Heat and mass transfer Fins

FINNED SURFACES
Introduction:

Convection: Heat transfer between a solid surface and a moving fluid is governed by the
Newton’s cooling law: Q = hA(T − T ) where Ts is the surface temperature and T is the
s ∞
fluid temperature. Therefore, to increase the convective heat transfer, one can

• Increase the temperature difference (T − T ) between the surface and the fluid.
s ∞
• Increase the convection coefficient h. This can be accomplished by increasing the fluid
flow over the surface since h is a function of the flow velocity and the higher the velocity,
the higher the h. Example: a cooling fan.
• Increase the contact surface area A. Example: a heat sink with fins.

Many times, when the first option is not in our control and the second option (i.e. increasing h) is
already stretched to its limit, we are left with the only alternative of increasing the effective
surface area by using fins or extended surfaces. Fins are protrusions from the base surface into
the cooling fluid, so that the extra surface of the protrusions is also in contact with the fluid.
Most of you have encountered cooling fins on air-cooled engines (motorcycles, portable
generators, etc.), electronic equipment (CPUs), automobile radiators, air conditioning equipment
(condensers) and elsewhere.

Temperature distribution and Heat transfer in fins (rectangular or circular)

Governing differential equation:

Let us take small element dx on a rectangular fin with uniform cross sectional area A

Q =Q +Q
x x + dx conv

dT dT d  dT  dT d 2T
Q = −k A Q = −k A + − k A  dx = − k A − k A 2 dx
x dx x + dx dx dx  dx  dx dx

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 1

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Q
conv
= h A T −T
s ∞
( ) Q
conv
(
= h ( P dx) T − T
∞
) As = ( permeter ) dx

Q =Q +Q
x x + dx conv

−k A
dT
dx
= −k A
dT
dx
d 2T
− k A 2 dx + h ( P dx) T − T
dx ∞
( )
kA
d 2T
dx 2
(
dx = h ( P dx) T − T
∞
)
d 2T h P
dx 2
=
KA
T −T
∞
( )
d 2T
dx 2
= m2 T − T(
∞
) m=
hP
KA
m2 =
hP
KA

d 2θ ( x) let θ ( x) = T − T∞
− m 2 θ ( x) = 0
dx 2 dθ ( x) dT
=
dx dx

This equation is called, one dimensional fin equation for fins of uniform cross section(second
order, linear, ordinary equation)

The solution is, θ ( x) = C1e − mx + C 2 e mx

Where C1 and C2 are constants

θ ( x) = C1 cosh mx + C 2 sinh mx

C1 and C2 are constant are determined by the application of the two boundary condition, one
specified for the fin tip.

x= 0 at T=Tb and the other boundary condition there are several possibities

1. Infinitely long fin

2. Fin insulated at its end (i. negligible heat loss from the end of the fin)
3. Fin loosing heat from its end by convection
4. Fin with specified temperature at its end

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 2

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Infinitely long fin

T =T Assuming that fin tip is insulated

L ∞

d 2θ (t )
2
− m 2 θ (t ) = 0
dx

θ (t ) = C1e − mx + C 2 e mx
Boundary conditions, x = 0 at T = T θ = Tb − T∞
b b
x = ∞ at T = T = T θ =0
L ∞ L
x = 0 at T = T θ = Tb − T∞
b b
θ = C1
b

x = ∞ at T = T = T θ = 0
L ∞ L
0 = C2∞ C2 = 0

θ ( x) = θ e − mx
b
θ ( x) −mx
=e
θ
b
T −T
∞ = e − mx
T −T
b ∞
Heat transfer rate
dT dθ ( x ) θ ( x) −mx
Q =−k A =−k A =e
dx x = 0 dx x = 0 θ
b
Q = − k A(− mθ b ) θ ( x) = θ b e − mx

Q = k A mθ b dθ ( x )
= − mθ b e − mx
hP dx
Q=kA (Tb − T∞ )
KA

Q = hPKA (Tb − T∞ ) (Refer HMTDB Page No-50)

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 3

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Fin of finite length with insulated tip (short fin with end insulated)

d 2T
dx 2
(
= m2 T − T
∞
) m=
hP
KA
m2 =
hP
KA

let θ ( x) = T − T∞
d 2θ ( x)
− m 2 θ ( x) = 0
dx 2 dθ ( x) dT
=
dx dx

Boundary conditions, x = 0 at T = T θ b = Tb − T∞
b
dθ
x = L at =0
dx
x = 0 at T = T θ = Tb − T∞
b b
θ ( x) = C1 cosh mx + C 2 sinh mx

θ = C1
b

dθ (t )
= θ m sinh (mx ) + C 2 m cosh (mx )
dx b

0 = θ m cosh (mL ) + C 2 m sinh (mL )

b
− θ sinh (mL )
C2 = b
cosh (mL )

 − θ b sinh (mL ) 
θ (t ) = θ cosh mx +   sinh mx
b  cosh (mL ) 

θ (t )  sinh (mL ) 
= cosh mx −   sinh mx
θ
b  cosh (mL ) 

