Fin placement for optimal forced convection heat transfer from a cylinder in cross‐flow

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this work is to determine the optimal number and location of the fin(s) for maximum laminar forced convection heat transfer from a cylinder with multiple high conductivity radial fins on its outer surface in cross‐flow, i.e. Nusselt number, over a range of Reynolds numbers.Design/methodology/approachThe effect of several combinations of number of fins, fin height, and fin(s) tangential location on the average Nusselt number was studied over the range of Reynolds numbers (5‐150). The problem was investigated numerically using finite difference method over a stretched grid. The optimal number and placement of the fins, for maximum Nusselt number, was determined for several combinations of Reynolds number and fin height. The percentage improvement in heat transfer per fin(s) unit length, i.e. cost‐efficiency, was also studied.FindingsThe results indicate that the fin(s) combination with the highest normalised Nusselt number is not necessarily the combination that results in the highest fin cost‐efficiency.Originality/valueThe results of the study can be used to design highly efficient cross‐flow forced convection heat transfer configurations from a horizontal cylinder with minimum cost.