Fourier Law of heat conduction

Fourier Law of heat conduction

It states that rate of heat flux is directly proportional to temperature gradient.

Q dT
∝ (− )
A dx

Q dT
= −k
A dx

dT
Q = −kA
dx
For 1-D steady state heat conduction through homogeneous material without heat
generation is given by
dT
Q = −kA
dx
Q dT
⇒q= = −k
A dx
dT
Where, = Temperature gradient
dx
• -ve sign indicates that the heat flow is in the direction of negative temperature
gradient and that serves to make the heat flow positive.

• Thermal conductivity “k” is one of its transport properties. Others are the
viscosity associated with the transport of momentum; diffusion coefficient
associated with the transport of mass.

• “k” provides an indication of the rate at which heat energy is transferred

through a medium by conduction process.

Following are the assumptions of Fourier Law of Heat Conduction:

• Steady state conduction
• One directional
• Bounding surfaces are isothermal in character i.e., constant and uniform
temperatures are maintained at the two faces.

• No internal heat generation

Features of Fourier Law:
• Valid for all matter – solid, liquid or gas
• The vector expression indicating that heat flow rate is normal to an isotherm
and is in the direction of decreasing temperature.

• Helps to define the transport property “k”

General heat conduction equation in Cartesian coordinates:

∂2 T ∂2 T ∂2 T qg ρc ∂T 1 ∂T
+ + + = =
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2 k k ∂τ α ∂τ

qg ρc ∂T 1 ∂T
∇2 t + = =
k k ∂τ α ∂τ

Where, ρ = density,
C = specific heat,
α = thermal diffusivity

k thermal conductivity
α= =
ρC thermal capacity per unit volume

• α indicates rate at which heat is distributed in a material

• The relative magnitude of thermal diffusivity is a measure of rapidity with
which the material responds to sudden temperature changes.

• Liquids have low “k” and high "ρc" so low "α"

• Solids have high “k” and low "ρc" so high "α"

• It is a physical property of the material. It is more useful in unsteady

conduction situations.

• In insulators the heat conduction takes place due to vibration of atoms about
their mean positions.

• In metals besides atomic vibrations, there are large number of free electrons
which also participate in the process of heat conduction.
Other simplified forms of heat conduction equation in Cartesian coordinates:
(1) Unsteady state heat conduction equation with no internal heat generation

∂2 T ∂2 T ∂2 T ρc ∂T 1 ∂T
+ + = =
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2 k ∂τ α ∂τ
1 ∂T
∇2 t = . . . . . Diffusion equation
α ∂τ
(2) Steady state heat conduction equation with internal heat generation.

∂2 T ∂2 T ∂ 2 T q g
+ + + =0
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2 k
qg
∇2 T + =0 . . . . Poisson’s equation
k
(3) Steady state heat flow equation with no internal heat generation

∂2 T ∂2 T ∂2 T
+ + =0
∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2
∇2 T = 0 . . . . Laplace equation
(4) Steady state 1-D heat flow equation with internal heat generation.

∂2 T q g
+ =0
∂x 2 k
(5) Steady state 1-D heat flow equation without internal heat generation.

∂2 T
=0
∂x 2
(6) Unsteady state 1-D heat flow equation without internal heat generation

∂2 T 1 ∂T
=
∂x 2 α ∂τ

General heat conduction equation in 3-D Cylindrical coordinates:

∂2 T 1 ∂T 1 ∂2 T ∂2 T qg 1 ∂T
+ + + + =
∂r 2 r ∂r r 2 ∂ϕ2 ∂z 2 k α ∂τ

General heat conduction 3-D equation in Spherical coordinates:

1 d 2
dT 1 ∂ ∂T 1 ∂2 T qg 1 ∂T
( ) (r )+ 2 ( ) (sin θ ) + 2 2 + =
r 2 dr dr r sin θ ∂θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂ϕ2 k α ∂τ
With no internal heat generation and 1D steady state equation:
1 d 2 dT
(r )=0
r 2 dr dr

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