Numerical study of mixed convection heat transfer of various fin arrangements in a horizontal channel

Abstract

The mixed convection of a three-dimensional square duct with various arrangements of fins in both laminar and turbulent flow is numerically characterized and studied. This study focuses on the ability of fin arrangements to enhance a heat transfer while flow is incompressible and the fluid is air. In our models, the lower duct wall is defined with a constant heat flux condition while the two side walls and upper wall are insulated. The finite volume method with the SIMPLE (Semi Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations) algorithm is used for handling the pressure–velocity coupling. The numerical results are validated with experimental data and show good agreement. The computations confirm that fin arrangement significantly changes the temperature distribution and cooling performance of the fins. This study focuses on the new arrangements of the fins that are not presented in previous studies. These arrangements have 3 Models with two angles (30 and 45°). According to the results, heat transfer highly improves (approximately 40–50% in the laminar flow stream and 15–20% in turbulent flow in comparison to base plate heat transfer) as the simple fin arrangement is replaced by inclined fins. Moreover, the influence of limited heat flux on temperature distribution is extensively investigated. It is notable that the temperature of fins significantly reduces as the best arrangement of the fins is presented in the air flow stream. Therefore, an enhanced cooling zone occurs when the fin arrangement is adjusted according to the location of the source of the heat flux on the base plate.