Conductive Heat Transfer

The Heat Transfer calculator computes the energy transferred between differing temperature solids or fluids based on the area of contact, thickness, difference in temperature and the thermal conductivity of the material.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (A) Heat Transfer Area
• (s) Material Thickness
• (k) Thermal Conductivity (units: W/m °C)
• (dT) Temperature Difference

Heat Transfer (q): The heat transfer is returned in watts (W).  However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

Conduction will take place if there exist a temperature gradient in a solid (or stationary fluid) medium.

Energy is transferred from more energetic to less energetic molecules when neighboring molecules collide. Conductive heat flow occur in direction of the decreasing temperature since higher temperature are associated with higher molecular energy.

Fourier's Law express conductive heat transfer as

`q = k *A* dT / s`

where

• q = heat transfer (W, J/s, Btu/s)
• A = heat transfer area (m2, ft2)
• k = thermal conductivity of the material (W/m.K or W/m °C, Btu/(hr °F ft²/ft))
• dT = temperature difference across the material (K or °C, °F)
• s = material thickness (m, ft)

Heat Transfer Calculators

• Arithmetic Mean Temperature Difference (AMTD)
• Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference (LMTD)
• Conductive Heat Transfer
• Thermal Diffusivity
• Heat Transfer Coefficient
• Heat Energy Transfer Rate
• Heat Transfer using LMTD
• Heat Exchange Area using LMTD