HT- Introduction to Heat and

Mass Transfer

Extended Surfaces:
FINS

Dr Praveen Kr Sharma
Department of Mechanical and
Mechatronics Engineering

1
 𝑻𝒔
Problem 𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝒉𝒐 , 𝝆𝒐 , 𝒄𝒑𝒐

𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝒉𝒊 , 𝝆𝒊 , 𝒄𝒑𝒊

𝑻𝑯

Want more cooling? 𝑻𝑯

 Purpose of Extended surface

Convection: Heat transfer between a solid surface and a moving fluid is governed by the
Newton’s cooling law: 𝑞 = ℎ𝐴(𝑡𝑠 − 𝑡𝑎 ), where 𝑡𝑠 is the surface temperature and 𝑡𝑎 is the
fluid temperature. Therefore, to increase the convective heat transfer:

1. Increase the temperature difference (𝑡𝑠 − 𝑡𝑎 ) between the surface and the fluid.
2. Increase the convection coefficient ℎ. This can be accomplished by increasing the fluid
flow over the surface, since ℎ is a function of the geometry, fluid property and the flow
velocity. Higher the velocity, the higher the h. Example: a cooling fan.
3. Increase the contact surface area A. Example: a heat sink with fins. Fins are
nothing but extended surfaces.
 Application of Extended surface
Common applications:
1. Economizers for steam power plants
2. Air cooled cylinder of aircraft engine. I.C. engine and
air compressor.
3. Electric transformers and motors
4. Cooling coils and condenser coils in refrigerators.

Cooling coils
Air cooled cylinder
 FIN
Purpose of
Extended surface
𝑇𝑡𝑓𝑎

𝑡𝑠
Increase the contact
surface area A.
Example: a heat sink
with fins. Fins are
nothing but extended
surfaces.
 Our Objective to study Extended surface

• To study temperature distribution and heat flow from different types of fins.

Why ?

• Knowledge of temperature distribution and heat flow is necessary for their

optimum design with regards to size and weight.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Consider a straight rectangular
fin protruding from a wall
𝒕𝒂
surface. The characteristic Heat convection, 𝒉𝒂 𝑺(𝑻𝒔 − 𝑻𝒂 )
dimensions of the fin are its
length l, constant cross-
sectional area, 𝐴𝑐 , and the 𝛿m
𝒕𝒐 bm
circumferential parameter P. 𝑸 Heat
convection
𝒉𝒂 𝑨𝒄 (𝑻𝒔 − 𝑻𝒂 )

lm
𝒙
Cross-sectional area of fin 𝐴𝑐 = 𝑏 × 𝛿
Perimeter 𝑃 = 2(𝑏 + 𝛿)
Surface Area 𝑆 = 𝑃 × 𝑙
Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface

Spine fin
𝒕𝒂
Heat convection, 𝒉𝒂 𝑺(𝑻𝒔 − 𝑻𝒂 )

𝒕𝒐
𝛿m
𝑸 Heat
convection
lm 𝒉𝒂 𝑨𝒄 (𝑻𝒔 − 𝑻𝒂 )
𝒙
𝜋𝛿 2
Cross-sectional area of fin 𝐴𝑐 =
4
Perimeter 𝑃 = 𝜋𝛿
Surface Area 𝑆 = 𝜋𝛿𝑙
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Assumptions:

1. Thickness of fin is small compared with the length and width.

2. Temperature gradient over the cross section are neglected and heat conduction treated
one-dimensional.
3. Fin material is homogeneous and isotropic.
4. The thermal conductivity, 𝑘, of fin material is constant.
5. Uniform heat transfer coefficient, ℎ, over the entire fin surface.
6. No heat generation within the fin itself.
7. Joint between the fin and the heat wall offers no bond resistance, temperature at root or
base of the fin is uniform and equal to temperature 𝑡0 of the wall.
8. Negligible radiation exchange wit the surroundings.
9. Radiation effects, if any are considered as included in the convection coefficient, ℎ.
[Link] state heat dissipation.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow:
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow:
Heat from the heated wall is conducted through the fin and convected from the sides of the fin to the surrounding.
Let consider an infinitesimal element of the fin located at a distance x from base thickness of element- 𝛿𝑥

Wall
at 𝒕𝟎 𝑸𝒙 𝑡 𝑸𝒙+𝜹𝒙

𝑥 𝛿𝑥
𝑸𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗 = 𝒉(𝑷𝜹𝒙)(𝒕 − 𝒕𝒂 )

Heat flow balance on the element gives:

