A Thermal Resistance Model for Problems Involving Chemical Reactions and Phase Transition

Abstract

This paper formulates a modified thermal resistance model (MTRM) for dealing with heat transfer situations involving heat sources from chemical reactions or phase transition. The modified thermal resistance model describes the various heat transfer mechanisms by three common thermal resistors, radiation, convection, and conduction (in media with no internal mass diffusion), adding a new coupled thermal resistor that stands for conduction and enthalpy flow in the gas phase. Similarly to the classical thermal resistance approach, the present model is valid for one-dimensional, quasi-steady heat transfer problems, but it can also handle problems with an internal chemical heat generation source. The new thermal resistance approach can be a useful modular tool for solving relatively easily and quickly complex problems involving chemical reactions and phase transition, such as combustion problems.