Numerical Studies on Natural Convection Heat Transfer – Fins with Closed Top

Abstract:

Fins are extended surfaces provided to enhance the heat transfer rate of a system. Several attempts have been made in the past to augment the heat transfer rate by using fins of various geometries. In the present study an array of rectangular fins with closed top, standing on a vertical base is analysed under natural convection conditions using commercial CFD code ANSYS FLUENT©. The numerical model is validated with the available experimental results for fins with open top under natural convection conditions. The plate fin heat sink is analysed for a constant heat duty of 60 W. The height, thickness and length of the fins are taken to be constant throughout the analysis. A detailed study is carried out to examine the dependency of the base plate temperature on the thickness of the closed top and on the number of fins. It is concluded based on the analysis that heat fins with closed top are found to have a decreased base plate temperature compared to the conventional rectangular fins.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 592-594)
• Pages: 1682-1686
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.592-594.1682
• Online since: July 2014
• Authors: C. Balachandar, S. Arunkumar, M. Venkatesan*
• Keywords: Fin Spacing Optimisation, Fins with Closed Top, Heat Fins, Natural Convection

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