Heat Transfer From Finned Surface

Ph.D. Seminar
CHE801A

Department of Chemical Engineering Presented By:

Aayush Gupta
Ph.D. (19102262)
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 Content
• Introduction to Heat Transfer
• Use of Fins
• Governing equation of Fins
• Assumptions
• Proper length of fin
• Performance of Fin
• Summary
• Problem

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 Introduction to Heat Transfer
• The science that seeks rate of heat transfer between the material bodies due to
temperature difference.
Modes of Heat transfer
1. Conduction- Heat is transferred through collision between molecules.
Fourier law of heat conduction as,
• 𝒅𝑻
𝑸𝒙 = −𝑲𝑨
𝒅𝒙

Where K= Thermal Conductivity of the material.

A= Heat Transfer Area
𝒅𝑻
= Temperature Gradient
𝒅𝒙

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2. Convection- Heat transfer by macroscopic movement of fluids.
Newton’s law of Cooling as,
•
𝑸𝒙 = 𝒉𝑨(𝑻𝒔 − 𝑻∞ ቁ

Where, h=Heat Transfer Coefficient

Ts= surface Temperature
𝑇∞ = Free stream Temperature

3. Radiation- Heat transfer in the form of electromagnetic waves.

Stefan Boltzmann Law as,
•
𝑸𝒙 = 𝝈𝑨𝒔 𝑻𝟒𝒔 (Only applicable for Black body)
Where, 𝜎 = Stefan Boltzmann constant
𝐴𝑠 = Surface Area, Ts= Absolute temperature of Surrounding
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 FINS (Extended Surface)

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 Use of Fins
Fins are used to increase the heat transfer rate by reducing the thermal resistance
for a surface.
e.g.
Q1= h1 A1 (Tb-Tf) Air at Temp. Tf

Tb Here h2 > h1
For keeping Q1=Q2
Q2= h2 A2 (Tb-Tf) Tf A1 > A 2

Then, Heat transfer rate is given by –


Q  hA(Tb  T f )

• Cooling of transformers
• Cooling of IC engine
• Economizers in steam power plant
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 Governing equation of Fins
• Objective-
1) To find the temperature distribution along
length of the fin. L
Qconv.
2) To find the rate of heat transfer from the fin
surface.
Tb Ac
dx
Where, Qx= Heat conduction in x direction at x
location. Qx Qx+ x
h= Coefficient of heat convection
x
T∞= Surrounding Air Temperature h, T∞
y
Ac= Cross sectional Area of fin at
location x
x
Tb= Fin Base Temperature z
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 Assumptions

• Steady state heat conduction.

• No heat generation within the fin.
• Homogeneous and isotropic fin material.
• Uniform heat transfer coefficient (h) over the entire surface of
the fin.
• Negligible radiation.
• Negligible thermal contact resistance.

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 Energy balance
Rate of heat conduction Rate of heat conduction
=
into the element x out from the element x+∆x
Qconv.
+ Rate of heat convection
from the element Ac
   dx
Q cond , x  Q cond , x  x  Q conv

Qx Qx+ x
Q conv  h( px )(T  T )
 
Q cond , x  x  Q cond , x x
 hp (T  T )  0 h, T∞
x

Taking limit as ∆x 0 we get

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 •
𝑑𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 ----- (1)
+ ℎ𝑝(𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ) = 0
𝑑𝑥
From Fourier’s law of heat conduction we get
 dT
Q cond   kAc
dx
Put in eqn. 1
𝑑 𝑑𝑇 ----- (2)
𝑘𝐴𝑐 − ℎ𝑝 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
For constant cross section and thermal conductivity we get
d 2
2
 m 2
 0 ----- (3)
dx
Where,
ℎ𝑝
𝑚= 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞
𝑘𝐴𝑐
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the general solution of differential equation 3 is
𝜃 𝑥 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ---- (4)
Where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constant.
Boundary condition at fin base: 𝜃 0 =Tb-T∞= 𝜃b
C1+C2=𝜃 0 =𝜃b -----(5)
Case 1: Infinite long fin (Tfin tip=T∞)
Boundary condition at fin tip: 𝜃 𝐿 =TL-T∞=0 as L ∞
C1=0
From equation 5 we get
C2= 𝜃b
Hence the solution of general equation 4 is
𝜃= 𝜃b𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

