A first course in heat transfer

This textbook is an introduction to heat transfer based on the understanding of the physical phenomena as well as an introduction to heat transfer engineering. The three transfer modes, by conduction, radiation and convection in single phase are treated and coupled in practical applications. The knowledge of the first principle of thermodynamics and basic notions of mathematics are sufficient for a complete understanding of the course. It is completed by a section “Useful data for design”, which allows a first design of many various systems to be achieved.
A particular care is also brought to the methodology for modeling real thermal systems in application exercises and problems, which illustrate the course: First, by defining a resolution strategy, then by building, from realistic assumptions, simple models, which are introduced in the textbook, by solving this well conditioned problem and finally by validating this modeling.



Application problems deal with the design of a thermal solar collector, the thermal design of a nuclear plant, the atmospheric greenhouse effect, the cryogenic engine of a commercial rocket, in order to highlight the universality of heat transfer. This textbook will be an useful tool for undergraduate students and for generalist engineers, particularly design engineers who are not specialized in heat transfer, but have to face heat transfer phenomena in mechanical, chemical, electrical, building and, more generally, energy engineering.