Heat and Mass Transfer Calculators

Heat and Mass Transfer extends Thermodynamics into the realm of rate processes — not just how much heat is transferred, but how fast and through what mechanisms. The three modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) are analyzed separately and in combination.

Conduction through solids is governed by Fourier's Law and is analyzed using thermal resistance networks that are analogous to electrical circuits. The thermal conductivity of materials is a key property that drives insulation design, heat exchanger sizing, and electronics cooling. Convection couples fluid flow to heat transfer and is more complex due to the dependence of the convection coefficient on flow velocity, geometry, and fluid properties. Forced convection in pipes and over flat plates is correlated using dimensionless numbers: Nusselt, Prandtl, and Reynolds. Natural (free) convection results from buoyancy-driven flow caused by temperature-induced density differences. Radiation heat transfer requires no medium and becomes dominant at high temperatures; it is governed by the Stefan-Boltzmann law and is affected by geometry through view factors. Heat exchangers — devices designed to transfer heat between two fluid streams — are analyzed using LMTD or NTU-effectiveness methods. Extended surfaces (fins) increase heat transfer area and are analyzed for efficiency and effectiveness.

Heat Transfer is applied in HVAC system design, electronics thermal management, power plant optimization, food processing, and anywhere that precise control of temperature and heat flux is required.