Heat Transfer Coeff.
How to Convert W/(m²·K) to BTU/(hr·ft²·°F)
To convert a measurement from Watts per square meter-Kelvin to BTU per hour-square foot-degree Fahrenheit, you use the conversion factor that 1 W/(m²·K) is approximately equal to 0.1761 BTU/(hr·ft²·°F).
Example:
A typical heat transfer coefficient for air is 10 W/(m²·K). Convert this to Imperial units.
10 W/(m²·K) × 0.1761 [BTU/(hr·ft²·°F)] / [W/(m²·K)] ≈ 1.761 BTU/(hr·ft²·°F)
Answer: 10 W/(m²·K) is equal to approximately 1.761 BTU/(hr·ft²·°F).
Understanding Heat Transfer Coefficient
The heat transfer coefficient quantifies the rate of heat transfer between a solid surface and a moving fluid (a process called convection). It's a complex value that depends on fluid properties, flow velocity, and geometry.