Name: ID: Date:

MONASH UNIVERSITY
Department of Chemical Engineering
CHE 2163 – Heat and Mass Transfer

Experiment 2: Heat Transfer from Finned Surfaces

Duration: 240 minutes, Subgroup Size: 3-4 people

Preliminary Questions (to be completed on another page before attending the lab class):
1. Explain why fins can enhance heat transfer to/from objects. Provide two examples of
where fins are found in everyday use. List two disadvantages of using fins.
2. Define and explain the difference between fin efficiency and fin effectiveness.
3. What is the relationship between the heat transfer rate and the cross-sectional area, and
what are the SI units for these quantities?
4. What are the units of the heat transfer coefficient, h? What factors affect the value of
the heat transfer coefficient and how do these factors affect h (increase or decrease)?
Objectives:
1. To comment on the influence of surface type on heat transfer by forced convection.
2. To compare experimental and theoretical temperature profiles obtained for pin fins.
Equipment (refer to Figure 2.1): There are three similar systems operating with different
heated surfaces (namely a flat vertical plate with no fins, tapered fins and pin fins). The base
temperature is controlled by a variable power supply and should be approximately the same
for each heated surface. Atmospheric air is drawn upwards across the heated surfaces by an
electrically operated fan, and the resulting air speed should also be approximately the same
for each system. Both the base temperature and the air speed will be set to the appropriate
level before the laboratory commences (do not alter these during the experiment).
Procedure: The system will be started before the laboratory commences and will be
operating under steady flow conditions.
1. Read the input power, inlet temperature, outlet temperature, specimen base temperature
and air speed for each heated surface and record in Table 2.1.
2. Record the temperature profiles for the flat plate, tapered fins and pin fins in Table 2.2.
Calculations: Complete the calculations required to determine the key temperature and heat
transfer characteristics for each heated surface, and present your data in Table 2.3. Also
calculate the fin parameter and theoretical temperature profile for the pin fins (as described
below) and present this data in Table 2.4.
You will need to note the following for this experiment.
(1) The specimen base temperature is not directly instrumented. However, you may
assume that the temperature recorded at the first thermocouple position (3.2 mm from
the actual base) is representative of the base temperature, and that this temperature is
uniform for each heated surface.
(2) The wetted area of each heated surface is the total surface area exposed to the moving
air. When calculating this value, make sure that you include all relevant surfaces!
(3) Air moving through the system speeds up as it passes the anemometer set in the duct,
since the cross-sectional area at this point is reduced by the anemometer but the mass
flow rate of air through the system must remain constant. Therefore, the actual speed
of air in the working section of the system will be less than the speed displayed by the
anemometer. If you are using the air speed measured by the anemometer in the duct,
you may assume that the actual speed is equal to 70% of the measured speed. If you

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 are using the air speed measured at the top of the duct with a hand-held anemometer,
you may use the measured speed directly in your calculations (without adjustment).
(4) You may take the density of air as 1.21 kg/m3 (true at 20oC and atmospheric pressure).
You will need to use the values in Figure 2.1, and linear interpolation, to determine the
constant pressure specific heat of air at the mean air temperature in the system.
(5) The equation for the average heat transfer coefficient, h (W/m2.K), is:
•
Q
h=
As (Tf − T∞)
where As = Total wetted area of the heated surface (m2)
Tf = Mean fin temperature (°C or K)
T∞ = Mean air temperature (°C or K)
•
and the average rate of heat transfer to the air, Q (W), is:
• •
Q = m c p (To − Ti )
•
where m = Mass flow rate of air (kg/s)
cp = Constant pressure specific heat of air (J/kg.K)
To = Outlet air temperature (°C or K)
Ti = Inlet air temperature (°C or K)
(6) The theoretical temperature profile for the pin fins may be determined by calculating
the temperature, T (°C or K), at each distance, x (m), along the pin fins (excluding the
base) using the temperature ratio relationship:
T − T∞ cosh[n(L − x )]
=
Ts − T∞ cosh( nL )
where Ts = Specimen base temperature (°C or K)
T∞ = Mean air temperature (°C or K)
L = Length of the pins, excluding the base (m)
and the fin parameter, n (m-1), is
hLp
n =
kA
where h = Average heat transfer coefficient (W/m2.K)
LP = Fin perimeter or circumference (m)
k = Thermal conductivity of the fin material (W/m.K)
A = Cross-sectional area of fin (m2)

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250 K 1003 1.401
300 K 1005 1.400

Figure 2.1: Equipment for Experiment 2

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Table 2.1: Raw Data for Experiment 2
Raw Data Units Flat Plate Tapered Fins Pin Fins
Electrical Input Power to Heater W 14.7 68 50.1

Inlet Air Temperature C 19.2 19.1 18.7

Outlet Air Temperature C 20.4 22.6 22.3

Specimen Base Temperature C 43.6 42.8 43

Air Speed at Anemometer m/s 1.67 1.78 1.7

Table 2.2: Experimental Temperature Profile Data for Experiment 2

Thermocouple Position
Measured Temperatures Units 1 2 3 4 5 6
Flat Plate
Distance from Base mm 3.2 15.9
Temperature C 43.7 43.8

Tapered Fins
Distance from Base mm 3.2 15.9 28.6 44.5 60.3 81.0
Temperature C 42.8 42.8 41.9 41.4 40.8 38.4

Pin Fins
Distance from Base mm 3.2 15.9 31.2 53.2 75.4
Temperature C 43.1 43.2 38.2 35.3 34.7

Table 2.3: Calculated Data for Experiment 2

Calculated Data Units Flat Plate Tapered Fins Pin Fins
Total Wetted Area of Surface m2 0.011236 0.12892982 0.044599855

Area of Duct near Anemometer m2 0.00817128 0.008171282 0.008171282

Mass Flow Rate of Air kg/s

Rate of Heat Transfer to Air W

Mean Fluid Temperature C

Mean Fin Temperature C

Average Heat Transfer Coefficient W/m2K

Table 2.4: Theoretical Temperature Profile Data for Experiment 2 with pin fins
Thermocouple Position
Calculated Temperatures Units 1 2 3 4 5 6
Distance from Base mm 3.2 15.9 31.2 53.2 75.4
Distance along Pin
Fin Parameter
Temperature Ratio (T–T∞)/( Ts–T∞)
Theoretical Temperature
Results: Graph the experimental temperature profile for the tapered fins, and experimental
and theoretical temperature profiles for the pin fins (as a function of distance along the fins),
on Figures 2.2 and 2.3. Label the graphs fully, including units, and draw smooth curves to
indicate trends in the data for each heated surface.
Discussion and Conclusions (short report – one A4 page only): Discuss and interpret your
results and compare to theoretical expectations, paying close attention to the objectives of the
experiment. State your main findings and conclusions clearly. Appropriately reference any
sources you have used.

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Figure 2.2: Graph of ________________________________________________________

Figure 2.3: Graph of ________________________________________________________