ABSTRACT

Radiant heat transfer requires a line-of-sight to the flame. Only this heat transfer mechanism can oper­ ate in a vacuum. For example, the Earth receives essen­ tially all its heat from the sun through this mechanism. Convection requires the bulk movement of a hot fluid. In a boiler, hot combustion gases transfer heat to the outer tube wall via convection. Convection occurs naturally by means of buoyancy differences between hot and cool flu­ ids, termed natural convection, or by motive devices such as fans or blowers creating high velocities, termed forced convection. Heat transfers from the outer to inner tube wall by conduction-the predominant heat transfer mode through metals. Inside the tube, convection is the pre­ dominant mode of heat transfer to the inside fluid. A more complete discussion of heat transfer is given in Chapter 7.