A statistical thermodynamic kinetic theory for heat transfer
mechanisms is proposed based on the thermal energy conservation
and statistical thermodynamics. The heat transfer theory is generally
applicable to heat transfer mechanisms of non-equilibrium,
quasi-equilibrium, and equilibrium. It has a close analogy to the kinetic
theory of electrochemical reactions [1,2]. A total system containing
reactants and products is thermally isolated from its
surroundings and is in thermal non-equilibrium while the two
phases of reactants and products are in mechanical and chemical
isolation. For the system in thermal non-equilibrium, the physical
mechanisms of energy transfer can be described in terms of physical
parameters in local thermodynamic equilibrium [5]. The heat
flux in thermodynamic non-equilibrium is characterized by the
intensive variable of temperature