Numerical analysis of rectangular fins with circular perforations

Abstract

Fins have long been used as heat transfer augmentation devices. Fins are made from a range of metals such as mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, silver, and copper. As fins (extended surfaces) technology advances, new design concepts such as composite fins, porous materials, interrupted and perforated plates have arisen. Fin size optimization is critical owing to the increased requirement for compact, small, and cost-effective fins. As a result, fins must be engineered to extract the maximum heat with the least amount of material while still taking into account the fin's ease of production. The increase in heat transfer coefficient can be attributed to a variety of factors. The resetting of the thermal boundary layer with each disturbance is associated with the enhancement in heat transfer coefficient. Surface interruption can be seen in the form of perforated plates in fins. The objectives of this report is to estimate the temperature reduction across a number of circular perforations. Other variables such as heat flux and thermal gradient are contrasted over a spectrum of circular perforation counts. This analysis is carried out by using ANSYS Fluent code. It was found that there was an appreciable temperature drop and an enhancement of heat transfer using circular perforations. The study can be used in the design of heat exchangers employing rectangular fins.