HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID

1. A large concrete high way initially at a temperature of 70o C and stream

water is directed on the high way so that the surface temperature is
suddenly lowered to 40o C. Determine the time required to reach 55o C at
a depth of 4 cm from the surface.
Given:
Initial temperature, Ti = 70o C + 273 = 343 K
Final temperature or Surface temperature, T0 = 40o C + 273 = 313 K
Intermediate temperature, Tx = 55o C + 273 = 328 K
Depth, x = 4 cm = 0.04 m

To find: Time ( t ) required to reach 55o C

Solution:
Properties of concrete are [HMT data book, Pg no: 18]
Thermal conductivity, k = 1.2790 W/mK
Thermal diffusivity, α = k / ρcp = 0.49 * 10-6 m2/s

In this problem heat transfer coefficient h is not given. So, take it as ∞.

i.e., h=∞
1
HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
We know that,
Biot number, Bi = hLc / K = ∞ [since h = ∞ ]

Bi value is ∞. So, this is semi infinite solid type problem.

For semi infinite solid,

[HMT data book, Pg no: 58]
(Tx – T0) / (Ti – T0) = erf [ x / ( 2√αt) ] = erf (Z), where Z = x / (2√ αt)
 erf (Z) = 0.5
 erf (Z) = 0.5, corresponding Z is 0.48
 Z = 0.48 [HMT data book, Pg no: 59]

We know that,
Z = x / (2√αt )
=> t = 3535.8 sec

2
 HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
2. A large block of steel is initially at 35o C. The surface temperature is
suddenly raised and maintained at 250o C. Calculate the temperature at a
depth of 2.5 cm after a time of 30 s. The thermal diffusivity and thermal
conductivity of steel are 1.4 x 10-5 m2/s and 45 W/mK respectively.
Given:
Initial temperature, Ti = 35o C + 273 = 308 K
Surface temperature, T0 = 250o C + 273 = 523 K
Depth, x = 2.5 cm = 0.025 m
Time, t = 30 s
Thermal diffusivity, α = 1.4 * 10-5 m2/s
Thermal conductivity, k = 45 W/mK.

To find: Intermediate temperature, Tx

Solution:
In this problem heat transfer coefficient h is not given. So, take it as ∞.
i.e., h=∞
We know that,
Biot number, Bi = hLc / K = ∞ [since h = ∞ ]
3
Bi value is ∞. So, this is semi infinite solid type problem.
HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
For semi infinite solid,
[HMT data book, Pg no: 58]
(Tx – T0) / (Ti – T0) = erf [ x / (2√αt) ] (1)
= erf (Z), where Z = x / (2√αt) = 0.609
Z = 0.609, corresponding erf (Z) is 0.6116

 erf (Z) = 0.6116 [HMT data book, Pg no: 59]

( 1 ) => (Tx – T0) / (Ti – T0) = 0.6116

=> Tx = 391.5 K

4
 HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
3. A large wall 2 cm thick has uniform temperature 30o C initially and the
wall temperature is suddenly raised and maintained at 400o C. Find
1. The temperature at a depth of 0.8 cm from the surface of the wall
after 10 s.
2. Instantaneous heat flow rate through that surface per m2 per
hour.
Take α = 0.008 m2/hr, k = 6 W/mo C.
Given:
Thickness, L = 2 cm = 0.02 m
Initial temperature, Ti = 30o C + 273 = 303 K
Surface temperature, T0 = 400o C + 273 = 673 K
Thermal diffusivity, α = 0.008 m2/h = 2.22 * 10-6 m2/s
Thermal conductivity, k =6 W/mo C.
Case (i) Depth, x = 0.8 cm = 0.008 m Time, t = 10 s
Case (ii) Time, t = 1 h = 3600 s

To find:
1. Temperature (Tx) at a depth of 0.8 cm from the surface of the wall
after 10s.
2. Instantaneous heat flow rate (qx) through that surface per hour. 5
HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
Solution:
In this problem heat transfer coefficient h is not given. So, take it as ∞.
i.e., h=∞
We know that,
Biot number, Bi = hLc / K = ∞ [since h = ∞ ]

Bi value is ∞. So, this is semi infinite solid type problem.

Case (i)
For semi infinite solid,
[HMT data book, Pg no: 58]
(Tx – T0) / (Ti – T0) = erf [ x / (2√αt) ] (1)
= erf (Z), where Z = x / ( 2 √ αt) = 0.848
Z = 0.848, corresponding erf (Z) is 0.7706

 erf (Z) = 0.7706 [HMT data book, Pg no: 59]

( 1 ) => (Tx – T0) / (Ti – T0) = 0.7706

=> Tx = 387.85 K

6
HEAT FLOW IN SEMI - INFINITE SOLID
Case (ii)

Instantaneous heat flow,

qx = ( k[ T0 – Ti ] / √ απt ) exp (– x2 / 4αt )

[HMT data book, Pg no: 58]
=> qx = 129300 W/m2