FEM Analysis of Fins with Varying Shapes and Material for Their Thermal Behaviour and Applications

A fin is a surface that extends from an object to increase the rate of heat transfer to or from the environment by increasing convection. Extensions on the finned surfaces is used to increases the surface area of the fin in contact with the fluid flowing around it. In the study of heat transfer, fins are surfaces that extend from an object to increase the rate of heat transfer to or from the environment by increasing convection. The amount of conduction, convection, or radiation of an object determines the amount of heat it transfers. Increasing the temperature gradient between the object and the environment, increasing the convection heat transfer coefficient, or increasing the surface area of the object increases the heat transfer. Sometimes it is not feasible or economical to change the first two options. Thus, adding a fin to an object, increases the surface area and can sometimes be an economical solution to heat transfer problems. There are two ways to increase the rate of heat transfer: 1) To increase the convection heat transfer coefficient h. 2) To increase the surface area As. It is noted that: Increasing h may require the installation of a pump or fan, or replacing the existing one with a large one. The alternative is to increase the surface area by attaching to the surface extended surfaces called fins made of highly conductive material such as aluminium.