θ (t ) cosh mx cosh (mL ) − sinh (mL ) sinh mx

=
θ cosh (mL )
b
θ (t ) cosh m(L − x )
=
θ cosh (mL )
b
T −T
∞ = cosh m(L − x )
T −T cosh (mL )
b ∞
Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 4
Heat and mass transfer Fins

T −T
∞ = cosh m(L − x )
T −T cosh (mL ) (Refer HMTDB Page No 50)
b ∞

Heat transfer rate

dT dθ ( x ) θ ( x) cosh m(L − x )
Q =−k A =−k A =
dx x = 0 dx x = 0 θ cosh (mL )
b
 cosh m(L − x ) 
 θ  θ ( x) = θ b  
Q = − k A − b m [sinh m(L − x )]  cosh (mL ) 
 cosh (mL ) 
  x =0 dθ ( x ) θ
= b m [sinh m(L − x )](0 − 1)
θ dx cosh (mL )
Q = k Am b sinh mL
cosh (mL ) θ
dθ ( x )
=− b m [sinh m(L − x )]
cosh (mL )
( )
Q = k Am T − T tanh mL
b ∞
dx

b ∞
(
Q = hPKA T − T tanh mL ) (Refer HMTDB Page No 50)

Heat transfer can also be find out by,

L
Q = ∫ h ( P dx) (T ( x) − T ) (Refer the method of last derivation)
∞
o

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 5

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Fins with convection at the tip

d 2θ ( x)
− m 2θ ( x) = 0
dx 2

Boundary conditions

θ ( x) = T − T =θ at x=0
b ∞ 0
dθ ( x )
k + h θ ( x) = 0 at x=L
dx L
Solution for the second order differential equation
θ ( x) = C cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
1 2
θ ( x) = T − T =θ at x = 0
b ∞ 0
θ ( x) = C cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
1 2
θ =C + 0 θ =C
0 1 0 1
dθ ( x )
dθ ( x ) at x=L − kA = h Aθ ( x )
k + h θ ( x) = 0 dx x = L L x=L
dx L

θ ( x) = θ cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
0 2
dθ ( x )
= θ m sin h (m x) + C m cos h (m x)
dx 0 2

dθ ( x )
k + h θ ( x) = 0 at x=L
dx L

k [θ 0 m sin h (m L) + C 2 m cos h (ml )] + h [θ 0 cos h (m L) + C 2 sin h (m L)]= 0

L

[kθ 0 m sin h (m L) + k C 2 m cos h (m L)] + [hLθ 0 cos h (m L) + hL C 2 sin h (m L)] = 0

[kθ 0 m sin h (m L) + hLθ 0 cosh (m L)] + [k C 2 m cos h (m L) + hL C 2 sin h (m L)]= 0
 h   h 
θ 0 sin h (m L) + L cos h (m L) = −C 2  cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L) 
 mk   mk 
 

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 6

 Heat and mass transfer Fins

 h 
θ sin h (m L) + L cos h (m L)
0 mk
C2 = −  
h
cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk
 h 
 sin h (m L) + L cos h (m L) 
mk
θ ( x) = θ cosh (m x) − θ 0   sin h (m x)
0  h 
 cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L) 
 mk 

 h 
 sin h (m L) + L cos h (m L) 
θ ( x) mk
= cos h (m x) −   sin h (m x)
θ  h 
0  cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L) 
 mk 

 h   h 
cos h (m x) cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L) − sin h (m L) + L cos h (m L) sin h (m x)
θ ( x)
=  mk   mk 
θ h
0 cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk
 h   h 
cos h (m x) cos h (m L)+ L sin h (m L) cos h (m x) − sin h (m L) sin h (m x) + L cos h (m L) sin h (m x)
θ ( x)  mk   mk 
=
θ h
0 cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk

h h 
[cos h (m L) cosh (m x) − sin h (m L) sin h (m x)] +  L sin h (m L) cos h (m x) − L cos h (m L) sin h (m x)
θ ( x)
=  mk mk 
θ h
0 cos h (mL) + L sin h (m L)
mk

h
[cosh m( L − x) ] + L [sin h m( L − x)]
θ ( x) T ( x) − T∞ mk
= =
θ T −T h
0 b ∞ cos h (mL) + L sin h (m L)
mk

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 7

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Heat transfer rate

dT dθ ( x )
Q =−k A =−k A
dx x = 0 dx x = 0

 h 
 [cos h m( L − x) ] + L [sin h m( L − x)] 
 mk 
θ ( x) = θ 0  
h
 cos h (m L) + L sin h (mL) 
 m k 
 

hL
[m sin h m( L − x)(−1) ] + [m cosh m( L − x)(−1)]
dθ ( x ) mk
= θ0
dx h
cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk
h
[m sin h m( L − x)(−1) ] + L [m cosh m( L − x)(−1)]
mk
Q = − k Aθ
0 h
cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk x=0
hL
[− m sin h (mL) ] − [m cosh (mL)]
mk
Q = − k Aθ 0
h
cos h (m L) + L sin h (m L)
mk

 hL 
 sin h (mL) + cosh (m L)
mk
Q = k Amθ 0  
 hL 
cos h (m L) + sin h (m L)
 mk 
 hL 
 sin h (mL) + cosh (m L)
Q = Ph k A T − T
L b
(∞
 ) mk
hL


cos h (m L) + sin h (m L)
 mk 

Dividing cos h ( m L ) in the equation

 hL 
 tan h (mL) + 
Q = Ph k A T − T
L b ∞
 ( hL
) mk 
 (HMTDB Page No 50)
1 + tan h (m L)
 mk 

