Basics of Transient Heat Transfer
Transient heat transfer analysis affects many aspects of our lives although we rarely notice it. From how our thermostat works to the price of a pair of mittens or how fast water boils, principles of transient heat transfer control temperature regulation and allow manufacturers to design products that work safely, effectively, and productively.
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Facts
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Transient heat transfer occurs when an object is placed into an environment that is a different temperature than itself. The hotter element (whether it is the surroundings or the object itself) will diffuse heat into the cooler element until the two reach the same temperature. Once the two are at the same temperature, they will have reached thermal equilibrium, because the transfer of temperature has stopped and will not change again until either the object or its surroundings change temperature, at which point the process begins again.
History
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Transient heat transfer theory developed over time and is based largely on Isaac Newton's Law of Cooling. According to the University of British Columbia, Newton's Law of Cooling states that "the rate of change of the temperature of an object is proportional to the difference between its own temperature and the temperature of its surroundings." Scientists such as Joseph Fourier expanded Newton's Law of Cooling and added more robust principles of convection to it in order to create a more complete portrait of transient heat transfer. However, theories on the subject continue to develop today.
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Function
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Transient heat transfer is used in a variety of applications. One of the most common uses is when working with mechanical parts that act in concert with one another. For example, it can be used when designing a car to make sure that none of the parts get too hot and cause a fire inside of the engine. A fairly recent innovation in transient heat transfer analysis is the use of software to simulate and anticipate the outcomes of combining different heat producing elements.
Types
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The three types of transient heat transfer are radiation, convection, and conduction. Radiation is heat transfer through the air from a hotter source to a cooler destination. An example of radiation is the sun warming a sunbather. Convection is the transfer of heat through a gas or liquid. An example of convection is placing an egg in boiling water and the heat of the water cooking the egg. Conduction is the transfer of heat between two solids. An example of conduction happens when a pan is placed on the burner of a stove and the heat transfers from the burner to warm the metal of the pan.
Significance
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Transient heat transfer is an important field because it can be used to safeguard engines, give accurate cooking times for foods (which reduces food born illnesses), as well as applications in home and business heating. Transient heat transfer can also tell us how long an individual can sustain freezing temperatures and test the effectiveness of outdoor clothing. Awareness of the principles and applications of transient heat transfer can take the guess work out of creating new designs. It cuts down on trial and error testing and makes the invention and discovery process safer.
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