Conduction Shape Factor

This approach applied to 2-D conduction involving two isothermal surfaces, with all other surfaces being adiabatic. The heat transfer from one surface (at a temperature T1) to the other surface (at T2) can be expressed as: q=Sk(T1-T2) where k is the thermal conductivity of the solid and S is the conduction shape factor.

• The shape factor can be related to the thermal resistance: q=Sk(T1-T2)=(T1-T2)/(1/kS)= (T1-T2)/Rt

where Rt = 1/(kS)

• 1-D heat transfer can use shape factor also. Ex: heat transfer inside a plane wall of thickness L is q=kA(DT/L), S=A/L

• Common shape factors for selected configurations can be found in Table 8.7

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