𝑄𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥+𝛿𝑥 + 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow:
Heat flow balance on the element gives:
𝑄𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥+𝛿𝑥 + 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒

𝑑𝑡 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = ℎ(𝑃𝛿𝑥)(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑄𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐
𝑑𝑥 𝑥

𝑑𝑡
𝑄𝑥+𝑑𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐
𝑑𝑥 𝑥+𝛿𝑥

𝑑 𝑑𝑡
= −𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑡+ 𝛿𝑥 By using Taylor series
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝜕𝑄𝑥
𝑄𝑥+𝑑𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥 𝑄𝑥′ = Qx + dx
𝜕𝑥
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow:
Heat flow balance on the element gives:
𝑄𝑥 = 𝑄𝑥+𝛿𝑥 + 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝑑𝑡 𝑑 𝑑𝑡
−𝑘𝐴𝑐 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑡+ 𝛿𝑥 + ℎ(𝑃𝛿𝑥)(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑2 𝑡
−𝑘𝐴𝑐 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 − 𝑘𝐴𝑐 2 𝛿𝑥 + ℎ(𝑃𝛿𝑥)(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

𝑑2 𝑡 ℎ𝑃
2
− 𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 = 0 𝒕=𝒇 𝒙
𝑑𝑥 𝑘𝐴𝑐
Order of equation=2
𝑦 ′′ − 𝐶0 𝑦 + 𝐶1 = 0
 Steady flow of heat along a rod
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝑡 ℎ𝑃
2
− 𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 = 0 --------(1)
𝑑𝑥 𝑘𝐴𝑐
Equation (1) is further simplified by transforming the dependent variable by defining the temperature
excess 𝜃 as,
𝜽 𝒙 = 𝒕 𝒙 − 𝒕𝒂

𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑡 𝑑2 𝜃 𝑑2 𝑡
𝑑𝑥
=
𝑑𝑥
⇒
𝑑𝑥 2
=
𝑑𝑥 2
--------(2)

From (1) and (2)

𝑑2 𝜃 ℎ𝑃
2
− 𝜃=0
𝑑𝑥 𝑘𝐴𝑐
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝑡 ℎ𝑃
2
− 𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑘𝐴𝑐
𝒉𝑷
Let =𝒎
𝒌𝑨𝒄

𝑑2𝜃 General form of equation for one dimensional heat dissipation

2
− 𝑚 2
𝜃=0 --------(3) from extended surface.
𝑑𝑥
For a given fin, the parameter m is constant provided the convective coefficient, ℎ, is
constant over the entire surface, thermal conductivity, 𝑘, is constant within the considered
temperature range.

What is unit of m?
1/meter
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2𝜃 = 0
− 𝑚
𝑑𝑥 2
What is the type of equation? -> Linear second order homogenous differential equation

𝐷 2 𝜃 − 𝑚2 𝜃 = 0 𝐷 = 𝐶1 𝐷1 + 𝐶2 𝐷2

𝐷 2 − 𝑚2 𝜃 = 0
𝐷 = ±𝑚
𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪𝟐 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
Now we need two boundary condition to estimate constant 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 .
Three cases:
1. Heat dissipation from an infinite long fin (𝑙 → ∞).
2. Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip.
3. Heat dissipation from a fin losing heat at the tip.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Remember B.C. at the x=0 is 𝒕(𝒙) = 𝒕𝟎
𝜽 = 𝒕𝟎 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝜽𝟎
Cases 1: Heat dissipation from an infinite long fin (𝒍 → ∞).
𝒕𝟎
Temperature at the end of an infinitely long fin equals that of 𝒕(𝒙) = 𝒕𝒂
surrounding

𝒕𝒂
𝟐𝒏𝒅 boundary condition, at 𝑥 = ∞ →𝒕(𝒙) = 𝒕𝒂

𝜽 = 𝒕𝒂 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝟎
𝑥=0 𝑥=∞ 𝑥
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐 --------(4)
𝑑𝑥 2
Remember B.C. at the x=0 is 𝒕 = 𝒕𝟎
𝜽 = 𝒕 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝒕𝟎 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝜽𝟎
Cases 1: Heat dissipation from an infinite long fin (𝒍 → ∞).

