Fin Design

T
Tb

Total heat loss: qf=Mtanh(mL) for an

adiabatic fin, or qf=Mtanh(mLC) if there is
convective heat transfer at the tip

hP
where m=
, and M= hPkA C b hPkA C (Tb T )
kAc
Use the thermal resistance concept:
(T T )
q f hPkA C tanh( mL)(Tb T ) b
Rt , f
where Rt , f is the thermal resistance of the fin.
For a fin with an adiabatic tip, the fin resistance can be expressed as
(Tb T )
1
Rt , f

qf
hPkA C [tanh( mL)]

Fin Effectiveness
How effective a fin can enhance heat transfer is characterized by the
fin effectiveness f: Ratio of fin heat transfer and the heat transfer
without the fin. For an adiabatic fin:

qf
q

qf
hAC (Tb T )

hPkA C tanh( mL)

kP

tanh( mL)
hAC
hAC

If the fin is long enough, mL>2, tanh(mL) 1,

it can be considered an infinite fin (case D of table3.4)
kP
k PP
k
f

hAC
h
A
h ACC
In order to enhance heat transfer, f 1.
However, f 2 will be considered justifiable
If f <1 then we have an insulator instead of a heat fin

Fin Effectiveness (cont.)

f

kP
k P

hAC
h AC

To increase f, the fins material should have higher thermal

conductivity, k.
It seems to be counterintuitive that the lower convection
coefficient, h, the higher f. But it is not because if h is very high,
it is not necessary to enhance heat transfer by adding heat fins.
Therefore, heat fins are more effective if h is low. Observation: If
fins are to be used on surfaces separating gas and liquid. Fins are
usually placed on the gas side. (Why?)
P/AC should be as high as possible. Use a square fin with a
dimension of W by W as an example: P=4W, AC=W2, P/AC=(4/W).
The smaller W, the higher the P/AC, and the higher f.
Conclusion: It is preferred to use thin and closely spaced (to
increase the total number) fins.

Fin Effectiveness (cont.)

The effectiveness of a fin can also be characterized as

qf
q

qf
hAC (Tb T )

(Tb T ) / Rt , f
(Tb T ) / Rt ,h

Rt ,h

Rt , f

It is a ratio of the thermal resistance due to convection to

the thermal resistance of a fin. In order to enhance heat transfer,
the fin's resistance should be lower than that of the resistance
due only to convection.

Fin Efficiency
Define Fin efficiency: f

qf
q max

where q max represents an idealized situation such that the fin is made up
of material with infinite thermal conductivity. Therefore, the fin should
be at the same temperature as the temperature of the base.
q max hA f (Tb T )

T(x)<Tb for heat transfer

to take place
Tb

Total fin heat transfer qf

Real situation

For infinite k
T(x)=Tb, the heat transfer
is maximum

x Ideal heat transfer qmax

Ideal situation

Fin Efficiency (cont.)

Use an adiabatic rectangular fin as an example:
f

qf
qmax

M tanh mL

hA f (Tb T )

hPkAc (Tb T ) tanh mL

hPL(Tb T )

tanh mL
tanh mL

(see Table 3.5 for f of common fins)

mL
hP
Figures 8-59, 8-60
L
kAc

The fin heat transfer: q f f qmax f hA f (Tb T )

qf

Tb T
T T
1
b
, where Rt , f
1/( f hA f )
Rt , f
f hA f

Thermal resistance for a single fin.

As compared to convective heat transfer: Rt ,b

1
hAb

In order to have a lower resistance as that is required to

enhance heat transfer: Rt ,b Rt , f or A b f Af

Overall Fin Efficiency

Overall fin efficiency for an array of fins:
qf

Define terms: Ab: base area exposed to coolant

Af: surface area of a single fin
At: total area including base area and total
finned surface, At=Ab+NAf
N: total number of fins

qb

qt qb Nq f hAb (Tb T ) N f hAf (Tb T )

h[( At NA f ) N f Af ](Tb T ) h[ At NAf (1 f )](Tb T )
hAt [1

NAf
At

(1 f )](Tb T ) O hAt (Tb T )

Define overall fin efficiency: O 1

NAf
At

(1 f )

Heat Transfer from a Fin Array

Tb T
1
qt hAtO (Tb T )
where Rt ,O
Rt ,O
hAtO
Compare to heat transfer without fins
1
q hA(Tb T ) h ( Ab NAb, f )(Tb T )
hA
where Ab,f is the base area (unexposed) for the fin
To enhance heat transfer AtO A =Ab+NAb,f
That is, to increase the effective area O At .

Thermal Resistance Concept

L1 t

A=Ab+NAb,f
Rb=t/(kbA)

T1

T1

T2

R1=L1/(k1A)

T2

Tb

Tb

Rt ,O 1 /( hAtO )

T1 T
T1 T
q

R R1 Rb Rt ,O