Experiment No.

05
AIM:
To find the effectiveness of a pin fin in a rectangular duct under Natural & Forced convective
condition and plot temperature distribution along its length.

APPARATUS USED:
Set-up used for finding effectiveness of a pin-fin in a rectangular duct.

THEORY:
Extended surface or fins are use to increase the heat transfer rates from a surface to the
surrounding fluid wherever it is not possible to increase the value of the surface heat transfer
coefficient or the temperature difference between the surface and the fluid. Fins are fabricated in
variety of form. Fins around the air cooled engines are common examples.
As the fins extend from primary heat transfer surface, the temperature difference with the
surrounding fluid diminishes towards the tip of the fin. The aim of the experiment is to study the
temperature distribution and the effectiveness of the fin, which play an important role in design.
The apparatus consist of a simple pin fin which is fitted in a rectangular duct. The duct is
attached to suction end of blower. One end of fin is heated by an electrical heater.
Thermocouples are mounted along the length of fin and a thermocouple notes the duct fluid
temperature. When top cover over the fin is opened and heating started, performance of fin with
natural convection can be evaluated and with top cover closed & blower started, fin can be tested
in forced convection.
Let,
A = cross section area of the fin, m2
P = circumference of the fin, m
L = length of fin=0.102 m.
T1= Base temperature of the fin.
Tf = Duct fluid temperature (channel No. 6 of temperature indicator)
Ø= Temperature difference of fin and fluid temperature = T- Tf
h = heat transfer coefficient, w/m2 °C.
Kf = Thermal conductivity of the fin material.
= 110 W/ m K for brass
= 46 W/ m K for mild steel
= 232 W/ m K for aluminum

Heat is conducted along the length of fin and also lost to surrounding. Applying first law of
thermodynamics to a control volume along the length of fin at a station which is at length ‘x’
from the base,
With the boundary conditions of at x = 0
assuming tip to be insulated.

at x = L results in obtaining equation (2) in the form

p∗¿
Effectiveness =
√ hA
¿

This is the equation for temperature distribution along the length of the fin. Temperatures T1 and
Tf will be known for the given situation and the value of ‘h’ depends upon mode of convection
i.e. natural or forced.

Specification
1) Fins-12 mm O.D., effective length 102 mm with 5 Nos. of thermocouple position along with
the length, made of brass, mild steel of aluminum-one each.
Fin is screwed in heater block which is heated by a band heater.
2) Duct-150*100 mm cross section,1000 mm long connected to suction side of blower.
3) F.H.P centrifugal blower with orifice and flow control value on discharge side.
4) Orifice-dia. 22 mm coefficient of discharge Cd =0.64.
5) Measurement and control
a) Dimmer stat to control heater input, 0-230 V, 2 amp.
b) Voltmeter 0-250 V, for heater supply voltage.
c) Ammeter 0-1 amp. for heater current.
d) Multichannel digital temperature indicator.
e) Water manometer connected to orifice meter.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

A) Natural Convection
Open the duct cover over the fin. Ensure proper earthing to the unit and switches on the main
supply. Adjust dimmerstat so that about 80 volts are supplied to the heater. The fin will start
heating. When the temperatures remain steady, note down the temperatures of the fin and duct
fluid temperature. Repeat the experiment at different inputs to heater.

OBSERVATION-

B) Forced Convection-
Close the duct cover over the fin. Start the blower. Adjust the dimmerstat so that about 100- 110
volt are supplied to the heater. When the temperatures become steady, note down all the
temperatures and the manometer difference.
Repeat the experiment at different inputs and at different air flow rates.

CALCULATION-
Nomenclature-
Tm = Average fin temperature = (T1 +T2+T3+T4+T5)
T = Tm - Tf
Tmf = mean film temperature = (Tm + Tf)/2
ρa = Density of air, kg/m3
w = Density of water, kg/m3
D = Diameter of pin fin = 12 × 10-3 m.
d = Diameter of orifice = 22 × 10-3 m.
Cd = coefficient of discharge of orifice = 0.64
μ = Dynamic viscosity of air, N-s/ m2
Cp = Specific heat of air, k J / kg °C
ν = Kinematic viscosity, m2 / s.
Kair = Thermal conductivity of air, W/ m°C
β = volume expansion coefficient = 1/ (Tmf + 273)
H = manometer difference, m of water
V = velocity of air in duct, m/s
Q = volume flow rate of air, m3/s
Vtmf = velocity of air at mean film temperature.
All properties are to be evaluated at mean film temperature.

Natural Convection-
The fin under consideration is horizontal cylinder loosing heat by natural convection. For
horizontal cylinder, Nusselt number,
Nu = 1.10 ( Gr. Pr ) 1/6 ------- for 10-1 < Gr. Pr. < 104.
Nu = 0.53 ( Gr. Pr) 1/4 --------- for 104 < Gr. Pr. < 109.
Nu = 0.13 (Gr. Pr) 1/3 ---------- for 109 < Gr. Pr. < 1012

Where, Gr = Grashof number,

Using h and m, determine temperature distribution in the fin from equation (4).

The rate of heat transfer from the fin can be calculated as

and efficiency of the fin can be calculated as,

Forced Convection –
As in natural convection, for horizontal cylinder loosing heat by forced convection,
Nu = 0.065 ( Re)0.466 -------------- for 40 < Re < 4000
Nu= 0. 174 ( Re)0.618 ---------------for 4000 < Re < 40000

Where,

Velocity of air is determined from air volume flow

V = Q / Duct cross sectional area

CONCLUSION:
1) Comment on the observed temperature distribution and calculation by theory, it is expected
that observed temperatures should be slightly less than their calculated values because of
radiation and non-insulated tip.
2) Plot the graphs of temperature distribution in both natural and forced convection.

PRECAUTIONS
1) Operate all the switches and controls gently.
2) Do not obstruct the suction of the duct or discharge pipe.
3) Open the duct cover the fin for normal convection experiment.
4) Fill up water in the manometer and closed duct cover for forced convection experiment.
5) Proper earthing to unit is necessary.
6) While replacing the fins, be carefully for the fixing the thermocouples. Incorrectly fixed
thermocouples may show erratic readings.

VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. What do you understand by Fin?