Substituting respective boundary condition, we obtain: 𝐶1 = 0, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶2 = 𝜃0

−𝑚𝑥
𝜃 = 𝜃0 𝑒
--------(5)
(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 ) = (𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 )𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

Equation 5 is the expression for temperature distribution along the length of fin.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Remember B.C. at the x=0 is 𝒕 = 𝒕𝒔
𝜽 = 𝒕 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝒕𝟎 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝜽𝟎
Cases 1: Heat dissipation from an infinite long fin (𝒍 → ∞).
𝒎 𝟏 > 𝒎𝟐 > 𝒎𝟑
−𝒎𝒙
𝜽 = 𝜽𝟎 𝒆
𝜽
In case of equivalent fins: For different cases of thermal conductivity 𝒎𝟏
𝜽𝟎
and fin length :
𝑘1 𝑙1 , 𝑘2 𝑙2 , 𝑘3 𝑙3 𝒎𝟐
𝒎𝟑
𝑚1 𝑙1 = 𝑚2 𝑙2 = 𝑚3 𝑙3

𝑙1 𝑙2 𝑙3
= =
𝑘12 𝑘22 𝑘32 𝒙
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2𝜃 = 0 Solution
2
− 𝑚 𝜽 = 𝑪 𝒆 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
𝑑𝑥 𝟏 𝟐

Cases 1: Heat dissipation from an infinite long fin (𝒍 → ∞).

An estimate of the heat flow rate can be made by writing the Fourier rate equation corresponding to root section of the fin:

𝑑𝑡 (𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 ) = (𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 )𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝑄𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0 = 0 − 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑡
𝑄𝑥 = 𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 At 𝑥 = 0 ;
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0
= −𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎
Heat transfer rate :
𝑄𝑥 = ℎ𝑃𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎
--------(6) 𝒉𝑷
𝒎=
𝒌𝑨𝒄
A rod of 10 mm square section and 160mm length with thermal conductivity
of 50 W/m-deg protrudes from the furnace wall at 2000 𝐶, and is exposed to
0 20𝑊
air at 30 𝐶 with convection coefficient 2 . Make calculation for heat
𝑚 −𝑑𝑒𝑔
convected up to 80mm and 158 mm lengths and comment on the result.
Adopt a long fin model for arrangement.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 2: Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip.

The fin is of any finite length with the end insulated and so no heat is transferred from the tip.
Boundary conditions:
𝒕𝟎 𝑑𝑡
=0
i. 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑡0 → 𝜃 = 𝜃0 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃
ii. 𝑥 = 𝑙 → 𝑑𝑥 = 0 → 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝒕𝒂
Insulation

𝑥=0 𝑥
𝑥=𝑙
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 2: Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip.

Apply boundary conditions to solution

1. 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑡0 → 𝜃 = 𝜃0
𝐶1 + 𝐶2 = 𝜃0 --------(a)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃
2. 𝑥 = 𝑙 → 𝑑𝑥 = 0 → 𝑑𝑥 = 0

𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑙 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑙 = 0 --------(b)
From (a) and (b)
𝑒 −𝑚𝑙 𝑒 𝑚𝑙 𝜽 𝒆𝒎 𝒍−𝒙 + 𝒆−𝒎 𝒍−𝒙
𝐶1 = 𝜃0 −𝑚𝑙
𝑒 + 𝑒 𝑚𝑙
𝐶2 = 𝜃0 −𝑚𝑙
𝑒 + 𝑒 𝑚𝑙 =
𝜽𝟎 𝒆𝒎𝒍 + 𝒆−𝒎𝒍
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 2: Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip.
(𝑒 𝑎𝑥 +𝑒 −𝑎𝑥 )
𝜽 𝒆𝒎 𝒍−𝒙 + 𝒆−𝒎 𝒍−𝒙 𝟐 cosh 𝑎𝑥 =
= × 2
𝜽𝟎 𝒎𝒍
𝒆 +𝒆 −𝒎𝒍 𝟐

𝜽 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒉 𝒎(𝒍 − 𝒙) 𝒕 − 𝒕𝒂
= =
𝜽𝟎 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒉 𝒎𝒍 𝒕𝟎 − 𝒕𝒂
Temperature distribution profile along the length
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 2: Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip.
𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚(𝑙−𝑥)
𝑑𝑡 (𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 ) = (𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑄𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚𝑙
0
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0 𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝑚(𝑙−𝑥)
= 0 − 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎
𝑑𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚𝑙

𝑑𝑡
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 tanh 𝑚𝑙 At 𝑥 = 0 ; = −𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 tanh 𝑚𝑙
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0

Heat transfer rate :

