Heat Flux Density
How to Convert W/m² to BTU/(hr·ft²)
To convert a measurement from Watts per square meter to British Thermal Units per hour-square foot, you use the conversion factor that 1 W/m² is approximately equal to 0.317 BTU/(hr·ft²).
Example:
The solar radiation reaching Earth's surface is about 1000 W/m². Convert this to BTU/(hr·ft²).
1000 W/m² × 0.317 [BTU/(hr·ft²)] / [W/m²] ≈ 317 BTU/(hr·ft²)
Answer: A heat flux of 1000 W/m² is equal to approximately 317 BTU per hour per square foot.
Understanding Heat Flux Density
Heat flux density is the rate of heat energy transfer through a given surface per unit area. It's a measure of the intensity of heat transfer, commonly used in analyzing thermal systems like engines, heat exchangers, and building insulation.