EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF FINS

WITH
DIFFERENT CROSS SECTONS

SUBMITTED BY

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ABSTRACT

The fins are generally used to increase the heat transfer rate from the system to the surroundings by
increasing the heat transfer area. The fins are generally extended surfaces or projections of materials on the
system.
The fins are commonly used on small power developing machine as engines used for motorcycles as well
as small capacity compressors. They are also used in many refrigeration systems (evaporators and condensers) for
increasing the heat transfer rates.

In the present analysis, the fins that are of different cross sections and of same material (aluminium) are
considered. The knowledge of efficiency and effectiveness of the fin are necessary for proper design of fins. The
main objective of our analysis is to determine the most effective cross section among the various cross sections
available. The efficiency and effectiveness of various cross sections are determined experimentally by cross
sectional area and volume as constant for each cross section.

The various cross sections, which are adopted, are:

 Triangular
 Square
 Hexagon
 Hollow triangle
 Hollow circular
 Hollow Square

The fins, which are taken in the analysis, are experimented for the condition of fin with insulated end i.e.
the fin is short fin with insulated end. Comparison is made among the solid sections and between the hollow and
solid sections. The graphs plotted give a clear view of the comparisons. In the experiment, various cross sections of
aluminium are taken due to its lightweight and high conductivity and it is most widely used in the industrial
applications.

NECESSITY OF FINS

The heat that is generated produced or developed in the system that conducts through the walls or
boundaries is to be continuously dissipated to the surroundings or environment to keep the system in steady state
condition. Large quantities of heat have to be dissipated from small area as heat transfer by convection between a
surface and the fluid surroundings. It can be increased by attaching thin strips of metals called fins to the surface of
the system.

The fin is generally an extended surface on the system. Whenever the available surface is found to be
inadequate to transfer the required quantity of heat with the available temperature drop & convective heat
transfer coefficient, the surface area exposed to the surroundings is frequently increased by attachment to
protrusions to the surfaces. These protrusions are called fins or spines. Thus, the fins increase the effective area of
surface there by increasing the heat transfer by convection.

In the present work, fins, which are of different cross sections and are of the same material (aluminium),
are experimented for the following conditions
1. natural convection
2. forced convection
a. Flow of air constant and heat input varies.
b. Flow of air varies and heat input constant.

Study on the effectiveness and efficiency of fin was made in the above conditions. Theoretical and
practical heat transfer coefficients are calculated. All the fins experimented are uniform cross section through out

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the length and are different cross sections. Temperature distributions over the surfaces are plotted. The
experiments are carried to find out which of the fin is more effective in transmitting heat from primary surface. In
the experiment, there will be two comparisons, one among the solid sections and other between the hollow and
solid sectional area and same volume for each cross section. The various cross sections of aluminium, is taken
because aluminium, is a light weight material and has high conductivity and is most widely used in the industrial
applications.

MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER

Heat transfer is defined as the transmission of energy from one region to another as a result of
temperature gradient takes place by the following three modes
1. conduction
2. convection
3. radiation
Heat transmission occurs as a result of combinations of these modes of heat transfer.

Heat transfer from the surface to fin at its base by conduction. This heat is convected to surrounding
atmosphere over the fin surface.

Conduction :
The heat conduction is accomplished by two mechanisms
 by molecular interactions
 by drift of free electrons

By molecular interaction, the energy exchange takes place by kinetic motion or direct impact of molecules.
Molecules at a relatively higher energy level impart energy to adjacent molecules at lower energy levels. This type
of energy transfer always exists so long as there is a temperature gradient in a system comprising molecules of a
solid of gas.

By the drift of free electrons, as in the case of metallic solids. The metallic alloys have a different concentration of
free electrons, and their ability to conduct heat is directly proportional to the concentration of free electrons in
them.

Convection :
Convection is the transfer of heat within a fluid by mixing of one portion of the fluid with another.
Convection constitutes the microform of the heat transfer since macroscopic particles of a fluid moving in space
cause the heat exchange. The effectiveness of heat transfer by convection depends largely upon the mixing motion
of fluid. Convection is met with in situations where energy is transferred as heat to a flowing fluid at any surface
over which flow occurs. The heat flow depends on the properties of fluid and is independent of the properties of
the material of the surface. However, the shape of the surface will influence the flow and hence the heat transfer.
Convection is of two types
1. Natural convection: The temperature difference produces a density difference results in mass
movements.
2. Forced convection: The motion of the fluid is caused by an external device like pump, compressor.

