Title: Exergy transfer analysis of a pin fin in external flow

Authors: Shuang-Ying Wu, You-Li Zhang, You-Rong Li

Addresses: College of Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China. ' Department of Power Engineering, Chongqing Electric Power College, Chongqing 400053, PR China. ' College of Power Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, PR China

Abstract: Based on the non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory, a general exergy transfer model is developed to describe the exergy transfer characteristics of external convection by using Black Body Approach. This model is applied to the study of fin efficiency for exergy transfer, which is defined as the ratio of the actual exergy transfer rate to the ideal exergy transfer rate. Both the analytical expressions and numerical analysis are conducted to determine the fin efficiency for exergy transfer by using pin fin as object and air as working fluid. The resulting fin efficiency for exergy transfer is compared with that for energy transfer.

Keywords: forced convection; external flow; exergy transfer; energy transfer; fin efficiency; non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2009.028572

International Journal of Exergy, 2009 Vol.6 No.6, pp.761 - 777

Published online: 19 Sep 2009 *

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