Heat transfer

Max amount of FITech students: 10

Basic heat transfer phenomena will be covered on this course. In addition to understanding the basic physical phenomena, the student will learn to solve theoretical heat transfer problems as well as numerical heat transfer problems using the Matlab software.

Course contents

• Conduction (1d and 2d)
• External flow heat transfer
• Internal flow heat transfer
• Natural convection
• Basics of numerical simulation in Matlab

Learning outcomes

After the course the student

• can derive and explain what is heat equation, what is the connection to energy conservation and solve the heat equation (1d) and Newton’s cooling law (0d) numerically in Matlab. In general, the student learns to plot graphs and images from correlations or simulation data and report the findings.
• can apply Fourier’s and Newton’s laws in various contexts including fin theory and thermal resistance. Further, the student can analyse 2d heat transfer data in Matlab and formulate an energy balance for 2d system.
• can write the governing equations of fluid/heat flow in a channel, estimate the energy balance and estimate temperature rise for different heating conditions. The student can confirm the channel heat transfer using generated/provided simulation data.
• can formulate energy balance for external flow heat transfer systems and use basic correlations. The student can confirm the analysis using generated/provided simulation data.
• can choose Nusselt number correlation equations for different situations including natural convection and boiling.

Course material

Lecture slides, principles of heat and mass transfer (Incropera) and Matlab software.

Teaching schedule

• Lectures on Tue and Wed at 10-12 (recorded)
• Exercise sessions on Mon at 12-14 (recorded)
• Exercise submissions each Mon
• Exam online

Completion methods

Five homework assignments and exam.

More information in the Aalto University study guide.

You can get a digital badge after completing this course.

conduction, convective heat transfer, thermodynamics, numerical simulation