Heat Transfer Coefficient of a Pipe Wall

Heat transfer coefficient is a measure of the ability of a material or a boundary to conduct heat.  It represents the rate of heat transfer per unit area and per unit temperature difference.  In the context of a pipe wall, the heat transfer coefficient is used to quantify how efficiently heat is transferred through the wall.

The heat transfer coefficient depends on various factors, including the material properties of the pipe wall, the fluid on either side of the wall, and the conditions of the heat transfer process.  For a pipe, the heat transfer coefficient can be affected by factors such as the thermal conductivity of the pipe material, the thickness of the pipe wall, and the nature of the fluid flowing inside or outside the pipe.

To determine the heat transfer coefficient for a specific pipe and fluid combination, experimental methods or correlations based on empirical data are often employed.  Keep in mind that the heat transfer coefficient can vary under different operating conditions, and it is essential to consider the specific circumstances of the heat transfer process when calculating or determining this coefficient.

 

Heat Transfer Coefficient of a Pipe Wall FormulA
\( h_{wall} =  2 \; k \;/\; d_i \; ln \; ( p_o \;/\;  P_i )  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( h_{wall} \) = heat transfer coefficient of a wall	\(Btu-ft \;/\; hr-ft^2-F\)	\(W \;/\; m-K\)
\( ln \) = natural logarithm	\(dimensionless\)
\( p_i \) = pipe ID	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( p_o \) = pipe OD	\(in\)	\(mm\)
\( k \) = thermal conductivity	\(Btu-ft \;/\; hr-ft^2-F\)	\(W \;/\; m-K\)