College of Science and Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

IME 4003E Heat Transfer Lab

NRC: 3684

Laboratory N° 1: Simulation on Ansys Software

Name: Sebastián Zambrano

Banner Code: 00323272

Due Date:

November 14, 2024

 Summary (Abstract)

This report presents a comprehensive simulation study on structural steel solids,

exploring temperature distributions through contour plots, central paths, and paths near
the wall. The initial analysis is followed by simulations where the thermal conductivity
of the central insulator is altered to 10 and 90, with corresponding graphs elucidating
the impact of these changes. A consolidated Excel graph integrates the three
temperature paths, providing an integral view of the system's thermal behavior.
Additionally, specific temperature values at key points (A, B, and C) are identified,
contributing to a thorough understanding of the simulated scenarios. The results offer
valuable insights into the thermal dynamics of structural steel solids under varying
conditions.
 Schematic of the Object under Study

T ¿=100 °C T out =40° C

Control Volume

Structural Steel
Structural Steel

Insulating Material

15 m 50 m 15 m

The Control Volume Scheme will be the one that describes the conditions and

parameters used for the simulation. For this case, structural steel is selected as the

material for the study. The inlet temperature is set at 100°C, while the outlet

temperature is maintained at 40°C. The control volume, representing the entire contour

under examination, is delineated by a dotted line. Dimensions are specified as follows:

Cylinder diameter: d = 45 m

Cylinder height: h = 80 m

The height is subdivided into three segments to account for material variations. This

division assumes that the middle section is composed of an insulating material, while
the two end portions are made of structural steel. This segmentation enables a more

nuanced analysis of temperature distribution within the system.

Analysis and Discussion

a) Present simulation results using structural steel for the 3 solids (contour

temperature, central path, and path close to the wall) and explain each graph.

Figure 1.- Contour Temperature of the Structural Steel Solids with Mesh

Figure 2.- Contour Temperature of the Structural Steel Solids without Mesh

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the limit temperatures with and without meshing for the

cylinder. The maximum and minimum temperature points when entering and leaving

the control volume are indicated on the scale on the left side. Consequently, these

figures reveal that the highest temperature upon entering the system is 100°C, while the

lowest temperature upon exit is 40°C.

 Figure 3.- Central Path of the object.

The third figure shows the central path of the temperature when it enters and leaves the

system. Likewise, thanks to this trajectory, the variation in temperature can be observed

along a straight line centered on the cylinder. Likewise, they indicate two fundamental

points, where the trajectory begins and ends, the point where it enters, which is the

maximum temperature, in red; and on the other hand, the point where it comes out,

which is the minimum temperature, marked in blue.

Figure 4.- Temperature Close to the Wall

Figure 5.- Path Close to the Wall

Figures 4 and 5 show the trajectory of the temperature change that passes through the

wall. To observe it, the tool of a section plane was used, which allows a cross section to

be made through the cylinder showing how the temperature varies along the wall. In this

case, since no other heat flows act, the equal and unidirectional path is observed, that is,

it is only found through the z axis.

b) Simulate again changing the thermal conductivity to a value of 10 and then to 90 (SI

units) for the solid in the center (insulator), present graphs and explain the results

obtained.

 Thermal Conductivity of 10

Figure 6.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 10 with meshing.

Figure 7.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 10 without meshing.

Figure 8.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 10 with the path
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show how the temperature is distributed having a different material

with a thermal conductivity value of 10. When observing these figures, it is evident that

the reduction of the thermal conductivity of the intermediate material alters the

isotherms, particularly in the center. This alteration results in prolonged heat retention,

creating a more uniform section of color temperatures in the center of the material. This

change in thermal conductivity imparts greater resistance to temperature fluctuations in

both the input (hot) and output (cold) environments.

 Thermal Conductivity of 90

Figure 9.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 90 with meshing.

Figure 10.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 90 without meshing.

Figure 11.- Graphic of the cylinder with Thermal Conductivity of 10 with the path
 Figures 9, 10 and 11 represent how the temperature is distributed having a different

material with a thermal conductivity value of 90. In these figures, the increase in the

thermal conductivity of the intermediate material leads to a section of more uniform-

colored stripes in the extremes, contrasting with the previous scenario. This means that

higher thermal conductivity tends to dissipate heat more quickly, causing the material to

cool faster. This adjustment in thermal conductivity results in the material responding

more quickly to changes in ambient temperature.

c) Present the 3 temperature paths in the same graph using Excel, temperature vs

distance and explain the results.

