23MEB302 HEAT & MASS TRANSFER (Class B)

Heat and Mass Transfer is a core mechanical engineering subject that deals with the principles governing the transfer of energy (heat) and matter in various engineering systems. The course provides a strong foundation in understanding how heat flows through solids, liquids, and gases, and how mass transfer occurs in different processes.

The subject is broadly divided into three modes of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Students learn how heat is conducted through materials using FourierÙs law, how it is transferred by fluid motion through convection, and how it is emitted and absorbed in the form of radiation. The course also covers important concepts such as thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficients, and dimensionless numbers like Reynolds, Nusselt, and Prandtl numbers.

In addition, the subject introduces mass transfer mechanisms, including diffusion and convective mass transfer. Topics such as FickÙs law, concentration gradients, and analogies between heat and mass transfer are explored to understand real-world applications.

Practical applications are emphasized through the study of heat exchangers, boiling, condensation, and thermal systems, which are widely used in industries such as power plants, refrigeration, air conditioning, and chemical processing. Students also learn to analyze and solve engineering problems involving heat and mass transfer using analytical and empirical methods.