Tree-like branching fins : Performance and natural

convective heat transfer behavior.

By David Calamas, John Baker.
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THIRUVANANTAPURAM
PRESENTATION ON :-
WHAT IS THE AIM ??
Performance & natural convective heat transfer behavior of
tree like branching fins.
Computationally examined, validated and verified
dimensionless numbers.
Performance parameters
I. Fin effectiveness
II. Fin efficiency
III. Fins base temp. is computed with varying fins
geometric and materialistic parameters.*

Computed performance of microscale, mesoscale and
macroscale tree-like fins for the same geometry.
.


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*Geometric parameters like Bifurcation angle, width-to-thickness ratio, scale.
Materialistic parameters is the type of material used.
INTRODUCTION
Design optimization of
extended surfaces to
maximize heat rejection
while minimizing the mass &
volume.
Tree like fins increase in
surface area/unit mass
compared with rectangular
fins.
Compared for 3 branching
networks of bifurcation
angles 30, 60 and 90
degrees by varying geometric
scale ratios as described.

30

Tree-like fins
In design and characterization of the branching networks, branch scale
ratios are employed.
1. Width scale ratio

2. Length scale ratio

3. Width-to-thickness ratio

Here n is the no. of branches n =2, as each parent branch divides into two
daughter branches.

1/ 2
1 k
k
l
n
l

+
= =
1/ 2
1 k
k
w
n
w
|

+
= =
w
o
I =

Theoretical model
Performed computational fluid dynamic simulation
using finite element method.
Governed by steady form of 3-D continuity,
momentum and energy equations.
Boundary conditions :- constant heat flux at the base of
the fin.
Finite volume method spatially computational mesh
has been employed.
Numerical model is spatially second order accurate.
Second order upwind approximations of fluxes.