ℎ𝑝
Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A
𝑇 − 𝑇∞ −𝑥 𝑘𝐴
𝑐
practical approach 3rd edition by Cengel.
=𝑒
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𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 11
The steady state heat transfer is given by Fourier law of heat conduction as

• 𝑑𝑇
𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔_𝑓𝑖𝑛 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 | = ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ ------(6)
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0

Case 2: Fin of finite length and Negligible heat loss at the fin tip (Adiabatic fin tip)
Boundary condition at fin tip:
𝑑𝜃
|𝑥=𝑙 = 0
𝑑𝑥
C1emL - C2e-mL=0 ----- (7)
from equation (5) and (7) we get
𝜃𝑏 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 = 𝑚𝐿
𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝑏 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶2 = 𝑚𝐿
𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
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Put the value of C1 and C2 in equation (4) we get
𝑒𝑚 𝐿−𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑚 𝐿−𝑥
𝜃 = 𝜃𝑏
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃 cosh𝑚 𝐿 − 𝑥
=
𝜃𝑏 cosh(𝑚𝐿)

Put the values of 𝜃 and 𝜃𝑏 in above relation we get

𝑇 − 𝑇∞ cosh𝑚 𝐿 − 𝑥
=
𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ cosh(𝑚𝐿)

The steady state heat transfer is given by Fourier law of heat conduction as
• 𝑑𝑇
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐_𝑡𝑖𝑝 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 | = ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ tanh(𝑚𝐿) -----(8)
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0
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Case 3: Fin of finite length with convection at the •
fin tip 𝑄𝐹𝑖𝑛
Convection
A practical way of accounting of heat loss from the fin tip is
to replace the fin length L in the relation for the insulated
fin case (Eq. 8) by a corrected length as L

𝐴𝑐
𝐿𝑐 = 𝐿 + a) Actual Fin with convection
𝑃 at the tip.
•
𝑄𝐹𝑖𝑛 𝐴𝑐
Where, Ac= cross sectional Area 𝑃 Insulated

P = Perimeter
Lc

b) Equivalent Fin with insulated Tip

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 Proper length of fin
Objective
To find the length up to which the maximum
rate of heat transfer occur.

To find the proper length we will compare the

heat transfer from fin of finite length to heat
transfer from fin of infinite length.
From equation (6) and (8) we get
•
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐_𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ tanh(𝑚𝐿)
• = = tanh(𝑚𝐿)
𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔_𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞
Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A
practical approach 3rd edition by Cengel.
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 mL tanh(mL)
0 0.0000
0.2 0.1974
0.4 0.3799
0.6 0.5370
0.8 0.6640
1 0.7616
1.2 0.8337
1.4 0.8854
1.6 0.9217
1.8 0.9468
2 0.9640
2.2 0.9757
2.4 0.9837
2.6 0.9890
2.8 0.9926
3 0.9951
3.2 0.9967
3.4 0.9978
3.6 0.9985
3.8 0.9990
4 0.9993
4.2 0.9996
4.4 0.9997
4.6 0.9998
4.8 0.9999
5 0.9999
5.2 0.9999
5.4 1.0000
5.6 1.0000
5.8 1.0000
6 1.0000
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 Performance of Fin

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 Fin Efficiency
• To maximize the heat transfer from a fin the temperature of
the fin should be uniform (maximized) at the base value of T

•In reality, the temperature drops along the fin, and thus the heat
transfer from the fin is less .To account for the effect we define a fin
efficiency
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • = Actual heat transfer rate from the fin
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max Ideal heat transfer rate from the fin
if the entire fin were at base temperature

• •
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max = 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞

Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A practical

12/30/2019 approach 3rd edition by Cengel. 18
 For constant cross section of very long fins:
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 1 𝑘𝐴𝑐 1
𝜂𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • = = =
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max ℎ𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 𝐿 ℎ𝑝 𝑚𝐿

For constant cross section with adiabatic tip:

•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ tanh𝑚𝐿 tanh𝑚𝐿
𝜂𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • = =
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max ℎ𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 𝑚𝐿

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 Fin Effectiveness
The performance of the fins is judged on the basis of the
enhancement in heat transfer relative to the no-fin case.

The performance of fins is expressed in terms of the fin

effectiveness is expressed as-

Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A practical

approach 3rd edition by Cengel.

