CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER

21AE71
Module 1

History, Conjugate problem, Body domain, Fluid domain; initial, boundary and
conjugate conditions, Heat Transfer by Solids and Fluids, Conjugate Heat
Transfer Applications
History

Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) refers to the analysis of heat transfer within a
system where conduction, convection, and/or radiation occur simultaneously
across different mediums.

The concept emerged in the mid-20th century with the growing need to
understand heat transfer in complex systems, such as those found in aerospace,
automotive, and nuclear engineering.

Early studies focused on separate heat transfer mechanisms, but the need for
integrated solutions led to the development of CHT methods.
History

The advancement of computational methods in the 1960s and 1970s enabled

more detailed analysis of CHT, particularly with the advent of Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

By the 1980s, CHT became a crucial aspect of thermal analysis in engineering,

especially in the design of high-performance engines and electronics.

The continuous improvement in computing power allowed for more accurate and
comprehensive CHT simulations, incorporating complex geometries and
transient heat transfer phenomena.
History

In the 21st century, CHT is essential in optimizing thermal management

systems across various industries.

Modern CHT analysis often integrates CFD with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
for precise modeling.

The evolution of CHT reflects the increasing complexity of engineering systems

and the need for holistic thermal analysis.
Conjugate Problem

It is a situation where multiple modes of heat transfer—such as conduction,

convection, and/or radiation—occur simultaneously across different materials or
regions within a system.

The interaction between these modes needs to be considered to accurately model

and solve the problem.
Conjugate Problem

Consider a situation where heat is being transferred from a hot fluid flowing inside
a pipe to the cooler surroundings outside the pipe.

● Conduction: Heat transfer through the solid pipe material.

● Convection: Heat transfer from the fluid to the pipe's inner surface and from
the pipe's outer surface to the surrounding air.
● Radiation: (If applicable) Heat transfer from the pipe's surface to the
surroundings.
Conjugate Problem

In a conjugate heat transfer problem, all these modes of heat transfer interact with
each other, and their effects must be considered together to obtain an accurate
solution.

This requires solving the heat transfer equations simultaneously in both the solid
and fluid regions, taking into account the boundary conditions at the interfaces
between different materials.

Conjugate heat exchangers, cooling of electronic components, and thermal

insulation systems problems are common in engineering applications.
Body Domain

It is the physical region or space within a solid object where the analysis is being
performed.

This domain typically includes all the points within the boundaries of the object,
where various physical phenomena, such as heat conduction, stress, or
deformation occur.
Key Aspects of the Body Domain:

Material Properties: The body domain is characterized by the material properties

of the object, such as thermal conductivity, specific heat, and density, which
influence how heat or other physical quantities are distributed within the object.

Boundary Conditions: The body domain is defined by its boundaries, where

interactions with the environment or other systems occur.

Example: At the boundaries of the body domain, there is heat transfer by

convection to a fluid, radiation to the surroundings, or a fixed temperature imposed
by external conditions.
Key Aspects of the Body Domain:

Governing Equations: Governing equations such as the heat conduction

equation, Navier-Stokes equations (for fluid flow), or stress-strain relations are
solved to understand the behavior of the system.
Application in Conjugate Heat Transfer: In conjugate heat transfer problems,
the body domain represents the solid part of the system (e.g., a pipe wall) where
conduction is the primary mode of heat transfer. This domain interacts with the
fluid domain (where convection occurs) at the interface.
The body domain is essential in defining the scope of analysis for simulations and
helps in discretizing the object for numerical methods like Finite Element Analysis
(FEA) or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Fluid Domain

It is the region or space within a computational model or physical system where a

fluid (such as a gas or liquid) exists and flows.

In this domain, various fluid-related phenomena, such as fluid flow, heat transfer
by convection, chemical reactions are analyzed.
Key Aspects of the Fluid Domain:

Fluid Properties: The fluid domain is characterized by properties such as density,

viscosity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity, which influence the fluid
behaviour and heat, momentum, mass transfer within the domain.

