Robust methodology for determination of heat transfer coefficient distribution in convection

To predict the microstructures, residual stresses and distortions in the heat treated metal components, it is important to accurately know the heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) between the hot work piece and cooling media. In this paper, a new method is presented to accurately determine the node-based HTC distribution by coupling computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with optimal weight functions and scale factors. With this new method, the predicted temperature profile of the work piece during quenching (rapid cooling) is in excellent agreement with experimental measurements. This new method can be also applied to accurately predict convection heat transfer in thermal equipment such as heat exchangers and refrigerators, building thermal design and other heat transfer related situations.