What are the effects of applying an additional layer of insulation to a cylindrical pipe or a spherical shell?

When an additional layer of insulation is applied to a cylindrical pipe or a spherical shell, the insulation layer works to increase its conduction resistance but at the same time, lowers the convection resistance of the surface.

Explanation:

Generally, when more insulation is added to a wall, the resulting effect is that heat transfer decreases. With increasing thickness of the insulation, the heat transfer rate becomes lesser. This is because the thermal resistance of the wall becomes more with the added insulation, wherein the heat transfer area and convection resistance aren't affected.

However, a different scenario occurs when an additional layer of insulation is applied to a cylindrical pipe or spherical shell. The conduction resistance increases, but the surface convection resistance decreases since the outer surface area for convection also increases and does not remain constant.

Overall, the heat transfer from the cylindrical pipe or spherical shell may increase or decrease, which depends on the effect that dominates.

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