Maximum heat transfer from multi-scale fins arranged in a row with non-uniform geometry
This paper described numerical the procedure used to determine the optimum configuration of two rows of pin fins so that the total heat transfer rate is maximized. The heat transfer across the fins is by laminar forced convection bathed by a free-stream that is uniform and isothermal. The optimization is subjected to fixed volume of fin materials. The dimensions of the optimized configuration are the result of balancing conduction along the fins with convection transversal to the fins. Numerical results on the effect of dimensionless pressure drop and the thermal conductivity ratio on the optimal configuration are reported. Results obtained from numerical analyses are comparable to those in the open literature. The results also show that the flow structure performs best when the fin diameters and heights are non-uniform. © 2010 by ASME.
