Problem #1 [40 Points] External Forced Convection-Turbulent Flow
Consider a refrigeration truck traveling at ~55 mph at a location where the air temperature is 80°F. The refrigerated compartment of the truck can be considered to be a 9-ft-wide, 8-ft-high, and 20-ft-long rectangular box. The refrigeration system of the truck can provide 3 tons of refrigeration (i.e., it can remove heat at a rate of 600 Btu/min). The outer surface of the truck is coated with a low-emissive material, and thus radiation heat transfer is very small. Determine the average temperature of the outer surface of the refrigeration compartment of the truck if the refrigeration system is observed to be operating at half capacity. Assume the air flow over the entire outer surface to be turbulent and the heat transfer coefficient at the front and rear surfaces to be equal to that on the side surfaces.
Given:
k = 0.0148 Btu/hrft°F
v = 0.1697x10^3 ft/s
Pr =
Assume:
Steady operating conditions
Neglect radiation
Air is an ideal gas
Constant properties
Air flow turbulent over entire surface
Nu = hL/k = 0.037 Re Pr^(1/3)
R = VL/v
Sketch:
Air
80°F
Y = 55 mph