This page calculates the average heat transfer coefficient and heat convected from an isothermal (constant temperature) heated horizontal flat plate's upper surface at a specified temperature in a natural convection environment. The convection calculation automatically switches between calculation methods based on Rayleigh number.

Define the plate size, surface temperature, ambient air fluid temperature. You also need to define the fluid properties. This page will calculate a heat transfer coefficient based on the flow conditions as well as the heat transfer by convection from the isothermal plate.

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Plate and Flow Conditions

Fluid Properties at Film Temperature, Except for Density. (Defaults are for Air at 20C)

Description Symbol Value Units
Film Temperature = (Tp+Ta)/2 Tf oC
Specific Heat Cp J/kg-oC
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion B 1/K
Thermal Conductivity k W/m-oC
Dynamic Viscosity µ m2/s
Density at reference temperature of 20 C rhoref kg/m3
Density calculated at film temperature Tf rho kg/m3
Emissivity e None

Plate Dimensions

Description Symbol Value Units
Plate Width W Meters
Plate Length L Meters
Plate Temperature Tp oC
Ambient Temperature Ta oC

Results for Plate

Description Symbol Value Units
Prandtl Number = v/a Pr None
Grashof Number = g*cte*(Tp-Ta)*((W*L)/(2W+2L)3)/v2 Gr None
Rayleigh Number = Gr*Pr Ra None
Nusselt Number = Nu None
Average Heat Transfer Coefficient = Nu*k/((W*L)/(2W+2L)) h W/m2-C
Convective Heat Transfer = h*W*L*(Tp-Ta) qconv W
Radiative Heat Transfer = Sigma*W*L*e*(Tp4-Ta4) qrad   W
Total Heat Transfer = qconv + qrad qtot   W

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