Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Alberta
MecE 370 – Heat Transfer
Assignment No. 6
(4 Problems)
Due Friday 4th of April, 2008 @ 1pm

1. (16 Marks)
A silicon chip is cooled by passing water through
microchannel etched in the back of the chip, as shown
in the figure. The channels are covered with a silicon
cap. Consider a 10-mm x 10-mm square chip in
which N = 50 rectangular microchannels, each of
width W = 50 μm and height H = 200 μm have been
etched. Water enters the microchannels at a
temperature Ti = 290 K, and a total flow rate of 0.005
kg/s. The chip and cap are maintained at a uniform
temperature of 350 K. Assuming that the flow in the
channels is fully developed, all the heat generated by
the circuits on the top surface of the chip is transferred to the water, and using circular tube correlations,
determine: (a) The water outlet temperature, Te (b) The chip power dissipation, W& e .

2. (14 Marks) Oil at 15°C is to be heated by saturated steam at 1 atm in a double-pipe heat exchanger to a
temperature of 25°C. The inner and outer diameters of the annular space are 3 cm and 5 cm, respectively,
and oil enters at with a mean velocity of 0.8 m/s. The inner tube may be assumed to be isothermal at
100°C, and the outer tube is well insulated. Assuming fully developed flow for oil, determine the tube
length required to heat the oil to the indicated temperature. In reality, will you need a shorter or longer
tube? Explain.

3. (17 Marks) A 1.5-m-diameter, 4-m-long cylindrical propane tank is initially filled with liquid propane,
whose density is 581 kg/m3. The tank is exposed to the ambient air at 25°C in calm weather. The outer
surface of the tank is polished so that the radiation heat transfer is negligible. Now a crack develops at
the top of the tank, and the pressure inside drops to 1 atm while the temperature drops to -42°C, which is
the boiling temperature of propane at 1 atm. The heat of vaporization of propane at 1 atm is 425 kJ/kg.
The propane is slowly vaporized as a result of the heat transfer from the ambient air into the tank, and the
propane vapor escapes the tank at -42°C through the crack. Assuming the propane tank to be at about the
same temperature as the propane inside at all times, determine how long it will take for the tank to empty
if it is not insulated.

4. (20 Marks) A vertical 1.3-m-high, 2.8-m-wide double-pane window consists of two layers of glass
separated by a 2.2-cm air gap at atmospheric pressure. The room temperature is 26°C while the inner
glass temperature is 18°C. Disregarding radiation heat transfer, determine the temperature of the outer
glass layer and the rate of heat loss through the window by natural convection. Consider first the
convective heat transfer to the inner window from the room and then the heat loss through the window.

Notes:
- For each solution include assumptions, a schematic (1/4 to 1/3 of a page) and a discussed and documented
solution
- (5 Marks) are allocated for presentation of the assignment
Solution 1 (MARKS 16)
Solution 2 (MARKS 14)
Oil is heated by saturated steam in a double-pipe heat exchanger. The tube length is to be determined.
Schematic (MARKS 3)
Ts = 100°C

Oil
15°C
0.8 m/s 25°C
5 cm
3 cm

Assumptions (MARKS 2)
1 Steady operating conditions exist.
2 The surfaces of the tube are smooth.
3 Air is an ideal gas with constant properties.
Properties (MARKS 1)
The properties of oil at the average temperature of (15+25)/2=20°C are (Table A-13)
ρ = 888 kg/m 3
k = 0.145 W/m.°C
C p = 1880 J/kg.°C
Pr = 2.08
Analysis The mass flow rate and the rate of heat transfer are
(0.03 m) 2
m& = ρAc Vm = (888 kg/m 3 )π (0.8 m/s) = 0.5022 kg/s (MARKS 1)
4
Q& = m& C p (Te − Ti ) = (0.5022 kg/s)(1880 J/kg.°C)(25 − 15)°C = 9,440.5 W (MARKS 1)
The Nusselt number is determined from Table 8-4 at Di/Do =3/5=0.6 to be Nui = 5.564. (MARKS 1)
Then the heat transfer coefficient, the hydraulic diameter of annulus, and the logarithmic mean temperature
difference are
k 0.145 W/m.°C
hi = Nu i = (5.564) = 40.34 W/m 2 .°C (MARKS 1)
Dh 0.02 m

