Heat-exchanger design: Optimal length of an array of uniformly-spaced vertical rectangular fins protruding upwards from a horizontal base

Chun Wah Leung, S. D. Probert

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of varying the fins' length on the steady-state rate of heat loss from this commonly adopted orientation of this simple, popular type of rectangular-based heat exchanger has been studied. The investigation was carried out with a base width of 190 mm, a duralumin fin thickness of 3 mm and a protrusion of 60 mm. The optimal fins' length, to achieve a maximum rate of heat transfer under natural convection conditions, rose from 247 to 319 mm as the fin separation was increased from 10 to 50 mm, all other parameters remaining invariant. The base temperature was kept constant at either 20(±0·2)°C or 40(±0·2)°C in excess of the laboratory's mean air temperature, in the vicinity of the heat exchanger, of 20(±0·2)°C during the investigation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-35
Number of pages7
JournalApplied Energy
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • General Energy

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