Conductive Heat Transfer Calculator
Calculate steady-state conductive heat flow through walls, insulation layers, and heat exchanger surfaces using Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction.
🔥 Online Conductive Heat Transfer Calculator
Use this free calculator to determine the rate of conductive heat transfer through a flat wall or slab. This tool is widely used in chemical engineering for insulation design, heat exchanger analysis, and energy loss estimation.
Where: q = heat transfer rate (W or Btu/hr), k = thermal conductivity, s = thickness, A = area, t₁, t₂ = temperatures on each side.
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📊 Result
Conductive Heat Transfer Rate:
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What is Conductive Heat Transfer?
Conductive heat transfer is the process by which thermal energy moves through a solid material from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature, without any bulk motion of the material itself. It is governed by Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, which states that the rate of heat flow is proportional to the temperature gradient and the cross-sectional area.
In chemical engineering, conductive heat transfer calculations are essential for:
- Designing insulation for pipes, vessels, and reactors
- Sizing heat exchanger walls and tubes
- Estimating heat losses from storage tanks and furnaces
- Evaluating thermal performance of building envelopes in plant facilities
Common Thermal Conductivity Values
| Material | k (W/m·K) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Copper | 385 | Heat exchanger tubes |
| Carbon Steel | 45–54 | Process piping, vessels |
| Stainless Steel 304 | 14–16 | Corrosive service |
| Glass | 0.8–1.0 | Sight glasses, linings |
| Brick (common) | 0.6–1.0 | Furnace walls |
| Fiberglass Insulation | 0.03–0.05 | Pipe & tank insulation |
| Mineral Wool | 0.03–0.04 | High-temp insulation |
| Air (still) | 0.026 | Gap reference |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fourier's Law states that the rate of heat transfer through a material is proportional to the negative temperature gradient and the area through which the heat flows: q = −k·A·(dT/dx). For a flat wall with constant conductivity, it simplifies to q = (k/s)·A·Î”T.
Heat transfer is inversely proportional to thickness. Doubling the wall thickness halves the heat flow (assuming all other parameters remain constant). This is why thicker insulation reduces heat loss.
This calculator is designed for flat walls. For cylindrical geometries (pipes), the logarithmic mean area must be used. See our Pipe Heat Loss Calculator for cylindrical conduction.
Use consistent units. For SI: k in W/(m·K), A in m², s in m, temperatures in °C or K. For Imperial: k in Btu/(hr·ft·°F), A in ft², s in ft, temperatures in °F.