Title: Minimum entropy generation design of a convectively heated pin fin with tip heat loss

Authors: Abdul Aziz; Waqar Ahmed Khan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA 99258, USA. ' Department of Engineering Sciences, PN Engineering College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Karachi 75350, Pakistan

Abstract: This paper studies heat transfer and entropy generation in a pin fin that is convectively heated at its base and losing heat through its tip in addition to the heat loss from its lateral surface. The analysis accounts for the skin friction drags at the base and the tip of the fin as well as the drag owing to forced convection over the lateral surface of the fin. The entropy generation rate is found to be a function of Reynolds and Prandtl numbers of hot and cold fluid flows, fluid friction to heat transfer irreversibility parameters based on hot and cold fluid properties, the ratios of hot fluid/fin and cold fluid/fin thermal conductivities, and the temperatures of the hot and cold fluids. Results illustrate the effects of various parameters on the entropy generation rate and the optimum fin length.

Keywords: entropy generation; pin fins; skin friction drag; Reynolds number; heat transfer; tip heat loss; forced convection; thermal conductivity; optimum fin length.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2012.045060

International Journal of Exergy, 2012 Vol.10 No.1, pp.44 - 60

Received: 03 Feb 2011
Accepted: 12 Apr 2011

Published online: 24 Jan 2012 *

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