Finite element model for thermal analysis of ceramic heat exchanger tube under axial non-uniform convective heat transfer coefficient

The temperature distribution for steady-state heat transfer and the thermal stresses induced by temperature difference in a silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic tube of heat transfer equipment was studied in the paper. Finite element method (FEM) was used to compute the temperature and the stress fields. The effect of the axial non-uniform convective heat transfer coefficient on the temperature and thermal stresses have been discussed in terms of the results by FEM. The results showed that the non-uniform heat transfer coefficient is considerable effect on temperature distribution and stress fields ceramic heat exchanger tube. Is is also concluded that the finite element method can be used to analysis similar thermal problems.