Assignment Questions

1. A metal part in the shape of a frustum of a cone has the following: End diameters
20 mm (this end is held at 100 oC) and 40 mm (this end is held at 40 oC). Length
of the part is 40 mm. Calculate the heat transferred through this part if the thermal
conductivity variation with temperature is given by a relation of the form k = 200(1-
0.5T) where T is in oC. Also calculate the mid-plane temperature. Mention whether
the temperature profile will be convex or concave up.

2. An electrical conductor consists of a copper wire 6 mm in diameter covered with a

3 mm layer of insulating material whose thermal conductivity is 0.02 W/mK. The
conductor passes through a pool of liquid which maintains the outside surface of
the insulation at 20 oC. If the insulation temperature is not to exceed 40 oC at any
point, what is the current the conductor may carry? Assume the resistivity of copper
as 1.72 x 10-6 ohm cm. What is the highest temperature in the conductor for this
maximum possible current?

3. A fin 5 mm diameter and 100 mm long connected to two huge metal blocks
maintained at 80 oC is generating heat at a constant rate of 5 x 106 W/m3. Deduce
the governing differential equation for the steady state problem. Starting from this
equation, obtain the heat balance integral equation. Assume a quadratic
temperature distribution and estimate the total heat lost. Take thermal conductivity
of the fin material as 200 W/mK and the surface heat transfer coefficient as 20
W/m2K.

4. In the system shown, calculate the total heat transfer from the rod. Plot the
temperature profile along the rod, choosing 4 locations. Start from the first
principles.
5. In the body shown, assume one dimensional heat transfer along the axis. The
material is copper (k= 386 W/mK). Calculate the heat transfer through the body
and plot the temperature profile along the length of the body, choosing 4 locations.

6. Derive an approximate expression for the time-temperature history at the surface

of a semi-infinite body, subjected to a constant heat flux at the surface. In the
following problem, (i) find the penetration depths; (ii) plot the time variation of
temperature at a distance 2 mm from the surface and at the surface. (i) and (ii)
should be calculated for the first minute, choosing few intervals.

Q = 20 W/m2
k = 1.4 W/mK
ρ = 2.1 g/cm3
C = 0.88 J/gK

7. A long stainless steel bar of 20 mm x 20 mm square cross section is perfectly

insulated on three sides and is maintained at a temperature of 400 oC on the
remaining side. Determine the maximum temperature in the bar when it is
conducting a current of 1000 amps. The thermal and electrical conductivity of
stainless steel may be taken as 16 W/mK and 1.5 x 104 (ohm.cm)-1. The heat flow
at the ends may be neglected. (Electrical conductivity = 1/ρ; ρ= RA/L)

8. An egg with a mean diameter 40 mm and initially at a temperature of 20 oC is

placed in boiling water for 4 minutes and found to be boiled to the consumer’s
taste. For how long should a similar egg for the same consumer be boiled when
taken from a refrigerator at a temperature of 5 oC? The egg properties are k = 2
 W/mK, ρ = 1200 kg/m3, C = 2 J/gK and the surface heat transfer coefficient may
be taken as 0.2 KW/m2K. Treat the egg as a lumped heat capacity system.

9. A circular rod of length l, thermal conductivity k, and cross-sectional area A has a

left and right end maintained at temperatures T1 and T2. A distributed load results
in heat generation rate given by q”’ = 8 x; where x is the distance measured from
the left end. The lateral surface of the rod is insulated. (i) Determine the equation
for the temperature distribution in the rod. (ii) Determine the location at which
temperature maximum will occur. (iii) Sketch the temperature distribution and heat
flux distribution for a case in which T1 = T2.

10. The inside surface of a bomb calorimeter is subjected to the heat flux q” resulting
from an exothermic chemical process. The inner and outer radii of the calorimeter
are Ri and Ro respectively. The outside heat transfer coefficient is ‘h’ and the
ambient temperature is Ta.

(i) Evaluate the inside surface temperature of the calorimeter.

(ii) Is it possible to lower the temperature without changing Ri, Ro, q” and Ta?

11. For the case of the fin with constant circular cross section shown in the figure,
derive the heat balance integral equation with built-in boundary conditions. Solve
the problem choosing a quadratic profile for the temperature. Calculate the heat
transfer from the fin for the following data.

Θo = 100 oC
L = 10 cm
 h = 20 W/m2K
Diameter D = 1 cm
K = 205 W/mK

12. The temperature is maintained zero along the sides of an infinitely long rod of
square cross section while the fourth side has the uniform temperature To.
Calculate the steady temperature at the intersection of the diagonals.

13. Consider an ordinary light bulb.

Power rating P = 200 W

ρ = 3.2 kg/m3
Cp = 712 J/gK
Thickness of bulb wall, d = 0.04 cm
Ta = 21 oC
D= 7.5 cm.

Consider the system as lumped.

(i) Calculate the steady surface temperature of the light bulb.
(ii) Find the time required for the surface temperature of the bulb to reach this
steady value.
14. A metal part in the shape of a frustum of a cone is laterally insulated and the two
ends are maintained at constant temperature as shown in the figure. Calculate the
heat transferred through this part if the thermal conductivity variation with
temperature is given by a relation of the form k = 386 (1+0.05T) where T is in oC.
Also calculate the temperature at the mid plane. Mention whether the temperature
profile will be concave or convex up.

15. An air-cooled cylindrical wall is to be fitted with triangular fin of 3 cm thickness at

base and 12 cm in height. The fins are made of stainless steel. Wall temperature
of fin is 600 oC and the fin is exposed to environment temperature 30 oC with
convective heat transfer coefficient 20 W/m2K. Setup an expression for
 temperature distribution along the fin. Also make calculation for rate of heat flow
through the fin. Use heat transfer data book for thermophysical properties of
stainless steel.

16. For circumferential fin when perimeter p = 1 m, rt = 1 m, ro = 0.8 m, Ta = 30 oC, To

= 120 oC, find the temperature at the tip and heat transfer from the base. Assume
k = 17.5 W/mK, h = 20 W/m2K and Ac = 2 m2.

17. A bar with insulated sides is initially at temperature 0 oC throughout. The end x =
𝑑𝑦
0 is kept at 0 oC for all time and heat is suddenly applied so that = 10 , at x =
𝑑𝑥
L for all time. Find the temperature function u(x,t).

18. Solve using Laplace transform where governing equation is given by,

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕𝑢
= [( )]
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑡

and boundary conditions

u(0,t) = e-t
u(1,t) = 0
u(x,0) = 0

(Unsteady state one dimensional heat conduction)

19. A two-dimensional rectangular plate is subjected to prescribed temperature

boundary condition on the three sides and a uniform heat flux onto the plate at the
top surface as shown in the diagram. Using general approach, derive an
expression for the temperature distribution.
20. The end points A and B of a rod 20 cm long have temperature at 30 oC and 80 oC
until steady state prevails. The temperature of the endpoint changes to 40 oC and
60 oC respectively. Find the temperature distribution at a distance x from A at x =
5 cm and x = 15 cm.