Abstract: | The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the finite speed of hear transfer on the temperature distribution and heat flux for the case of a step change in temperature at the surface of a semi-infinite body. In the solution, the properties C and ? are assumed constant. The solution yields a maximum but finite heat flux under the conditions of a step change. This a contrary to the infinite value predicted by the error function solution to the Fourier transient conduction equation. In addition, assuming convection is conduction limited; an upper limit for convective heat transfer coefficients is postulated. |
