Hi Mr Jani,

You can using the finite difference method to evaluate the temperature distribution over a surface. Nevertheless, I think Finite Volume Method is better than Finite Difference Method.

hi Mr Jani,

you can using the FDM to solve this problem type. good luck

Thank you Alliche Mounir sir for your answer.

Hi Mr Jani,

You can using the finite difference method to evaluate the temperature distribution over a surface. Nevertheless, I think Finite Volume Method is better than Finite Difference Method.

hi sir,

If your geometry is simple and regular then FDM is easier else Fem may be applied.

 hi sir, 

of course you can use FDM  to determine temperature distribution over a surface. But Finite Volume Method is far better than FDM. You may refer the book on Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow by S V Patankar. It will be really helpful.

Hi Dr Jani,

Yes, of course!

Thank you Alliche Mounir, Omar Rafae Alomar, Sunil Sunil , Mohammad Asif, Cherif Bougriou for your valuable answers.

Dear D.B. Jani:

As your question is posed, yes!, in principle, the finite difference method (FDM) may be used to “determine the temperature distribution over a surface” (assuming it implicitly to be a solid one!); however, depending on the particulars of the actual heat-transfer problem, FDM may not be the most suitable numerical method to solve the latter – as pointed out previously by some of our colleagues.  Therefore, one should carefully analyze the real situation before deciding which numerical technique – or, for that matter, analytical procedure (exact or approximate), if feasible – appeared to be the best candidate for solving successfully the problem at hand.  Otherwise, it may happen that an ill-chosen numerical method might cause, among other undesirable effects, convergence and/or stability issues, prohibitive computer running-times, excessive computer storage, etc.  In this regard, the suitability of a numerical procedure – as applied to heat-transfer problems - depends, in general, on the following main factors: the accuracy criteria, geometry (including if single/multiple domains), homogeneous/nonhomogeneous media, substance(s) phase-change prevalence, steady/unsteady state, absence/presence of heat sources, temperature range, initial/boundary conditions, solid/fluid interfaces, moving/stationary boundaries, closed/open systems , flow regimes, thermal radiation heat-transfer, numerical scheme grid cell/time step sizes, and so on.  None of the latter circumstances are accurately mentioned in your query; then, it seems prudent not to categorically advise you about the suitability of FDM for your particular situation.  Nevertheless, as an alternative, I suggest you to consult, at least, some of the following excellent textbooks, and Reference books, (or equivalent) - just in case, you were not familiar with them (or some) – in order to choose the best mathematical method, in relation with your query.  Thus:

1)    Carslaw, H.S. and J.C. Jaeger, “Conduction of Heat in Solids”, 2nd Edition, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1959. (Reprinted:1986, …., 2000)

2)    Arpaci, V.S., “Conduction Heat Transfer”, Addison-Wesley, 1966.

3)   Özisik, M.N., “Boundary Value Problems of Heat Conduction”, Dover Books, 1989. (Reprinted: 2002, …., 2013)

4)   Kays, W.M.; M.E. Crawford and B. Weigand, “Convective Heat and Mass Transfer”, 4th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2004.

5)   Özisik, M.N., “Finite Difference Methods in Heat Transfer”, CRC Press, 1994.

6)   Ferziger, J.H., “Numerical Methods for Engineering Application”, Wiley-Interscience, 1981.

7)   Ferziger, J.H. and M. Peric, “Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics”, 3rd Edition, Springer-Verlag, 2002.

8)   Zauderer, E., “Partial Differential Equations of Applied Mathematics”, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Interscience, 1989.

9)   Lapidus, L. and G.F. Pinder, “Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations in Science and Engineering”, John Wiley & Sons, 1982.

10)  Tong, P. and J.N. Rossettos, “Finite-Element Method: Basic Technique and Implementation”, Dover Books, 2008.

11)  Zienkiewicz, O.C., “The Finite Element Method”, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, 1983. (New Editions: 4th, …., 7th)

I wish the above is helpful to you.

Best regards, Ángel.

Thank you Angel Madrid sir for your detailed answer and help. 

Yes you can.  Angel Madrid aptly said everything 

I have used FDM to calculate temperature distribution in different heat transfer elements in rotary heat exchangers (Ljungsröm type) many years, The FDM can also be further developed to calculate distribution of sulphuric acid, ammonium bisulfate, water..e.t.c.. All my presented results of Heat  Exchangers on Research Gate are made by FDM. So good luck!

finite volume method is sugestable because by using this we can find the temperature overall the body 

by FDM we can only determine at phase centres

Which is less accurate

Thank you Bo Ivar Sångfors and Ujwal krishna kilaru for your valuable answers.