TITLE:
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Thermal Gradient of a Solid Rectangular Fin with Embossing’s for Aerospace Applications
AUTHORS:
Joel Hemanth, K. B. Yogesh
KEYWORDS:
Fin, FEA, Temperature, Embossing and Surface
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aerospace Science and Technology,
Vol.3 No.3,
July
20,
2018
ABSTRACT: Fins are the extended surfaces through which heat transfer takes place by
conduction and convection to keep the base surface cool. Fins of various configurations
are presently used ranging from automobile engines to cooling of
chip in a computer. Fins used presently are solid with different shapes but in
the present research such solid fins are compared with solid fins having
maximum of 10 numbers of embossing’s that further increases the surface
area for maximum heat transfer. Importance in this research is given to variation
of temperature along the length of the fins which in turn gives rate of
heat transfer. Thus this research is under taken to increase the efficiency of
fins (by extracting heat from the base surface) which is highly demanded today
for air cooled engines, compressors, refrigerators etc. In the present research,
SOLID70 element and SURF152 elements are used for FE analysis.
Methodology involves 3D rectangular fin modelling and meshing, creation of
surf elements for the modeling, applying the boundary conditions and source
temperature, applying the material property (aluminum) to obtain the steady
state thermal contours. FEA results are finally compared with analytic and
experimental values for validity. In the present research, a solid rectangular
aluminum fin and the same rectangular fin with 2, 4, 8 and 10 embossing’s
were compared through finite element analysis for its temperature distribution
along the length. FEA analysis of the present research showed that fins
having embossing’s were more efficient compared to that a simple solid fin.
Hence it is concluded from the present research that embossing’s at preferred
locations further increases the rate of heat transfer. From the present analysis
it is concluded that the mathematical and FEA for a solid rectangular fin
without embossing’s are converging within ±1.2°C and rectangular fin with 10
embossing’s is converging within ±1.4°C and hence the validity.