Heat Transfer Calculator

Calculate heat transfer rates for conduction, convection, and radiation processes

Heat Transfer Calculator

Heat Transfer Results

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Joules (J)
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Kilojoules (kJ)
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Calories (Cal)
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BTU

Formula used: Q = k × A × t × ΔT / l

Transfer type: Conduction

Example Calculation

Heat Through Wall Example

Material: Concrete wall

Thermal conductivity: 1.7 W/(m·K)

Area: 10 m²

Thickness: 0.2 m

Temperature difference: 30°C - 10°C = 20°C

Time: 1 hour = 3600 s

Calculation

Q = k × A × t × ΔT / l

Q = 1.7 × 10 × 3600 × 20 / 0.2

Q = 1.7 × 10 × 3600 × 100

Q = 6,120,000 J or 6,120 kJ

Heat Transfer Types

1

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact

Effective in solids, especially metals

2

Convection

Heat transfer by fluid movement

Occurs in liquids and gases

3

Radiation

Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

Can occur in vacuum

Common Material Properties

Thermal Conductivity (W/(m·K))

• Copper: 401

• Aluminum: 237

• Steel: 50

• Glass: 1.4

• Water: 0.6

• Air: 0.026

Specific Heat (J/(kg·K))

• Water: 4,184

• Air: 1,005

• Steel: 490

• Aluminum: 897

Heat Transfer Tips

Choose the appropriate transfer type for your system

Consider multiple heat transfer modes in real systems

Temperature must be in absolute scale for radiation

Emissivity ranges from 0 (perfect reflector) to 1 (black body)

Understanding Heat Transfer

What is Heat Transfer?

Heat transfer is the movement of thermal energy from one system to another due to a temperature difference. It occurs naturally from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Fundamental Principles

  • Heat flows from hot to cold objects
  • Rate depends on temperature difference
  • Material properties affect transfer rate
  • Multiple modes can occur simultaneously

Heat Transfer Equations

General Heat Transfer

Q = m × c × ΔT

For heating/cooling objects

Conduction

Q = k × A × t × ΔT / l

Through solid materials

Convection

Q = Hc × A × ΔT

Via fluid motion

Radiation

Q = σ × e × A × (T₂⁴ - T₁⁴)

Electromagnetic waves