Film Coefficient Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the film coefficient is:

\[ h = \frac{q}{A \times \Delta T} \]

Where:

\( h \) is the film coefficient (W/m²K).
\( q \) is the heat transfer rate (W).
\( A \) is the contact area between the materials (m²).
\( \Delta T \) is the temperature difference between the materials (K).

What is a Film Coefficient?

A film coefficient, also known as a heat transfer coefficient, is a term used in thermodynamics to describe the rate at which heat is transferred between materials. It is dependent on the properties of the materials involved, the nature of the contact between them, and the temperature difference. The film coefficient is used in calculations involving heat exchange in systems such as radiators, boilers, and heat exchangers. It is a crucial factor in the design and operation of many industrial processes.

Example Problem

Consider an example where:

Heat Transfer Rate (q): 500 W
Contact Area (A): 2 m²
Temperature Difference (ΔT): 50 K

Using the formula to calculate the Film Coefficient:

\[ h = \frac{500}{2 \times 50} = \frac{500}{100} = 5 \text{ W/m²K} \]

This means that the film coefficient for this example is approximately 5 W/m²K.