IMPORTANT PARAMETERS IN ANALYSIS OF FINS :

The various important parameters in the analysis of fins are

1. Heat transfer coefficient
2. Length of the fin
3. Cross sectional area of the fin
4. Thermal conductivity of fin

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 5. Efficiency and Effectiveness of fin.

Heat transfer coefficient:

The coefficient of convective heat transfer ‘h’ may be defines as the amount of heat transmitted for a unit
temperature difference between the fluid unit area of surface in unit time.
The value of ‘h’ depends on the following factors:
1. Thermodynamic properties
2. Nature of fluid flow
3. Geometry of the surface
4. Prevailing thermal conditions

Length of fin:
The length of fin from the heated surface has a great importance on its effectiveness. As the length of fin
increases the temperature indicated for a convective heat flow goes on decreasing. Therefore after a certain length
the effectiveness drastically reduces, in addition length is uneconomical and often objectionable. This also makes
the end heat losses negligible for along fin hence short fins are used.

Cross sectional area of fin:

For a constant cross sectional area fin, the heat flux decreases towards the end of the fin and so that all
cross sections of the fin are not properly utilized. End cross sections are poorly utilized compared with cross
section at base. Usually parabolic or elliptical profile fins are preferred where as triangular fin gives maximum heat
flow per unit weight with ease of manufacturing.

Thermal conductivity of fins:

Thermal conductivity of solids is by the two modes, lattice vibrations and transport by free electrons. The
thermal conductivity of solid increases as the square root of absolute temperature of the solid.

Efficiency and Effectiveness of fin:

The purpose of adding fins to a surface is to increase the surface are available for convective heat transfer
to the surrounding fluid. In order to express the heat exchanging capacity of an extended surface relative to the
heat exchanging capacity of the primary surface with no fins, it is useful to define fin effectiveness.

Fin effectiveness= (heat transfer with fin)/(heat transfer without fin)

Fin efficiency is defined as the ratio of actual heat transferred to the heat which would be transferred, if entire fin
were at base temperature.

GENERALISED EQUATION FOR A FIN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS TO VARIOUS CROSS SECTIONS

Generalised fin equation:

The generalized equation which is applicable to all fins of any cross sections is given as

d2θ/dx2 +[1/A(dA/dx)(dθ/dx)]-[hA/Ki)(ds/dx)θ]=0
This equation is applied to all extended surface configurations for which one-dimensional assumption is
valid. The above equation is modified Bessel equation.

The equation when applied to fins of uniform cross sectional area from base to bed becomes

d2θ/dx2 – h C/Kθ =0

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The solution of the above equation is of the form

Applying boundary conditions to the above equation,–mx

the temperature
mx distribution over the fins is given by
θ= B e +de

θ/θ0 =(t-tf ) /(t0-tf )={cosh m(1-x) + H sinh m(1-x) + H sinh m(1-x)}/(cosh ml + H sinh ml)

Assuming fin as the one, which is insulated at ends which is the most practical case, for boundary conditions the
equation becomes

θ/θ0 = cosh m (l-x) /cosh ml

Assumptions made in the analysis of heat flow for the finned surfaces

1. Thickness of the fin is small compared with the length and width.
2. Homogenous and isotropic fin material. The thermal conductivity of the fin material is constant.
3. Uniform heat transfer coefficient ‘h’ over the entire fin surface.
4. No heat generation with in the fin itself.
5. Joint between the fin and heated wall offers no bond resistance. Temperature at base of the fin is uniform
and equal to temperature t0 of the wall.
6. Thorough generalized education for heat transfer from fins is fairly established. Data on different
materials and shapes of fins is available. Hence the present work in proposed to conduct experiments on
short fin with insulated end with aluminum as material and different geometric shapes.
7. Steady state heat dissipation.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF FINS :

In the present work, a comparative study of theoretical heat transfer, experimental heat transfer
coefficient, efficiency and temperature distribution on different cross sections is made.

