This calculation example demonstrates how to find the Heat Transfer Rate through a plane wall under Steady-state 1D Conduction using Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, which is a fundamental approach for evaluating heat loss or designing thermal insulation in engineering.
A concrete wall has a thickness (L) of 0.2 m and a cross-sectional area (A) of 10 m². The material has a thermal conductivity (k) of 1.4 W/(m·K). If one side of the wall is at a temperature (TH) of 25 °C and the other side is at (TC) 5 °C, calculate the heat transfer rate (qk) through this wall according to Fourier's law. (Note: You can modify the variables in the input section.)
Calculate the heat transfer rate (qk) According to Fourier's law for 1D heat conduction:
From the calculation using Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, the heat transfer rate through the wall is W (or J/s).
This value indicates the amount of thermal energy transferred through the material every second. In engineering, if we want to reduce this heat loss rate (e.g., to save energy in air conditioning systems or furnaces), we can do so by selecting materials with lower thermal conductivity (k) (such as adding thermal insulation layers) or by increasing the wall thickness (L). This will increase the Thermal Resistance, thereby reducing the heat transfer rate.