Temperature vs Distance
120
100
Temperature [°C]

80 Thermal Conductivity (90)

60 Thermal Conductivity (3 Struc-

tural Steel)
40
Thermal Conductivity (10)
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Distance [m]

Figure 12.- Scatter plot of Temperature vs Distance with the three paths of the different Thermal Conductivities

Temperature vs Distance
120
100
Temperature [°C]

80 Thermal Conductivity (90)

60 Thermal Conductivity (3
Structural Steel)
40
Thermal Conductivity (10)
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Distance [m]

Figure 13.- Scatter plot with smooth lines of Temperature vs Distance with the three paths of the different Thermal Conductivities
Figures 12 and 13 shows the relationship between temperature and distance for three

different values of thermal conductivity: structural steel, 90 and 10. It is evident that, for

each value of thermal conductivity, the temperature increases linearly with distance due

to heat conduction, where Energy flows from higher levels. to lower temperature areas.

The heat transfer rate is directly proportional to the thermal conductivity of the material

and the temperature gradient. In the graph, the temperature gradient remains constant

for each value of thermal conductivity, resulting in a constant heat transfer rate.

Consequently, the temperature increases at a constant rate as the distance expands.

The variation between the three curves is attributed to the thermal conductivity of the

material. Structural steel has a higher thermal conductivity than the material with a

conductivity of 10. This implies that structural steel transfers heat faster than the other

material. Material with a thermal conductivity of 90 transfers heat slightly faster than

structural steel. As a result, the temperature of the material with a conductivity of 90

increases slightly more rapidly than that of the structural steel as the distance increases.

d) Indicate what is the temperature value at points A, B, and C for one of the

simulations carried out.

Although only the temperatures of one simulation are requested, I think it is interesting

that the results of all of them are shown so that they can be compared.

Figure 14.- Temperature Value at Points A, B, and C of the Thermal Conductivity equal to 10
 Figure 15.- Temperature Value at Points A, B, and C of the Thermal Conductivity equal to 90

Figure 16.- Temperature Value at Points A, B, and C of the Thermal Conductivity of the Structural Steel

Figures 14, 15, and 16 present the temperature values for the three solids with the same

thermal conductivity, a thermal conductivity of 10, and a thermal conductivity of 90,

respectively.

 At Point B (15 m):

 Structural Steel: 88.7°C

 Thermal Conductivity 10: 97.3°C

 Thermal Conductivity 90: 85.8°C

At Point B, the material with thermal conductivity 10 exhibits the highest temperature,

indicating that it absorbs and retains more heat at this distance compared to the other

materials. In contrast, structural steel has a lower temperature at Point B, suggesting a

more efficient heat dissipation.

 At Point C (40 m, center):

 Structural Steel: 70°C

 Thermal Conductivity 10: 70°C

 Thermal Conductivity 90: 70°C

At Point C, all three materials have the same temperature, suggesting that the heat

transfer at this specific distance is consistent among the materials.

 At Point A (65 m):

 Structural Steel: 51.2°C

 Thermal Conductivity 10: 42.7°C

 Thermal Conductivity 90: 54.1°C

The temperatures at Point A reveal that the material with thermal conductivity 10 has

the lowest temperature, indicating that it dissipates heat more effectively at this

particular distance. On the other hand, the material with thermal conductivity 90 has the

highest temperature, suggesting a slower dissipation of heat compared to the other two

materials.
 Conclusions

In conclusion, the report presented by segmenting the cylinder into different sections

allowed a comprehensive analysis of the temperature distribution within the system.

Simulation results, illustrated by contour temperature plots and temperature trajectories,

provided information on heat retention, dissipation, and uniformity.

The subsequent analysis involved varying the thermal conductivity of the central

insulating material. A decrease to a thermal conductivity of 10 resulted in prolonged

heat retention and a more uniform temperature distribution, while an increase to a value

of 90 led to faster heat dissipation. These findings emphasize the significant impact of

thermal conductivity on the object's thermal response.

Furthermore, plots of temperature versus distance for different thermal conductivity

values demonstrated the linear relationship between temperature and distance, with

variations attributed to the material's thermal conductivity. The comparison at specific

points (A, B, and C) revealed different temperature behaviors, highlighting the influence

of thermal conductivity on heat transfer efficiency at different distances along the

object.