Scaling in domestic heating equipment: getting to know a complex phenomenon

H Brink1, P G G Slaats, M W M van Eekeren

  • 1Kiwa Water Research, P.O. Box 1072, 3430 BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. henk.brink@kiwa.nl

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When a substance—isolated from its environment—is subjected to heat changes, corresponding changes in temperature and phase of the substance is observed; this is graphically represented by heating and cooling curves.
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Heat transfer between the human body and its environment occurs through four main mechanisms: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation.
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Just as interesting as the effects of heat transfer on a system are the methods by which the heat transfer occur. Whenever there is a temperature difference, heat transfer occurs. It may occur rapidly, such as through a cooking pan, or slowly, such as through the walls of a picnic ice box. So many processes involve heat transfer that it is hard to imagine a situation where no heat transfer occurs. Yet, every heat transfer takes place by only three methods: conduction, convection, and radiation.
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San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge is exposed to temperatures ranging from -15 °C to 40 °C. At its coldest, the main span of the bridge is 1275 m long. Assuming that the bridge is made entirely of steel, what is the change in its length between these temperatures?
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In designing and analyzing filters, resonant circuits, or circuit analysis at large, working with standard element values like 1 ohm, 1 henry, or 1 farad can be convenient before scaling these values to more realistic figures. This approach is widely utilized by not employing realistic element values in numerous examples and problems; it simplifies mastering circuit analysis through convenient component values. The complexity of calculations is thereby reduced, with the understanding that...