Internal Pipe Flow Convection Coefficient

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The equation used here for the average convection heat transfer coefficient along the inside wall of a pipe with fluid flowing inside:
H = .023 * Re(D)^.8 * Pr ⁿ * k / D
units are shown in the table below.

Notes:

• The units of input variable Cp are kJ/kg/deg K. For example Cp(air) = 1.005
• Gas constant R for air is .287 kJ/kg/deg K
• The external, or pipe wall temperature is needed to determine the Prandlt number exponent (which will be .4 if the Twall>Tfluid inlet and will be .3 if Twall>Tfluid).
• The inlet enhancement effect on convection coefficient (as the boundary layer builds up) is not accounted for.
• Internal fluid density is calculated using the Ideal Gas equation.
• Turbulent flow is assumed.
• Re(D) = 4 * massflow / pi / D / mu
• D and L are input in mm and converted to meters internally.
• For non-round pipes and ducts, use the hydraulic diameter for D.

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