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 For fin of infinite length the effectiveness of the fin is given as
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 𝑘𝑝 ----- (9)
𝜀𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔_𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • = =
𝑄𝑛𝑜_𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑏 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ ℎ𝐴𝑐

Here cross section area i.e. Ac and base area Ab are same

Relation between fin effectiveness and efficiency is given as

• •
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • = = = 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛
𝑄𝑛𝑜_𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑏 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ ℎ𝐴𝑏 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 𝐴𝑏

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 Remarks regarding fin effectiveness
𝒌𝒑
𝜺𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈_𝒇𝒊𝒏 =
𝒉𝑨𝒄

 The thermal conductivity k of the fin material should be as high as possible. It is

no coincidence that fins are made from metals.
 The ratio of the perimeter to the cross-sectional area C of the fin p/A should be
as high as possible.
 The use of fins is most effective in applications involving a low convection heat
transfer coefficient.
 The use of fins is more easily justified when the medium is a gas instead of a
liquid and the heat transfer is by natural convection instead of by forced
convection.

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 Summary
SR. No. Parameter Expression
• 𝑑𝑇
𝑄𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔_𝑓𝑖𝑛 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 |
1 Fin of infinite length 𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0
= ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞
• 𝑑𝑇
𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐_𝑡𝑖𝑝 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 |
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0
2 Fin of finite length
= ℎ𝑝𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ tanh(𝑚𝐿)

•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 1
𝜂𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • =
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max 𝑚𝐿

3 Fin efficiency
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 tanh𝑚𝐿
𝜂𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • =
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max 𝑚𝐿
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑝
4 Fin effectiveness 𝜀𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔_𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • =
𝑄𝑛𝑜_𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑐
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 Problem
Steam in a heating system flows through tubes whose outer
diameter is D1= 3 cm and whose walls are maintained at a
temperature of 120 .C, Circular aluminum alloy fins (k=180
W/m .C) of outer diameter D2=6 cm and constant thickness
t=2 mm are attached to the tubes. The space between the
fins is 3 mm, and thus there are 200 fins per meter length of
the tube. Heat is transferred to the surrounding air at T∞=25
.C, with a combined heat transfer coefficient h=60 W/m2 .C.

Determine the increase in heat transfer from the tubes per

meter of its length as a result of adding fin.

Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A

practical approach 3rd edition by
Cengel.
12/30/2019 24
Solution
Rate of heat transfer for no fin is
Qno fin= h Ano fin (Tb-T∞)
Ano fin = ᴨD1L=0.0942 m2
Qno fin= 60*0.0942*(120-25)
= 537 W
The efficiency is given as
•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 tanh(mL)
𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 = • =
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max 𝑚𝐿

ℎ𝑝
𝑚=
𝑘𝐴𝑐 Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A
1 practical approach 3rd edition by
Length of fin (L) = 𝐷2 − 𝐷1 = 0.015 m Cengel.
2
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Corrected length (Lc) = L + t/2 = 0.015 + 0.001= 0.016 m
r2c=r2+t/2=0.03+0.001=0.031 m
Ap= Lc t =0.016*0.002=3.2*10-5 m2
ℎ
mL=Lc3/2 𝑘𝐴𝑝 = 0.0163/2 * 102.06 = .207
𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 =0.96
Afin=2*ᴨ*(r2c2-r12)=2*ᴨ*(0.0312-0.0152)
= .004624 m2
• •
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛,max = 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝐴𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞
= 0.96*60*.004624*(120-25)
= 25.3 W
Heat transfer from the unfinned surface of the tube
Source: Heat and Mass transfer: A
Aunfin= ᴨD1S=3.14*0.013*0.003=.000283 m2 practical approach 3rd edition by
• Cengel.
12/30/2019 𝑄𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 = ℎ𝐴𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑏 − 𝑇∞ 26
 = 60*0.000283*95
= 1.6 W
Noting there are 200 fins and thus 200 interfin spacing per meter length of the
tube, the total heat transfer from the finned tube becomes
• • •
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑛 𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 + 𝑄𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 200 25.3 + 1.6 = 5380 W
Therefore the increase in heat transfer from the tube per meter of its length as a
result of the addition of fin is
• • •
𝑄𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙,𝑓𝑖𝑛 − 𝑄𝑛𝑜,𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 5380 – 537= 4843 W

The overall effectiveness of the fin is

•
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 5380
𝜀𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = • = = 10
𝑄𝑛𝑜_𝑓𝑖𝑛 537
i.e. The rate of heat transfer from the steam tube increases by a factor of 10 as a
result of adding fins.
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 References

• Heat and Mass transfer: A practical approach 3rd edition by

Cengel.
• A heat transfer textbook by John H. Lienhard

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