Experimental set up:

The experiment is carried out on fin apparatus. It consists of a rectangular duct one end of which is open
and the other end is fitted with a blower. A delivery pipe is provided with an orifice in it. To control the flow of air,
valves are fitted to the pipe itself. The flow rate is measured by using water manometer conducted to the orifice of
delivery tube. The test fin is placed across the duct. Air flows over its entire length. A heater attached to its head,
heats the fin.
The fins are 150mm long and 11.3097 mm 2 cross sectional area. It is provided with tapered holes to insert
thermocouples which are attached to the temperature indicator to indicate the temperature on different locations
of the fin.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE :

Natural convection:
The experimental procedure is
1. Power is switched on and dimmer stat is turned on to a required power input.
2. Here blower is not switched on.
3. Wait about 30 minutes for the fin to reach steady state.

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 4. After a steady state is ensured the temperature on the fin and ambient air temperatures are read from
thermometer using thermo couple selector knob.
5. The above procedure is repeated for different heat inputs and the readings of the different temperature
values are noted.

240

250 W Heating
Part

40
T5 T4 T3 T2 T1 T6 12

70 20 30 30 30 30 30

TEST SPECIMEN
Forced convection:

Case I: Heat input is constant and variable flow rate.

1. Power is switched on and dimmer stat is turned on to a required power.
2. Here blower is switched on and water head is adjusted for required flow rate observing manometer
readings.
3. Wait about 40 minutes for the fin to reach steady state.
4. After a steady state is ensured, the temperature on the fin and ambient air temperatures are read from
thermometer using thermo couple selector knob.
5. The above procedure id repeated for different flow rates of air by keeping the heat input constant.

Case II: Heat input is varied and flow rate is constant.

1. Power is switched on and dimmer stat is turned on to a required power.
2. Here blower is switched on and water head is adjusted to constant flow rate and heat input varies.
3. Wait about 40 minutes for the fin to reach steady state.
4. After a steady state is ensured, the temperature on the fin and ambient air temperatures are read from
thermometer using thermocouple selector knob.
5. The above procedure is repeated for different flow rates of air by keeping the heat input constant.

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 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF FIN APPARATUS
1
3
2
1-40 DIA G I pipe 300 mm long
2- M S Flange
3-Manometer tapings
4- 40 mm gate valve
5-40mm G I Bend 5
6- Blower 4
7- M S Duct
7

Precautions :

1. The most important precaution is temperature over the fin is to be noted only after steady state is
reached.
2. The power applied to the fin should not exceed 200W.

SPECIFICATIONS OF FIN APPARATUS :

Effective length of each fin =240 mm

Spacing between thermocouples = 30 mm
Diameter of the orifice = 20 mm
Size of duct used = 150mm x 100 mm
Coefficient of discharge for orifice meter = 0.61

Shape of fin:
Side of square fin = 12.7 mm
Side of triangle fin = 17.02 mm
Side of hexagon fin = 6.32 mm
Outer diameter of hollow circular fin = 16.1 mm

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Inner diameter of hollow circular fin = 10 mm
Side of hollow square fin = 14.25 mm
Inner side of hollow square fin = 10 mm
Side of hollow triangle fin = 21.02 mm
Inner side of hollow triangle fin = 10 mm

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS :

FIN: Square (Aluminum)

Condition: Natural Convection

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.53 ---------------- 86 81 75 71 69 30 47.11 88.88
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 115 109 102 96 93 30 47.2 88.72
3 120 0.65 ---------------- 144 135 127 120 116 30 46.95 88.05
4 130 0.70 ---------------- 165 156 147 139 135 30 46.84 87.84

FIN: Square (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & heat input constant)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.66 20 129 120 109 100 95 30 45.13 84.08
2 120 0.66 30 149 140 126 115 109 30 44.87 83.27
3 120 0.66 40 158 148 139 126 115 30 44.68 82.91
4 120 0.66 50 167 157 146 137 123 30 44.32 82.25

FIN: Square (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & heat input varies)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 82 78 72 66 63 30 45.17 83.19
2 110 0.60 30 108 101 92 84 80 30 45.05 83.68
3 120 0.65 30 133 125 114 104 98 30 44.91 83.47
4 130 0.70 30 151 140 127 116 110 30 44.78 83.32

FIN: Triangle (Aluminum)

Condition: Natural Convection

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 ---------------- 75 62 55 64 58 30 53.93 88.21
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 106 85 84 79 68 30 53.37 87.24
3 120 0.65 ---------------- 131 106 109 95 89 30 53.12 86.88
4 130 0.70 ---------------- 157 135 128 112 110 30 52.94 86.55

