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Analysis of unsteady heat conduction in regular bodies evolved from uniform surface heat flux: Application of the method of discretization in time coupled with regression analysis
Antonio Campo
Thermal Science and Engineering 2026, 9(2), 10798; https://doi.org/10.24294/tse10798
Submitted:09 Dec 2024
Accepted:09 May 2026
Published:17 Aug 2026
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Abstract

The Method of Discretization in Time (MDT) is a hybrid numerical technique intended to alleviate upfront the computational procedure of time–dependent partial differential equations of parabolic type. The MDT engenders a sequence of adjoint second order ordinary differential equations, wherein the space coordinate is the independent variable while time metamorphosis into an embedded parameter. Fundamentally, the adjoint second order ordinary differential equations are considered of “quasi–stationary” nature. In this work, the MDT is used for the analysis of unsteady heat conduction in regular bodies (large wall, long cylinder and sphere) receiving uniform surface heat flux. In engineering applications, the uniform surface heat flux is customarily provided by electrical heating, radiative heating and pool fire heating. From the outcome of the MDT calculations, it is demonstrated that the approximate, semi–analytical temperature solutions of the first adjoint “quasi–stationary” heat conduction equation based on the first time jump are easily obtainable for the regular bodies. For enhanced accuracy, regression analysis is applied to the deviations of the dimensionless surface temperature varying with the dimensionless time for each regular body.

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