3-79

3-123 Circular aluminum fins are to be attached to the tubes of a heating system. The increase in heat transfer from the tubes
per unit length as a result of adding fins is to be determined.
Assumptions 1 Steady operating conditions exist. 2 The heat transfer coefficient is constant and uniform over the entire fin
surfaces. 3 Thermal conductivity is constant. 4 Heat transfer by radiation is negligible.
Properties The thermal conductivity of the fins is given to be k = 186 W/m⋅°C.
Analysis In case of no fins, heat transfer from the tube per meter of its length is

Ano fin = πD1 L = π (0.05 m)(1 m) = 0.1571 m 2 130°C

Q& no fin = hAno fin (Tb − T∞ ) = (40 W/m 2 .°C)(0.1571 m 2 )(130 − 25)°C = 660 W

The efficiency of these circular fins is, from the efficiency curve, Fig. 3-43
25°C
L = ( D 2 − D1 ) / 2 = (0.06 − 0.05) / 2 = 0.005 m ⎫
⎪
r2 + (t / 2) 0.03 + (0.001 / 2) ⎪
= = 1.22
r1 0.025 ⎪
⎪
⎛ h ⎞
1/ 2
⎪
L3c / 2 ⎜ ⎟ ⎛ t⎞ h
= ⎜L+ ⎟ ⎬η fin = 0.97
⎜kA ⎟ ⎝ 2 ⎠ kt ⎪
⎝ p ⎠ ⎪
⎪
⎛ 0.001 ⎞ 2o
40 W/m C ⎪
= ⎜ 0.005 + ⎟ = 0 .08
⎝ 2 ⎠ (186 W/m o C)(0.001 m) ⎪
⎭
Heat transfer from a single fin is

Afin = 2π (r2 2 − r12 ) + 2πr2 t = 2π (0.03 2 − 0.025 2 ) + 2π (0.03)(0.001) = 0.001916 m 2

Q& fin = η fin Q& fin,max = η fin hAfin (Tb − T∞ )
= 0.97(40 W/m 2 .°C)(0.001916 m 2 )(130 − 25)°C
= 7.81 W
Heat transfer from a single unfinned portion of the tube is

Aunfin = πD1 s = π (0.05 m)(0.003 m) = 0.0004712 m 2

Q& unfin = hAunfin (Tb − T∞ ) = ( 40 W/m 2 .°C)(0.0004712 m 2 )(130 − 25)°C = 1.98 W

There are 250 fins and thus 250 interfin spacings per meter length of the tube. The total heat transfer from the finned tube is
then determined from

Q& total,fin = n(Q& fin + Q& unfin ) = 250(7.81 + 1.98) = 2448 W

Therefore the increase in heat transfer from the tube per meter of its length as a result of the addition of the fins is

Q& increase = Q& total,fin − Q& no fin = 2448 − 660 = 1788 W

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