BIOT

Excel Usage

=BIOT(h, L, k)
  • h (float, required): Heat transfer coefficient [W/m^2/K]
  • L (float, required): Characteristic length [m]
  • k (float, required): Thermal conductivity within the object [W/m/K]

Returns (float): Biot number [-]

Examples

Example 1: Biot number with h=1000, L=1.2, k=300

Inputs:

h L k
1000 1.2 300

Excel formula:

=BIOT(1000, 1.2, 300)

Expected output:

4

Example 2: Biot number with h=10000, L=0.01, k=4000

Inputs:

h L k
10000 0.01 4000

Excel formula:

=BIOT(10000, 0.01, 4000)

Expected output:

0.025

Example 3: Small Biot number (internal heat transfer dominant)

Inputs:

h L k
100 0.1 50

Excel formula:

=BIOT(100, 0.1, 50)

Expected output:

0.2

Example 4: Large Biot number (surface heat transfer dominant)

Inputs:

h L k
5000 0.5 10

Excel formula:

=BIOT(5000, 0.5, 10)

Expected output:

250

Python Code

from fluids.core import Biot as fluids_Biot

def biot(h, L, k):
    """
    Calculate the Biot number for heat transfer.

    See: https://fluids.readthedocs.io/fluids.core.html#fluids.core.Biot

    This example function is provided as-is without any representation of accuracy.

    Args:
        h (float): Heat transfer coefficient [W/m^2/K]
        L (float): Characteristic length [m]
        k (float): Thermal conductivity within the object [W/m/K]

    Returns:
        float: Biot number [-]
    """
    try:
        h = float(h)
        L = float(L)
        k = float(k)

        if h < 0 or L < 0 or k <= 0:
            return "Error: h and L must be non-negative, k must be positive"

        result = fluids_Biot(h, L, k)
        return float(result)
    except (TypeError, ValueError) as e:
        return f"Error: Invalid input - {str(e)}"
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

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