Dh = Do − Di = 0.05 m − 0.03 m = 0.02 m (MARKS 1)

Ti − Te 15 − 25
ΔTln = = = 79.89°C
(MARKS 1)
⎛ Ts − Te ⎞ ⎛ 100 − 25 ⎞
ln⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ln⎜ ⎟
⎝ Ts − Ti ⎠ ⎝ 100 − 15 ⎠
The heat transfer surface area is determined from
Q& 9440.5 W
Q& = hAs ΔTln ⎯ ⎯→ As = = = 2.929 m 2 (MARKS 1)
hΔTln (40.34 W/m 2 .°C)(79.58°C)
Then the tube length becomes
As 2.929 m 2
As = πDL ⎯
⎯→ L = = = 31 m (MARKS 1)
πDi π (0.03 m 2 )
Solution 3 (MARKS 17)
A cylindrical propane tank is exposed to calm ambient air. The propane is slowly vaporized due to a crack developed at the top of
the tank. The time it will take for the tank to empty is to be determined.
Schematic (MARKS 3)
Air
T∞ = 25°C

Propane tank
D = 1.5 m
ε≈0
Ts = -42°C

L=4m

Assumptions (MARKS 3)
1 Steady operating conditions exist.
2 Air is an ideal gas with constant properties.
3 The local atmospheric pressure is 1 atm.
4 Radiation heat transfer is negligible.
Properties
The properties of air at 1 atm and the film temperature of (Ts+T∞)/2 = (-42+25)/2 = -8.5°C (MARKS 1) are (Table A-15)
k = 0.02299 W/m.°C
υ = 1.265 × 10 −5 m 2 /s
Pr = 0.7383 (MARKS 1)
1 1
β= = = 0.003781 K -1
Tf (−8.5 + 273)K

Analysis
The tank gains heat through its cylindrical surface as well as its circular end surfaces. For convenience, we take the heat transfer
coefficient at the end surfaces of the tank to be the same as that of its side surface. (The alternative is to treat the end surfaces as a
vertical plate, but this will double the amount of calculations without providing much improvement in accuracy since the area of
the end surfaces is much smaller and it is circular in shape rather than being rectangular). The characteristic length in this case is
the outer diameter of the tank, Lc = D = 1.5 m. (MARKS 1) Then,

gβ (T∞ − Ts ) D 3 (9.81 m/s 2 )(0.003781 K -1 )[(25 − (−42) K ](1.5 m ) 3

Ra = Pr = −5
(0.7383) = 3.869 × 10 10 (MARKS 1)
υ 2
(1.265 × 10 2
m /s ) 2

2 2
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ 0.387(3.869 × 1010 )1 / 6 ⎫⎪
⎪ 0.387 Ra 1 / 6 ⎪ ⎪
Nu = ⎨0.6 + ⎬ = ⎨ + 8 / 27 ⎬
= 374.1 (MARKS 1)
[ ] [ ]
0 .6
1 + (0.559 / Pr )9 / 16 1 + (0.559 / 0.7383)9 / 16
8 / 27
⎪⎩ ⎪⎭ ⎩⎪ ⎪⎭

k 0.02299 W/m.°C
h= Nu = (374.1) = 5.733 W/m 2 .°C (MARKS 1)
D 1.5 m
 As = πDL + 2πD 2 / 4 = π (1.5 m)(4 m) + 2π (1.5 m) 2 / 4 = 22.38 m 2 (MARKS 1)

and

Q& = hAs (T∞ − Ts ) = (5.733 W/m 2 .°C)(22.38 m 2 )[(25 − (−42)]°C = 8598 W (MARKS 1)

The total mass and the rate of evaporation of propane are

πD 2 π (1.5 m) 2
m = ρV = ρ L = (581 kg/m 3 ) (4 m) = 4107 kg (MARKS 1)
4 4
Q& 8.598 kJ/s
m& = = = 0.02023 kg/s (MARKS 1)
h fg 425 kJ/kg

and it will take

m 4107 kg
Δt = = = 202,996 s = 56.4 hours (MARKS 1)
m& 0.02023 kg/s

for the propane tank to empty.

SOLUTION 4 (MARKS 20)
A double pane window with an air gap is considered. The rate of heat transfer through the window by natural
convection the temperature of the outer glass layer are to be determined.

Schematic (MARKS 3)

Air
Room air Q&
T∞=26°C

L= 2.2 cm
18°C T2

Assumptions (MARKS 3)
1 Steady operating conditions exist.
2 Air is an ideal gas with constant properties.
3 The air pressure in the enclosure is 1 atm.
4 Radiation heat transfer is neglected.

Properties
For natural convection between the inner surface of the window and the room air, the properties of air at 1
atm and the film temperature of (Ts+T∞)/2 = (18+26)/2 = 22°C (MARKS 1)are (Table A-15)
k = 0.02529 W/m.°C
υ = 1.534 × 10 −5 m 2 /s
Pr = 0.7304 (MARKS 1)
1 1
β= = = 0.00339 K -1
Tf (22 + 273)K

For natural convection between the two glass sheets separated by an air gap, the properties of air at 1 atm and
the anticipated average temperature of (T1+T2)/2 = (18+0)/2 = 9°C (MARKS 1) are (Table A-15)
k = 0.02431 W/m.°C
υ = 1.417 × 10 −5 m 2 /s
Pr = 0.7339 (MARKS 1)
1 1
β= = = 0.003546 K -1
Tf (9 + 273)K
Analysis We first calculate the natural convection heat transfer between the room air and the inner surface of
the window.
Lc = H = 1.3 m (MARKS 1)

gβ (Ts − T∞ ) H 3 (9.81 m/s 2 )(0.00339 K -1 )(26 − 18)K (1.3 m ) 3

Ra = Pr = (0.7304 ) = 1.813 × 10 9 (MARKS 1)
υ2 (1.534 × 10 −5 m 2 /s ) 2

2 2
⎧ ⎫ ⎧ ⎫
⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪
⎪ ⎪ ⎪ 9 1/ 6 ⎪
⎪ 0.387 Ra 1/ 6
⎪ ⎪ 0.387(1.813 × 10 ) ⎪
Nu = ⎨0.825 + 8 / 27 ⎬ = ⎨0.825 + 8 / 27 ⎬
= 148.3 (MARKS 1)
⎪ ⎡ ⎛ 0.492 ⎞ 9 / 16 ⎤ ⎪ ⎪ ⎡ ⎛ 0.492 ⎞ 9 / 16 ⎤ ⎪
⎪ ⎢1 + ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ⎪ ⎪ ⎢1 + ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ⎪
⎪⎩ ⎢⎣ ⎝ Pr ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎪⎭ ⎪⎩ ⎢⎣ ⎝ 0.7304 ⎠ ⎥⎦ ⎪⎭

k 0.02529 W/m.°C
h= Nu = (148.3) = 2.884 W/m 2 .°C (MARKS 1)
H 1.3 m
As = H × W = (1.3 m)(2.8 m) = 3.64 m 2 (MARKS 1)

Q& conv = hAs (T∞ − Ts ) = (2.884 W/m 2 .°C)(3.64 m 2 )(26 − 18)°C = 84.0 W (MARKS 1)

Next, we consider the natural convection between the two glass sheets separated by an air gap.
Lc = L = 2.2 cm (MARKS 1)

gβ (T1 − T2 ) L3 (9.81 m/s 2 )(0.003546 K -1 )(18 − 0)K (0.022 m ) 3

Ra = Pr = (0.7339) = 24,350 (MARKS 1)
υ2 (1.417 × 10 −5 m 2 /s ) 2

−0.3 −0.3
⎛H⎞ ⎛ 1.3 m ⎞
Nu = 0.42 Ra 1 / 4 Pr 0.012 ⎜ ⎟ = 0.42(24,350)1 / 4 (0.7339) 0.012 ⎜ ⎟ = 1.211 (MARKS 1)
⎝L⎠ ⎝ 0.022 m ⎠

Under steady operation, the rate of heat transfer between the room air and the inner surface of the window is
equal to the heat transfer through the air gap. Setting these two equal to each other we obtain the temperature
of the outer glass sheet

T −T (18 − T2 )°C
Q& = kNuAs 1 2 ⎯
⎯→ 83.99 W = (0.02431 W/m.°C)(1.211)(3.64 m 2 ) ⎯
⎯→ T2 = 0.75°C (MARKS 1)
L 0.022 m

which is very close to the assumed temperature 0°C. Therefore, there is no need to repeat the calculations.