ChemE 131 THX2 AY 2019 2020 2nd semester

Homework 1

Due Date: Feb 4, 2020 Student Name: Total Score:

Student Number:

For instructor/grader use only:

Problem 1 Problem 3
Problem 2 Problem 4

1. (5-pts) A 4-in.-OD pipe is to be used to transport liquid metals and will have an outside surface
temperature of 1400°F under operating conditions. Insulation is 6 in. thick and has a thermal
conductivity expressed as
k = 0.08(1 – 0.003 T)
where k is in Btu/h ft °F and T is in °F, is applied to the outside surface of the pipe.
a. What thickness of insulation would be required for the outside insulation temperature to be
no higher than 300°F?
b. What heat-flow rate will occur under these conditions?

2. (5-pts) A double window called thermopane is one in which two layers of glass are separated
by a layer of dry, stagnant air. In a given window, each of the glass layers is 6.35 mm thick
separated by a 6.35-mm space of stagnant air. The thermal conductivity of the glass is 0.869
W/m-K and that of air is 0.026 over the temperature range used. For a temperature drop of 27.8
K over the system, calculate the heat loss for a window 0.914 m x 1.83m. NEGLECT ALL
CONVECTIVE EFFECTS.

3. (10-pts) A spherical shell with inner and outer dimensions of ri and ro, respectively, has surface
temperatures Ti(ri) and To(ro). Assuming constant properties and one-dimensional (radial)
conduction, plot the temperature distribution, T(r). Give reasons for the shape you have
sketched.

4. (15-pts) Consider a long CYLINDRICAL nuclear fuel rod, surrounded by an annular layer of
aluminum cladding. Within the fuel rod, heat is produced by fission; this heat source depends
on position approximately
𝑟 2
𝑆𝑛 = 𝑆𝑛0 [1 + 𝑏 ( ) ]
𝑅𝐹

Here Sn0 and b are known constants, and r is the radial coordinate
measured from the axis of the cylindrical fuel rod. Calculate the
maximum temperature in the fuel rod if the outer surface of the
cladding is at temperature TL. The thermal conductivities of the fuel
rod and cladding are kF and kC.