𝑄𝑥 = ℎ𝑃𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 tanh 𝑚𝑙 --------(7) 𝒉𝑷
𝒎=
𝒌𝑨𝒄
Q: A rod of 10 mm diameter and 80 mm length with thermal
𝑊
conductivity 16 protrudes from a surface at 1600 𝐶. The rod is
𝑚−𝑑𝑒𝑔
0 25𝑊
exposed to air at 30 𝐶 with a ℎ = 2 . How does the heat flow
𝑚 −𝑑𝑒𝑔
from this rod get affected if the same material volume is used for two
fins of the same length? Assume short fin with end insulated.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Remember B.C. at the x=0 is 𝒕 = 𝒕𝒔
𝜽 = 𝒕 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝒕𝒔 − 𝒕𝒂 = 𝜽𝟎
Cases 3: Heat dissipation from a fin losing heat at the tip.
𝑑𝑡
The fin is losing heat at the tip, i.e., at 𝑥 = 𝑙: −𝑘𝐴𝑐 = ℎ 𝐴𝑐 (𝑡𝑙 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑙

𝑑𝑡 ℎ𝜃𝑙
= −
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑙 𝑘

ℎ
𝜃 cosh 𝑚 𝑙 − 𝑥 +
sinh(𝑚(𝑙 − 𝑥)) 𝜃 cosh 𝑚 𝑙𝑐 − 𝑥
= 𝑘𝑚
ℎ Or =
𝜃0 cosh 𝑚𝑙 + sinh(𝑚𝑙) 𝜃0 cosh 𝑚𝑙𝑐
𝑘𝑚
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 3: Heat dissipation from a fin losing heat at the tip.

𝜃 cosh 𝑚 𝑙𝑐 − 𝑥
=
𝜃0 cosh 𝑚𝑙𝑐

𝑙𝑐 : 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝛿
𝑙𝑐 = 𝑙 + for rectangular fin
2
𝐷
𝑙𝑐 = 𝑙 + for pin fin
4
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 3: Heat dissipation from a fin losing heat at the tip.

𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚(𝑙𝑐 −𝑥)

(𝑡 − 𝑡𝑎 ) = (𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 )
𝑑𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚𝑙𝑐
𝑄𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴𝑐
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0
𝑑𝑡
= 0 − 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎
𝑠𝑖𝑛ℎ 𝑚(𝑙𝑐 −𝑥)
𝑑𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠ℎ 𝑚𝑙𝑐

𝑑𝑡
𝑄𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝑘𝐴𝑐 𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 tanh 𝑚𝑙𝑐 At 𝑥 = 0 ; = −𝑚 𝑡0 − 𝑡𝑎 tanh 𝑚𝑙𝑐
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=0

Heat transfer rate for fin losing heat at the tip : 𝒒 = 𝒉𝑷𝑲𝑨𝒄 𝜽 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐡(𝒎𝒍𝒄 )
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface

Case Temperature distribution Fin heat transfer rate

Infinitely long fin 𝜃 𝐿 = 0 𝜃 = 𝜃0 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 𝜃0

d𝜃 𝐿 𝜃0 cosh 𝑚 𝑙 − 𝑥
Fin with insulated tip =0 ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 𝜃0 tanh(𝑚𝑙)
𝑑𝑥 𝜃=
cosh(𝑚𝑙)

𝑑𝑡 ℎ𝜃𝑙 𝜃 cosh 𝑚 𝑙𝑐 − 𝑥
Heat loss at fin tip = − = ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 𝜃0 tanh(𝑚𝑙𝑐 )
𝑑𝑥 𝑥=𝑙 𝑘 𝜃0 cosh 𝑚𝑙𝑐
Q: 1 m long, 5cm diameter, cylinder placed in an atmosphere of 400 𝐶 is
provided with 12 longitudinal straight fins (𝑘 = 75 𝑊/𝑚𝐾) with
thickness 0.75 𝑚𝑚. The fins protrude 2.5 𝑐𝑚 from the cylinder surface.
𝑊
The heat transfer coefficient is 23.3 2 . Calculate the rate of heat
𝑚 𝐾
transfer if the surface temperature is at 1500 𝐶. Consider heat loss from
tip.
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 4: Heat transfer from a bar connecting two heat sources at different temperature

Boundary Conditions: 𝒕𝟏 𝒕𝟐
A B

Put B.C. in eq. 1 we get:

 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 4: Heat transfer from a bar connecting two heat sources at different temperature

𝒕𝟏 𝒕𝟐
A B
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 4: Heat transfer from a bar connecting two heat sources at different temperature

