The side surfaces of a 3-m-high cubic industrial furnace burning natural gas are not insulated, and the temperature at the outer surface of this section is measured to be 110°C. The temperature of the furnace room, including its surfaces, is 30°C, and the emissivity of the outer surface of the furnace is 0.7. It is proposed that this section of the furnace wall be insulated with glass wool insulation (k = 0.038 W/m·K) wrapped by a reflective sheet (« = 0.2) in order to reduce the heat loss by 90 percent. Assuming the outer surface temperature of the metal section still remains at about 110°C, determine the thickness of the insulation that needs to be used. The furnace operates continuously throughout the year and has an efficiency of 78 percent. The price of the natural gas is $1.10/therm (1 therm = 105,500 kJ of energy content). If the installation of the insulation will cost $550 for materials and labor, determine how long it will take for the insulation to pay for itself from the energy it saves.

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter17: Energy In Thermal Processes: The First Law Of Thermodynamics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 74P
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

The side surfaces of a 3-m-high cubic industrial
furnace burning natural gas are not insulated, and the temperature
at the outer surface of this section is measured to
be 110°C. The temperature of the furnace room, including
its surfaces, is 30°C, and the emissivity of the outer surface
of the furnace is 0.7. It is proposed that this section of the
furnace wall be insulated with glass wool insulation (k =
0.038 W/m·K) wrapped by a reflective sheet (« = 0.2) in
order to reduce the heat loss by 90 percent. Assuming the
outer surface temperature of the metal section still remains
at about 110°C, determine the thickness of the insulation that
needs to be used.
The furnace operates continuously throughout the year
and has an efficiency of 78 percent. The price of the natural
gas is $1.10/therm (1 therm = 105,500 kJ of energy content).
If the installation of the insulation will cost $550 for materials
and labor, determine how long it will take for the insulation
to pay for itself from the energy it saves.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 9 steps with 15 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Energy transfer
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations…
Physics
ISBN:
9781133939146
Author:
Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics
ISBN:
9781305116399
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern …
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern …
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553292
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning