HW#3, due 9-15-2010

1 - New)
A rst order reaction occurs in a spherical catalytic pellet of radius R with a xed surface
concentration of the reactant, CS and a xed surface temperature TS . The problem satises
spherical symmetry and all variables depend on the radial coordinate only. The reaction is
exothermic and has the heat of reaction H and the reaction rate constants dependence on
temperature is given by Arrhenius law, k = k0 exp(E/RT ). Conduction of heat in the pellet is
given by Fouriers law
dT
dr
where qr is the energy ux in the positive radial direction (energy per time per area) and kT is
the thermal conductivity in the pellet.
qr = kT

Write the steady state energy balance and associated boundary conditions for the pellet.
Simplify the balance as much as possible assuming that the thermal conductivity is constant.
2 - new) A nuclear fuel pellet is shaped as a cylinder with radius R and length L. Fission
reactions in the pellet generate thermal energy at the rate q(r,
z) (energy per time per volume).
Assuming perfect cylindrical geometry (i.e. no -dependence) derive the transient (time dependent) energy balance for the pellet. You can assume that the density of the pellet is constant
but that the thermal conductivity k and heat capacity CP are known functions of temperature.
Simplify the equation to the extent possible.
Also #16 from the book.

1 - new ) The control volume is a spherical shell of thickness dr and the conserved property
is energy. There is an energy ux by conduction into the CV at r and a ux by conduction out
at r + dr. The energy balance also contains a term for generation by the chemical reaction.




dT 
dT 
2
2
4r kT
= kCH4r 2 dr
4r kT
dr r
dr r+dr
Dividing through by dr, recognizing derivatives and substituting in the Arrhenius expression
gives


d
dT
4r 2 kT
= k0 eE/RT HC4r 2
dr
dr
or after simplications
kT d
r 2 dr



dT
r2
= k0 eE/RT HC
dr

Two boundary conditions are needed but several more can be stated.

dT 
= 0 , T is nite , T is an even function
T (R) = TS ,
dr 0

2 - new) For CV, use an annular ring of radius r, thickness dr and height dz. Do a balance
on thermal energy. The only uxes are the conduction uxes in the radial and axial directions.




T 
T 
T 
T 
2rdz + k(T )
2rdz k(T )
2rdr + k(T )
2rdr
k(T )
r r
r r+dr
z z
z z+dz
=

CP (T )T
q(r,
z)2rdrdz
t

The usual rearrangements give





T

T
CP T
1
kr
+
k
=
q(r,
z)
r r
r
z
z
t