PROBLEM 9.

9
K

NOWN: Dimensions of vertical rectangular fins. Temperature of fins and quiescent air.
F

IND: (a) Optimum fin spacing, (b) Rate of heat transfer from an array of fins at the optimal spacing.
SCHEMATIC:


A

SSUMPTIONS: (1) Fins are isothermal, (2) Radiation effects are negligible, (3) Air is quiescent.
PROPERTIES: Table A-4, Air (T
f
=325K, 1 atm): =18.41 10
-6
m
2
/s, k =0.0282 W/mK, Pr =
.703. 0

ANALYSIS: (a) If fins are too close, boundary layers on adjoining surfaces will coalesce and heat
transfer will decrease. If fins are too far apart, the surface area becomes too small and heat transfer
decreases. S
op

x=H
. From Fig. 9.4, the edge of boundary layer corresponds to
( ) ( )
1/ 4
/ H Gr / 4 5.
H
=
Hence,
( ) ( ) ( )
( )
3 3 2
g T T H 9.8 m/s 1/325K 50K 0.15m
s 7
Gr 1.5 10
H
2 2
6 2
18.41 10 m /s

= = =

=

< ( ) ( )
( )
1/ 4
7
H 5 0.15m / 1.5 10 / 4 0.017m 17mm S 34mm.
op
= = =

(

b) The number of fins N can be found as

( )
N W/ S t 355/35.5 10
op
= + =

and the rate is ( ) ( q 2 N h H L T T
s
= ).

For laminar flow conditions
( )
4/9
9/16 1/4
Nu 0.68 0.67 Ra / 1 0.492/ Pr
H L

= + +





( )
( )
4/9 1/ 4
9/16 7
Nu 0.68 0.67 1.5 10 0.703 / 1 0.492/ 0.703 30
H

= + + =




( )
2
h k Nu / H 0.0282 W/m K 30 /0.15 m 5.6 W/m K
H
= = =

< ( ) ( ) ( )
2
q 2 10 5.6 W/m K 0.15m 0.02m 350 300 K 16.8 W. = =

COMMENTS: Part (a) result is a conservative estimate of the optimum spacing. The increase in area
resulting from a further reduction in S would more than compensate for the effect of fluid entrapment
due to boundary layer merger. From a more rigorous treatment (see Section 9.7.1), S
op
10 mm is
obtained for the prescribed conditions.
Excerpts fromthis work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in
courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.