Governing Equations: The behavior of the fluid within this domain is described
by fundamental equations such as the Navier-Stokes equations (for fluid motion),
the energy equation (for heat transfer), and the continuity equation (for mass
conservation). These equations are solved to determine the velocity, pressure,
temperature, and other properties of the fluid within the domain.
Key Aspects of the Fluid Domain:

Boundary Conditions: The fluid domain is defined by its boundaries, where the
fluid may interact with solid surfaces (such as the walls of a pipe or container) or
other fluid regions. At these boundaries, conditions such as no-slip (where the
fluid velocity matches the solid surface) or heat transfer coefficients are applied.

Application in Conjugate Heat Transfer: In conjugate heat transfer problems,

the fluid domain represents the region where convection is the primary mode of
heat transfer. It interacts with the body domain (solid region) at the interface,
where heat is transferred between the fluid and the solid material.
 Key Aspects of the Fluid Domain:
Discretization: In computational simulations like Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD), the fluid domain is discretized into smaller elements or cells, where the
governing equations are numerically solved to analyze fluid behavior.

Example:
In the design of a heat exchanger, the fluid domain would include the regions inside
the tubes and around them where the fluid flows. The analysis in this domain would
focus on how the fluid's velocity, pressure, and temperature change as it moves
through the exchanger, and how heat is transferred from the fluid to the solid walls
(body domain) or vice versa.
Applications: Aerodynamics, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
systems, and cooling of electronic devices.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

1. Aerospace Engineering

● Rocket Engines and Turbines: CHT analysis is used to study the cooling of
turbine blades and rocket nozzles, where heat is transferred from the hot gases
(fluid domain) to the metal components (body domain).
● Heat Shields: In spacecraft re-entry, heat shields experience intense heat due
to atmospheric friction. CHT helps design these shields by analyzing heat
conduction through the material and convection away from the surface.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

2. Automotive Engineering

● Engine Cooling Systems: CHT is used to analyze the cooling of engine

components like cylinder heads, where heat from combustion (fluid domain) is
conducted through the engine block (body domain) and dissipated via the
coolant.
● Brake Systems: Heat generated in braking is transferred from the brake pads
(solid) to the surrounding air (fluid). CHT ensures optimal design for heat
dissipation.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

3. Electronics Cooling

● Microprocessors and Semiconductor Devices: CHT is critical in managing

the heat generated in microprocessors. Heat must be conducted through the
silicon chip and dissipated via air or liquid cooling systems.
● Heat Sinks: Designing heat sinks involves CHT to optimize the transfer of heat
from electronic components to the surrounding air or cooling fluid.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

4. Power Generation

● Nuclear Reactors: CHT is used to analyze the heat transfer from nuclear fuel
rods to the coolant flowing around them, ensuring safe and efficient reactor
operation.
● Boilers and Heat Exchangers: In power plants, CHT helps in the design of
boilers and heat exchangers, where heat is transferred from hot gases to water
or steam within tubes.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

5. HVAC Systems

● Heat Exchangers: CHT is essential in the design of heat exchangers used in

heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It analyzes how heat
is transferred between fluids and solid walls within the exchanger.
● Refrigeration Systems: CHT helps optimize the performance of refrigeration
systems by analyzing the heat exchange between refrigerants and the
surrounding environment.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

6. Renewable Energy

● Solar Panels: CHT is used to optimize the design of solar thermal panels,
where heat is transferred from sunlight (via radiation) to the fluid circulating
within the panels.
● Geothermal Systems: In geothermal power generation, CHT helps analyze the
heat transfer from the hot earth (solid) to the fluid circulating in pipes.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

7. Building and Construction

● Insulation Design: CHT is used in building construction to analyze heat transfer

through walls, windows, and roofs, ensuring efficient thermal insulation and
energy conservation.
● Ventilation Systems: It helps in designing natural ventilation systems by
analyzing heat transfer between indoor air and building materials.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

8. Industrial Processes

● Chemical Reactors: CHT is applied in chemical reactors where heat transfer

between the reaction medium (fluid domain) and the reactor walls (body domain)
is critical for controlling reaction rates and product quality.
● Metal Casting: In metal casting processes, CHT is used to analyze how heat is
transferred from molten metal (fluid) to the mold (solid) during cooling and
solidification.
 Conjugate Heat Transfer Applications

CHT applications are integral to optimizing thermal management, ensuring safety,

enhancing efficiency, and improving the durability of systems.