Generalized thermal resistance for convective heat transfer and its relation to entransy dissipation

Abstract

In order to further analyze and optimize convective heat transfer process further, the concepts of heat flux weighted average heat temperature and heat flux weighted average heat temperature difference in multi-dimensional heat transfer system were introduced in this paper. The ratio of temperature difference to heat flux is defined as the generalized thermal resistance of convective heat transfer processes, and then the minimum thermal resistance theory for convective heat transfer optimization was developed. By analyzing the relationship between generalized thermal resistance and entansy dissipation in convective heat transfer processes, it can be concluded that the minimum thermal resistance theory equals the entransy dissipation extremum theory. Finally, a two-dimensional convective heat transfer process with constant wall temperature is taken as an example to illustrate the applicability of generalized thermal resistance to convective heat transfer process analysis and optimization.