The
heat transfer coefficient or
film coefficient, in
thermodynamics and in
mechanics is the
proportionality constant between the
heat flux and the thermodynamic driving force for the flow of heat (i.e., the temperature difference, Δ
T):
where:
- q: amount of heat transferred (heat flux), W/m2 i.e., thermal power per unit area, q = d/dA
- h: heat transfer coefficient, W/(m2•K)
- ΔT: difference in temperature between the solid surface and surrounding fluid area, K.