Thermal Energy Essay

PROPERTIES OF THERMAL INSULATION SYSTEMS:

Thermal Energy: the random movement of molecules in a system with respect to its temperature is what is refer to as thermal energy or internal kinetic energy. Kinetic energy exist in three basic forms: translational, vibrational and rotational. Translational is the energy which is as a result of the movement of molecules to each other, vibrational as a result of the vibrating motion of the molecules and rotational due to the rotating motion of molecules.

The thermal energy of a system is directly related to the system temperature, because of this relationship the greater the molecules, the more the movement of molecules within a given system, the higher the temperature and higher the thermal energy.

From a microscopic point

Radiation is a means of heat transfer that does not depend on any interaction between the source of heat and the heated material. Thus thermal radiation is a means of transportation of energy involving the travelling of electromagnetic waves at the speed of light (i.e. heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation). It occurs without mass exchanged and it required no medium for it occurrence. Nevertheless at a water depth of 2000 metres from the sea subsurface, the effect of heat transfer via radiation is insignificant on wet insulation system operational condition and therefore does not contribute significantly on their ageing/degradation [ref]. Thermal conductivity (Ⱪ) and Resistance (R)

Thermal conductivity denote by the symbols (K or ʎ) express how heat can flow through a given object independent of its thickness. I.e. it determine the ability of a material to conduct heat. Materials with lower thermal conductivity gives better thermal performance (heat will travel across the material slowly). It unite of measurement is watts per metre kelvin (W/Mk) and is express as K = q (L/∆T)……………………