Heat Transfer by Convection

Heat transfer rate due to the convection of a fluid passing over a surface

\(\displaystyle \dot{Q}_{\text{conv}} = h\,A\,(T_s - T_\infty)\)

Symbols

\(\dot{Q}_{\text{conv}}\) — heat transfer rate
\(h\) — convection heat transfer coefficient
\(A\) — area of the surface
\(T_s,\,T_\infty\) — temperatures of the surface and the fluid, respectively

Schematic

Inputs & Outputs

Convection coefficient \(h\) (W/(m²·K))

Surface area \(A\) (m²)

Surface temperature \(T_s\) (K)

\(T_\infty\) — fluid temperature (K) fixed at 300 K

Heat transfer rate \(\dot{Q}_{\text{conv}}\)

— kW

Plots

Each panel varies one variable across its full range while the other variables in the heat convection equation are held at current values. The red dot marks the current operating point — drag it or use the sliders above to see how the graphs and \(\dot{Q}_{\text{conv}}\) change.