PROBLEM 1.7 KNOWN: Dimensions of freezer compartment. Inner and outer surface temperatures.

FIND: Thickness of styrofoam insulation needed to maintain heat load below prescribed value. SCHEMATIC:

ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Perfectly insulated bottom, (2) One-dimensional conduction through 5 2 walls of area A = 4m , (3) Steady-state conditions, (4) Constant properties. ANALYSIS: Using Fouriers law, Eq. 1.2, the heat rate is
q = q A = k T A total L
2

Solving for L and recognizing that Atotal = 5W , find

5 k T W2 L = q
5 0.03 W/m K 35 - ( -10 ) C 4m2 500 W

L=

( )
<

L = 0.054m = 54mm.

COMMENTS: The corners will cause local departures from one-dimensional conduction and a slightly larger heat loss.

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