entered the control volume (qk)
plus the amount that was added or removed within the control volume (

qk
dk ).
k

E& g = q&dr (rd )dz = q&rdrddz

q& represents the rate of heat generation per volume. Heat could be generated by a chemical reaction that

is occurring within the control volume, or it may be generated by an electrical current that is running
through the control volume. Remember, heat generation could be negative (example: an endothermic
reaction). q& is multiplied by the volume of the control volume to keep units in terms of heat rate.

T
E& st = c p
rdrddz
t

(5)

cp is the volumetric heat capacity, which accounts for energy being stored within the material as its
temperature changes with time. The volumetric heat capacity is multiplied by the volume of the control
volume to keep units in terms of heat rate.
Equations (2), (3), (4), and (5) are substituted into (1):

q

q
q
T

qr + q + qz qr + r dr q + d qz + z dz + q&rdrddz = c p
rdrddz
r

z
t

Canceling terms results in:

q
q
T
qr
dr d z dz + q&rdrddz = c p
rdrddz

z
t
r

(6)

Heat rate is related to heat flux through the area that energy is being transported.

qk = qk Anormal
Specifically:

qr = qr(rd )dz
q = q drdz

(7)
(8)

q z = q zdr (rd )
(9)
Note: the double prime notation is associated with heat flux (i.e., energy transfer per area) it does not
refer to the calculus notation for a second derivative.
Equations (7), (8), and (9) are substituted into (6):

(qdrdz )
(qrrddz )
T
(qzrdrd )
dr
d
dz + q&rdrddz = c p
rdrddz
r
z
t

Simplifying by removing independent terms:

(q )
(qrr )
T
(qz )
drddz
drddz
rdrddz + q&rdrddz = c p
rdrddz
r
z
t

Dividing both sides by drddz :

(qrr ) (q ) (qz )
T
r + q&r = c p

z
t

(10)

Heat flux can be expressed as q = kT , therefore, for cylindrical coordinates:

T
r
1 T
q = k
r
T
q z = k
z

qr = k

(11)
(12)
(13)

Equations (11), (12), and (13) are substituted into (10):

T k 1 T
T
kr

r k
r +
+ z r + q&r = c T r
p
r

z
t
Simplify by removing independent terms from the differential equations. Note: k can be removed if it is
not a function of r, , or z.

T
1 2T
2T
T
+
+ q&r = c p
kr
r
r
+k
2
2
r r
z
t
r

Divide both sides by k and by r to obtain the Heat Diffusion Equation:

1 T 1 2T 2T q& 1 T
+
+ =
r
+
r r r r 2 2 z 2 k t
The heat diffusion equation relates a time-dependent temperature distribution (i.e., T = f(t, r, , z)) through
thermal properties of the material (e.g., k and ).