- #1
Thevan
- 4
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A steel pipe with foam insulation is embedded in a concrete wall. The steel pipe is carrying cold water and therefore gains heat from outside atmosphere. Heat transfers through the concrete wall, foam insulation and then to the pipe. Is it possible to calculate critical radius of insulation for this scenario?
(I understand that the critical radius = k/h can only be applied when the foam insulation is exposed to the atmosphere. We can't use heat transfer coefficient (h value) since convection is not possible between 2 solids (foam and concrete, in this case. In the above scenario, concrete wall becomes a part of the insulation.)
Is there another formula/methodology I can use to calculate critical radius for the above scenario?
(I understand that the critical radius = k/h can only be applied when the foam insulation is exposed to the atmosphere. We can't use heat transfer coefficient (h value) since convection is not possible between 2 solids (foam and concrete, in this case. In the above scenario, concrete wall becomes a part of the insulation.)
Is there another formula/methodology I can use to calculate critical radius for the above scenario?