PROBLEM 9.

84
KNOWN: Dimensions of window and gap between window and insulation. Temperature of window
and surrounding air.
FIND: (a) Heat loss through the window and associated weekly cost, (b) Heat loss through window as
a function of gap spacing.
SCHEMATIC:

Insulation
qs = 0
L = 1.8 m

Window
TS = 0C

S = 5 mm

Air
T = 15C

ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Negligible radiation heat loss. (2) Insulation creates adiabatic condition.
PROPERTIES: Table A-4, Air (assumed T = 7C = 280 K): = 14.11 10-6 m2/s, k = 0.0247
W/mK, = 19.9 10-6 m2/s, = 1/ T = 0.0036 K-1.
ANALYSIS:
(a) This is a case of free convection in a vertical parallel plate channel. The window can be
approximated as isothermal and the insulation can be modeled as adiabatic. Therefore we can use
Equation 9.45 to find the average Nusselt number, with C1 = 144, C2 = 2.87 in Table 9.3. We begin by
calculating the Rayleigh number from Equation 9.38:
g Ts - T S3
(1)
Ra S =

9.8 m/s2 0.0036 K -1 0C - 15C (0.005 m)3

Ra S =
= 234
19.9 10-6 m 2 /s 14.11 10-6 m 2 /s
Then

C1
C2
Nu S =
+

2
(Ra S S/L)1/2
(Ra S S/L)

-1/2

144
2.87
Nu S =
+

2
(234 0.005 m/1.8 m)1/2
(234 0.005 m/1.8 m)

(2)
-1/2

= 0.0538

From Equation 9.37 (noting that heat transfer is in the direction from the air to the surface)
q = Nu S k A (T - TS )/S

(3)

= 0.0538 0.0247 W/m K 1.8 m 2 (15C - 0C)/0.005 m

= 7.2 W
Then the weekly cost is
Cost = 7.2 W 0.08 10-3 $/Wh 24 h/day 7 days

Cost = $0.10

<
<
Continued.

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PROBLEM 9.84 (Cont.)

(b) Solving Equations (1), (2), and (3) for 1 mm S 20 mm, the following graph can be generated.
70
60

q (W)

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

10

15

20

S (mm)

COMMENTS: (1) Despite the poor workmanship there is a significant cost savings. (2) With
RaSS/L = 0.65 < 10 in part (a), we could have used the fully developed results, Equation 9.40.
However this equation is not valid for RaSS > 10, which corresponds to S > 10 mm.

Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in
courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.