ChE 216

Optimization in Flow of Heat

by CONDUCTION
Determination of the Optimum Insulation Thickness
(xopt)

Evelyn R. Laurito
University of Santo Tomas

Economic Analysis
Direct Cost, CD = Cost of heat lost
Fixed Cost, CF = Cost of maintenance and depreciation
TotalCosts
CT=CF+CD
Annual Cost, C
Fixed
Costs, CF

CTmin

xopt
Insulation Thickness (x)

Variable
Costs, CD

CASE 1 HT Area constant

Nomenclature
Tair
x = insulation thickness, cm
A= area of insulation m2
q = total heat lost, W
Hy = hours of operation/yr
ac = Installed equipment Cost/ m3 insulation T1
KF = Annual fixed cost/ installed equipment cost
bc = cost of heat/J
K = thermal conductivity of insulation, W/mK
T = Total temperature drop= T1-TS
hf= air film HTC, W/m2K
hr= radiant HTC, W/m2K

Tw

TS

Tair TS

Heat Flow by conduction in a slab

If Tw is not
hr known
6.165
1
2

bc Hy K T1 TS
100 K
h h
K

a
F c
f
r

xopt 6000

xhopt6.165
r

cm

If Tw is known
bc Hy K T1 TW

KF ac

1
2

xopt 6000

Formulas for hf and hr

For vertical plates with height greater than 1 ft

hf 0.3 TW Tair 4

For Air:

BTU/hrft o F

To convert
to W/m2K, multiply hf by 5.678
TW TS 1.8
4

hf 0.28 5.678

4
T 273 4
W
Ts 273

100 100

5.672

hr

T2 Ts

hr

W/m2K

DSO 18
1/8/2012

ChE 216- Plant Design Course Notes

by Evelyn R. Laurito

Example 1
Calculate the optimum thickness (cm) needed for a furnace
if the walls are made of Fireclay brick
Table 6/877: Temp = 392oF
K=0.58 BTU/hr-(ft2oF/ft)
o
1832 F
K=0.95
The inside furnace temperature is 500oF and the outside
wall surface is at 100oF. Heat cost is $0.02/kJ and installed
insulation costs are $4/cm3 insulation.

Solution

Example 2

Solution
.02
bc
1000

ac 4 ( 100 )

Hy 8760

KF .2

.8

Assume Tw is 165oF

T0F 500

TwF 165

T0F 32
T0C
1.8

TwC

T T0C TSC

TwF 32
1.8

TSF 32
1.8

TwC 73.889

Tave 332.5

Tave 392

( .58 .95) .58 1.73

392 1832

K 0.977

Solution

Tave 392

( .58 .95) .58 1.73

392 1832

For vertical plates with height greater than 1 ft

hf 5.678 .3 TwF TSF

1
4

hf 5.172

T 273 4 T 273 4
wC
SC
5.672


100
100

hr
T
T
wC

SC

Che ck for Tw:

Given
T0C TwC

TwC TSC

xopt
100

1
hf hr

Find TwC 74.097

TwC 74.097

hr 6.165
1
2

bc Hy K T
100 K
xopt 6000

K

a
h
F
c
f hr

xopt 33.776

TSC

T 233.333 de g C

T0F TwF

Tave

TSF 80

TwF 1.8 TwC 32

TwF 165.375

cm