FIN: Triangle (Aluminum)

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Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & heat input constant)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.66 20 117 82 73 63 59 30 50.8 83.17
2 120 0.66 30 121 87 77 64 61 30 50.5 82.60
3 120 0.66 40 130 93 83 65 62 30 50.37 82.40
4 120 0.66 50 135 95 81 68 64 30 50.10 81.90

FIN: Triangle (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & heat input varies)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 69 62 59 57 55 30 50.85 83.0
2 110 0.60 30 89 78 74 69 63 30 50.66 82.71
3 120 0.65 30 113 106 98 92 89 30 50.57 82.61
4 130 0.70 30 121 107 105 98 90 30 50.45 82.51

FIN: Hexagon (Aluminum)

Condition: Natural Convection

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 ---------------- 115 94 84 83 81 30 40.42 90.14
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 132 109 98 96 91 30 40.43 90.05
3 120 0.65 ---------------- 152 142 131 117 109 30 40.22 89.69
4 130 0.70 ---------------- 163 154 149 130 117 30 40.26 89.59

FIN: Hexagon (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & heat input constant)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.64 20 96 78 70 68 62 30 40.43 90.04
2 120 0.64 30 136 104 88 86 78 30 40.06 89.23
3 120 0.64 40 146 112 95 93 82 30 39.97 89.11
4 120 0.64 50 152 116 97 95 85 30 39.84 88.81

FIN: Hexagon (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & heat input varies)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 95 86 72 66 63 30 40.16 89.41
2 110 0.60 30 112 109 87 74 72 30 39.72 88.62
3 120 0.65 30 141 133 102 92 86 30 39.73 88.42
4 130 0.70 30 160 152 117 99 90 30 39.69 88.39
FIN: Hollow Circular (Aluminum)

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Condition: Natural Convection

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 --------------- 110 102 96 89 85 30 42.79 86.95
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 117 104 94 90 86 30 42.75 86.90
3 120 0.65 ---------------- 122 113 102 98 90 30 42.77 86.95
4 130 0.70 ---------------- 128 117 106 99 92 30 42.66 86.85

FIN: Hollow Circular (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & heat input constant)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.65 20 102 98 92 88 82 30 43.8 88.8
2 120 0.65 30 106 102 98 91 87 30 43.6 88.29
3 120 0.65 40 114 106 103 98 91 30 43.1 87.5
4 120 0.65 50 120 108 102 99 92 30 42.77 86.9

FIN: Hollow Circular (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & heat input varies)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 106 98 94 89 84 30 43.60 88.29
2 110 0.60 30 110 103 98 94 89 30 43.56 88.34
3 120 0.65 30 114 107 99 95 91 30 43.52 88.24
4 130 0.70 30 122 115 111 102 95 30 43.62 88.34

FIN: Hollow Square (Aluminum)

Condition: Natural Convection

Sl no Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

(V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 054 ---------------- 89 82 79 76 71 30 50.37 86.85
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 93 87 83 79 74 30 50.32 86.54
3 120 0.65 ---------------- 99 91 87 82 79 30 50.11 86.01
4 130 0.70 ---------------- 104 94 89 84 81 30 49.78 85.76

FIN: Hollow Square (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & heat input constant)

Sl no Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

(V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.65 20 81 77 74 71 69 30 52.00 78.89
2 120 0.65 30 88 82 78 77 72 30 51.27 76.90
3 120 0.65 40 94 89 83 81 79 30 50.63 75.98
4 120 0.65 50 98 92 88 83 81 30 50.33 75.81

FIN: Hollow Square (Aluminum)

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Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & heat input varies)

Sl no Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

(V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 87 83 79 77 72 30 51.65 75.50
2 110 0.60 30 91 89 83 81 79 30 51.63 75.46
3 120 0.65 30 96 90 85 80 78 30 51.61 75.43
4 130 0.70 30 102 96 91 86 81 30 51.59 75.4

FIN: Hollow Triangle (Aluminum)

Condition: Natural Convection

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 ---------------- 73 69 64 62 59 30 53.15 87.75
2 110 0.60 ---------------- 82 75 71 68 63 30 53.17 87.77
3 120 0.65 --------------- 94 86 80 75 69 30 52.93 87.39
4 130 0.70 --------------- 108 99 91 87 79 30 52.82 87.20