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 8

Heat and mass transfer Fins

Fin of finite length with specified temperature at its end

Temperature distribution

d 2θ ( x)
− m 2θ ( x) = 0
dx 2

Boundary conditions

T =T at x = 0 θ = T −T
b b b ∞

T =T at x = L θ = T −T
L L L ∞

θ ( x) = C cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
1 2
T =T at x = 0 θ = T −T
b b b ∞

θ ( x) = C cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
1 2
θ =C
b 1
T =T at x = L θ = T −T
L L L ∞
θ ( x) = C cos h (m x) + C sin h (m x)
1 2

θ = θ cos h (m L) + C sin h (mL)

L b 2

θ − θ cos h (m L)
C = L b
2 sin h (mL)

θ − θ cos h (m L) 
θ ( x) = θ cosh (m x) +  L b  sin h (m x)
b  sin h (mL) 

[
θ cos h (m x) sin h (mL) + θ − θ cos h (m L) sin h (m x
θ ( x) = b L b
]
sin h (mL)

θ cos h (m x) sin h (mL) + θ sin h (m x) − θ cos h (m L) sin h (m x)

θ ( x) = b L b
sin h (mL)

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 9

Heat and mass transfer Fins

θ sin h m( L − x) + θ sin h (m x)
θ ( x) = b L
sin h (mL)
Heat transfer

L
Q = ∫ h ( P dx) (T ( x) − T )
∞
o
L
Q = ∫ h P θ ( x) dx
o
L θ sin h m( L − x) + θ L sin h (m x) 
Q = ∫hP  b  dx
o 
 sin h ( mL ) 

hP  − θ b cos h m( L − x) θ cosh (m x)  L
Q=  )+ L )
sin h (mL)  m m  o

Q=
hP
m sin h (mL)
[
− θ (1 − cos h mL) + θ ( cos h (m L) − 1)
b L
]
Q=
hP
[
θ (cos h mL − 1) + θ ( cos h (m L) − 1)
m sin h (mL) b L
]

Q=
hP
[
(θ + θ ) (cos h mL − 1)
m sin h (mL) b L
] θ = T −T
b b ∞
θ
L
= T −T
L ∞

(cos h mL − 1)
Q = (T − T ) + (T − T ) h PkA
 b ∞ L ∞ L  sin h (mL) (HMTDB Page No 50)

Fin efficiency

The fin efficiency is defined as the ratio of the energy transferred through a real fin to
that transferred through an ideal fin. An ideal fin is thought to be one made of a perfect or
infinite conductor material. A perfect conductor has an infinite thermal conductivity so that the
entire fin is at the base material temperature.

For long fin

Q hPkA (T − T ) 1 hP
η= real
= b ∞ = m= (HMTDB Page No 50)
Q h P L (T − T ) mL kA
ideal b ∞

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 10

 Heat and mass transfer Fins

For Short fin (tip is insulated)

Q hPkA (T − T ) tanh( mL) tanh( mL) hP

η= real = b ∞ = m= (HMTDB Page No 50)
Q h P L (T − T ) mL kA
ideal b ∞
Fin Effectiveness (ε )
f
How effective a fin can enhance heat transfer is characterized by the fin effectiveness
which is as the ratio of fin heat transfer and the heat transfer without the fin. For an adiabatic fin:

for long fin

Q hPkA (T − T )
ε =
with fin
= b ∞ Pk
=
f Q h A (T − T ) hA
without fin b ∞

For Short fin (tip is insulated)

Q hPkA (T − T ) tanh( mL) hP

with fin ∞ Pk m=
ε = = b == tanh(mL) kA
f Q h A (T − T ) hA
without fin b ∞

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 11

Heat and mass transfer Fins

REFERENCES
1. Heat transfer-A basic approach, Ozisik, Tata McGraw Hill, 2002
2. Heat transfer , J P Holman, Tata McGraw Hill, 2002, 9th edition
3. Principles of heat transfer, Kreith Thomas Learning, 2001
4. Heat and Mass Transfer Data Book, C.P Kothandarman , S Subramanyan, new age
international publishers ,2010, 7th edition
5. Fundamental of Heat and Mass transfer, M Thirumaleshwar,Pearson,2013
6. Pradeep Dutta, “HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER”, Web based course material under the
NPTEL, Phase 1, 2006.

Yashawantha K M, Dept. of Marine Engineering, SIT, Mangaluru Page 12