Introduction to Heat Transfer

Heat transfer is the study of the flow of heat.



Heat transfer is energy transfer due to a temperature difference in a medium or between two or more media.

Different types of heat transfer processes are called different modes of heat transfer.

  • Conduction heat transfer is due to a temperature gradient in a stationary medium or media.
  • Convection heat transfer occurs between a surface and a moving heat transfer occurs between a surface and a moving fluid at different temperatures
  • Radiation heat transfer occurs due to emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves by all bodies above absolute zero temperature. Net radiation heat transfer occurs when there exists a temperature difference between two or more surfaces emitting radiation energy.