FIN: Hollow Triangle (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air varies & Heat input constant)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 120 0.65 20 69 63 59 55 49 30 49.86 80.10
2 120 0.65 30 78 71 68 64 59 30 49.60 79.07
3 120 0.65 40 85 79 73 69 59 30 49.22 78.04
4 120 0.65 50 96 90 88 81 77 30 48.92 78.02

FIN: Hollow Triangle (Aluminum)

Condition: Forced Convection (Flow of air constant & Heat input varies)

Sl Voltage Current Manometer T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 Effectiveness Efficiency

no (V) (A) Reading(mm) (%)
1 100 0.54 30 97 94 88 85 82 30 48.58 79.36
2 110 0.60 30 102 92 89 87 86 30 48.53 78.12
3 120 0.65 30 107 97 86 85 74 30 47.68 77.89
4 130 0.70 30 112 102 97 92 87 30 47.15 77.67mkl;

GRAPHS :
Graphs are drawn according to the above obtained values for

(i) Heat Input Vs Effectiveness

(ii) Heat Input Vs Efficiency

APPLICATIONS OF FINS:

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 The use of extended surfaces is of practical importance for numerous applications. The following are the
various applications of fin materials.

Air-cooled engine cylinder heads

In case of air-cooled engines for an effective cooling the surface area of the cylinder metal, which is in
contact with the air, should be increased. Using fins over the cylinder barrels does this. Either these fins are cast as
integral part of the cylinder or separate fins are inserted over the cylinder barrel.

Economizers for steam power plants

The purpose of the economizer is to extract the waste heat of the flue gases to preheat the water before
it is fed into the boiler.
Using these fins, it will increase the effective area of economizer pipe through which feed water goes into
the boiler. By increasing the defective area, more amounts of flue gases will be exposed to the pipes and more
amount of heat is extracted from flue gases. This unit improves the overall efficiency of boiler by reducing fuel
consumption.

Radiators of automobiles
The function of radiator is to ensure close contact of the hot water coming out of the engine with the
surrounding fluid to ensure high rates of heat transfer from the water to sir thereby increasing the life of the
engine. Using extended surfaces more amount of surrounding fluid will be exposed to the radiator tubes thereby
increasing the heat transfer rate.

Small capacity compressors

The cooling of compressor is to decrease the work done thereby increasing the efficiency of power plant.
By using the extended surfaces, more amount of heat will be dissipated to surroundings thereby increasing the life
and efficiency of plant.

Transformers
The heat that is generated in the transformer must be dissipated to the surroundings otherwise the
insulating material, which is provided surroundings the wire is melted and short circuit may occur that will cause
the failure of transformer. So using extended surfaces the heat is generated is dissipated to the surroundings
effectively thereby increasing the life of the transformer.

The fins are used in the following applications by the addition of the same materials to the systems.
1. In the cooling coils and condenser coils and condenser coils which are used in refrigerators and air
conditioners.
2. In the convectors, which are used for steam and hot water heating systems.
3. In the electric motor blades.

OBTAINED VALUES :
S. NO. CROSS SECTION EFFECTIVENESS EFFICIENCY
1. Square 46.57 85.30
2. Triangular 52.61 83.17
3. Hexagon 40.03 89.21
4. Hollow circular 43.59 88.54
5. Hollow square 51.25 82.89
6. Hollow triangular 53.15 81.56

CONCLUSION:

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 The following considerations are drawn from the experimental results of fins of the various cross sections
taken.

1. Effectiveness is more for triangular fin followed by square, and hexagon.

2. In case of hollow sections, hollow triangular fin is more effective.
3. For same cross sectional area and volume hollow cross sections are preferable over solid sections.
4. However the requirements may vary widely in their importance over the type of engine/device/system and its
area of applications.

For air craft and Automobile purpose preference will be given to less weight material. In that case
aluminum fins is best one because of its additional advantage related to lower cost and weight.

REFERENCES :

 S C Arora, S Domkundwar ‘ A Course in Heat & Mass Transfer’

 R K Rajput ‘Heat & Mass Transfer
 C P Kodandaraman ‘Fundamentals of Heat & Mass Transfer’

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