𝒕𝟏 𝒕𝟐
A B
 Steady flow of heat along an Extended surface
Heat flow: Differential equation for temperature distribution in fins:
𝑑2 𝜃 2 Solution 𝒎𝒙 + 𝑪 𝒆−𝒎𝒙
− 𝑚 𝜃 = 0 𝜽 = 𝑪𝟏 𝒆 𝟐
𝑑𝑥 2
Cases 4: Heat transfer from a bar connecting two heat sources at different temperature

𝒕𝟏 𝒕𝟐
A B

Perform for the minimum temp. in the rod

Q. Total length of U-shaped rod is 50 cm, ℎ =
𝑊
25 2 . Make calculation for the temperature at
𝑚 −𝑑𝑒𝑔
the rod centre & heat transfer.
 Fin performance
Fin Efficiency: It is a ratio between actual heat transfer rate through fin and the maximum
possible rate through the fin that is when the entire fin at its root temperature.

Note : The entire fin will be at its base temperature only when the material of fin has infinite thermal conductivity.

ሶ
𝒒𝒂𝒄𝒕
𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒂 𝜼𝒇𝒊𝒏 =
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙ሶ
𝒕𝟎 𝒕 𝒕𝟎 𝒕𝟎
ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 tanh(𝑚𝑙)𝜃0 𝑨𝒔 = 𝑷𝒍
=
ℎ𝐴𝑠 (𝑡0 −𝑡𝑎 )

Actual case Max. case 1. Very long fin :

tanh(𝑚𝑙)
𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 = =
1
𝑚𝑙 𝑚𝑙
tanh(𝑚𝑙)
2. Insulated fin : 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
𝑚𝑙
tanh(𝑚𝑙𝑐 )
3. Heat loss at fin : 𝜂𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
𝑚𝑙𝑐
 Fin performance
Fin Effectiveness: It is defined as the ratio between heat transfer rate with fin and the heat
transfer rate without the fin.
Physical significance : It ,means how much better heat transfer we get with fins.
Key notes:
Convection 1. Fin effectiveness increases with decrease in convective
from surface 𝑞𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ
ሶ heat transfer coefficient.
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 2. Effectiveness of fins signifies:
𝑞𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡ሶ Whether the fins worth keeping or not.
𝑃 2(𝑏 + 𝛿)
Without fin 𝐴
=
𝑏×𝛿
ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 tanh(𝑚𝑙) 𝜃0
= According to assumption: 𝑏 ≫ 𝛿
ℎ𝐴𝑐 (𝑡𝑠 −𝑡𝑎 ) 𝑃 2(𝑏) 2
= =
𝐴 𝑏×𝛿 𝛿
𝒕𝒂 𝑃𝐾
Therefore,
𝒕𝟎 𝒕 𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 = tanh(𝑚𝐿) 2
ℎ𝐴
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 ∝
1 𝛿
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 ∝
√ℎ
With fin
 Fin performance
Fin Effectiveness: It is defined as the ratio between heat transfer rate with fin and the heat
transfer rate without the fin.

Physical significance : It ,means how much better heat transfer we get with fins.

𝑞𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ
ሶ Key notes:
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 = 𝐴
𝑞𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡
ሶ 1. 𝑃 = 𝑑 , characteristic length scale
ℎ𝑑
𝐵𝑖𝑜𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝐵𝑖 =
ℎ𝑃𝐾𝐴𝑐 tanh(𝑚𝑙) 𝜃0 𝑘
=
ℎ𝐴𝑐 (𝑡𝑠 −𝑡𝑎 )
1
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 ∝
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 =
𝑃𝐾
tanh(𝑚𝐿) √𝐵𝑖
ℎ𝐴
1
𝜖𝑓𝑖𝑛 ∝
√ℎ
Q1. A rectangular Al fin (𝑘 = 200 𝑊/𝑚𝐾), 3mm thickness and 3 cm long protrudes from a
surface of 50 cm wide wall which is maintained at a temperature 400𝑜 𝐶. The surface of fin is
exposed to ambient air at 25𝑜 𝐶 and ℎ = 10 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾. Find the heat loss and efficiency.
a. Tip is insulated and
b. Tip is not insulated.

Q2. 10 cm long rectangular Al fin (𝑘 = 200 𝑊/𝑚𝐾), dimensions 0.5𝑚𝑚 × 500𝑚𝑚

protrudes from the wall of furnace of height 1m. Fins are equally spaced at a distance of
8mm. Determine the percentage increase in heat rate associated with attaching AL-fins to the
surface of wall if convection heat transfer coefficient associated with the wall of furnace is
ℎ = 50 𝑊/𝑚2 𝐾.