The study of thermal conductivity and its impact on heat transfer is essential in various fields such as engineering, materials science, and energy efficiency. This CFD simulation explores the intricate relationship between a material’s thermal conductivity and its ability to transfer heat. We can gain valuable insights into heat flow mechanisms and their practical applications by examining how different materials with varying thermal conductivities behave under specific temperature gradients. Understanding these principles is crucial for designing energy-efficient buildings, developing advanced thermal management systems, and optimizing industrial processes where heat transfer is critical. Through this simulation, we will investigate how thermal conductivity influences the rate and efficiency of heat transfer, providing a foundation for further analysis and real-world applications.

Simulation Process

The current simulation concentrates on the effect of thermal conductivity on the heat transfer of a cylinder. The cylinder inside a vast domain is initially designed regarding blockage for further steps. ANSYS Meshing produces a structured grid, leading to 48300 cells. 20-degree air passes through the hot cylinder. A 25000 w/m2 point source is set in the central point. The aluminum cylinder’s thermal conductivity is ten times bigger in one of the cases.

Figure 1: Schematic of produced structured grid by ANSYS Meshing

Post-processing

The results from the simulation offer valuable insights into how thermal conductivity affects heat transfer in an aluminum cylinder. A heat source of 25000 W/m² was positioned at the center of the cylinder, and two scenarios with different thermal conductivities (K) were studied: Case 1 with K=0.024 and Case 2 with K=0.24. Despite an increase in thermal conductivity, the temperature disparity at the cylinder wall between the two cases is relatively small. Case 1 indicates 35.189°C, while Case 2 shows 35.148°C. This minute difference of 0.041°C suggests that the heat distribution within the cylinder is efficient even at lower thermal conductivity values. The temperature contour plots vividly depict the heat dissipation pattern, with concentric isothermal lines emanating from the central heat source. The higher thermal conductivity in Case 2 leads to a more uniform temperature distribution, observed through the wider spacing between isothermal lines and a slightly lower temperature at the cylinder wall. This analysis reveals that while increased thermal conductivity improves heat transfer, the impact on the overall temperature distribution may be less significant, particularly in materials with already favorable heat conduction properties like aluminum.