Text: Heat transfer: The convection

Heat transfer is a discipline of thermal engineering that concerns the generation, use,
conversion and exchange of thermal energy (heat) between physical systems. We have
three mode of heat transfer such as: Conduction, Convection and radiation. Convective
heat transfer is one of the major types of heat transfer, and convection is also a major
mode of mass transfer in fluids. In the context of heat and mass transfer, the term
"convection" is used to refer to the combined effects of advective and diffusive
transfer. Sometimes the term "convection" is used to refer specifically to "free heat
convection" (natural heat convection) where bulk-flow in a fluid is due to temperature-
induced differences in buoyancy, as opposed to "forced heat convection" where forces
other than buoyancy (such as pump or fan) move the fluid.
However, in mechanics, the correct use of the word "convection" is the more general
sense, and different types of convection should be further qualified, for clarity.
Convective heat transfer, often referred to simply as convection, is the transfer of
heat from one place to another by the movement of fluids. Convection is usually the
dominant form of heat transfer in liquids and gases. Convection mode depends on the
mechanism of heat extraction. Natural buoyancy forces alone are entirely responsible for
fluid motion when the fluid is heated, and this process is called "natural convection".
Convection can be "forced" by movement of a fluid by means other than buoyancy forces
(for example, a water pump in an automobile engine). Thermal expansion of fluids may
also force convection. In natural convection, an increase in temperature produces a
reduction in density, which in turn causes fluid motion due to pressures and forces
when fluids of different densities are affected by gravity (or any g-force). For example,
when water is heated on a stove, hot water from the bottom of the pan rises, displacing
the colder denser liquid, which falls. After heating has stopped, this natural convection
eventually results in a nearly homogeneous density, and even temperature. Without the
presence of gravity, natural convection does not occur, and only forced convection modes
operate.
In addition to energy transfer due to specific molecular motion (diffusion), energy is
transferred by bulk, or macroscopic, motion of the fluid. This motion is associated with
the fact that, at any instant, large numbers of molecules are moving collectively or as
aggregates. Such motion, in the presence of a temperature gradient, contributes to heat
transfer. Because the molecules in aggregate retain their random motion, the total heat
transfer is then due to the superposition of energy transport by random motion of the
molecules and by the bulk motion of the fluid. Thermal convection can be demonstrated
by placing a heat source at the side of a glass filled with a liquid, and observing the
changes in temperature in the glass caused by the warmer fluid circulating into cooler
areas. The convection mechanism is also used in cooking, to cook the food faster than a
conventional oven.
Engineers Edge in Introduction to heat Transfer
 retrieved 14 September 2015
Key words
In the text, there are certain words whose comprehension helps us to understand the text
and the ideas of the author. We have therefore chosen five key words which we will
explain.

 Buoyancy: It is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an

immersed objet. It is the ability or tendency of something to float in water or other
fluid.

 Thermal expansion: It is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and
volume in response to a change in temperature.

 Bulk-flow: It is the movement of water and solutes together due to a pressure

gradient. In a more explanatory way, bulk-flow is a movement of molecules from
an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

 Temperature gradient: It is a physical quantity that describes in which direction

and at what rate the temperature changes the most rapidly around a particular
location.

 Fluid: It is a substance that continually deforms (flows) under an applied an

external force. Fluids are a phase of matter and include liquids, gases and
plasmas.
 Comment
Many processes used in industry are the seat of energy exchange. The transition from
one state of equilibrium to another leads to an exchange of energy between the system
and the exterior which is predictable by thermodynamics. Heat is one of the many forms
of energy in a system.
This text entitled Heat transfer is an extract from Introduction to heat Transfer, an
article of Engineers Edge retrieved 14 September 2015. It talks about heat transfer
especially convection. The goal of this document is to inform us about the mechanism of
convection, the different types of convection and some applications of this mode of heat
transfer. The document can be divided into 3 axes:
 The first part after dealing with generalities about heat transfer gives us the
scientific definition of convection in different senses relative to the observed
phenomenon observed. (Convective heat transfer, often referred to simply as
convection, is the transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of
fluids)
 The second part shows the different types of convection (natural convection and
forced convection) and the difference between each type: Natural convection is
caused by buoyancy while forced convection is caused by another force than
buoyancy. It deals also about the mechanism of the convection which is the
movement of fluids.
 The third part portrays some application and simply example of convection in
many domains of activities. (The movement of water molecules on a stove, a
water pump in an automobile engine…)
Why does this text deserved to be studied? Scientific and technologic interests were
developed in the text. Also, basic knowledge is essential for the production or
development engineer if he want to understand the process studied and controlled as well
as quality of the sought product. So, it is clear that understanding the mechanisms
involved during heating helps the engineer to improve the energy balance of the process.