Heat Loss in Fins

SME 3033 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Heat Loss in Thin Fins

(Initial notes are designed by Dr. Nazri Kamsah)
What is Fin?
Fin is an extended surface, added onto a surface of a structure to
enhance the rate of heat transfer from the structure.
Example: The fins fitted around a motorcycle engine block.
Quiz: Can you think of other practical examples?
Thin Rectangular Fin
We will develop finite element formulation to model and analyze heat
transfer process in thin rectangular fins. The objective is to determine:
a) Temperature distribution in the fin; and b) Total heat dissipated.
Thin rectangular fins used in heat sink design for microelectronic cooling.
Heat Transfer in Thin Fins
Temperature gradient is assumed to exists in one direction only. Thus, heat
transfer through thin fin can be treated as one-dimensional.
Note: Heat flows through the fin by conduction and is dissipated to ambient
air by convection. The two heat transfer modes occur simultaneously.
Performing an energy balance across an elemental section of the thin
rectangular fin yields the governing equation for heat transfer trough
the fin, given by
0 = +
|
.
|
\
|
Q
dx
dT
k
dx
d
where Q represents the internal
heat generation, in W/m
3
.
Note:
In general, thermal conductivity, k
varies along the x-direction.
For isotropic, homogeneous
material, k is uniform and has the
same value in all directions.
(7-1)
The Governing Equation
( ) ( )
( )
=
T T
A
ph
dx A
T T h dx P
Q
c
c
Finite Element Modeling
Since heat transfer through thin fin is assumed one-dimensional, we will
model the fin using one-dimensional heat transfer elements.
The fin is discretized into three elements, as shown.
A single element will be in a local coordinate system.
Global coordinate
Local coordinate
The temperature varies from T
1
at node 1 to T
2
at node 2 in an element.
To predict temperature at any point between the two nodes we need to
establish a temperature function.
For simplicity, it is assumed that the temperature varies linearly within the
element. Therefore, we establish a linear temperature function in the
form,
( ) | |{ }
e
T N T N T N T = + =
2 2 1 1
1
2
1
;
2
1
2
N
N
| |
=
|
\ .
+
| |
=
|
\ .
Temperature Function
where N
1
and N
2
are linear shape functions given by
(7-2)
(7-3)
Element Conductivity Matrix
A one-dimensional heat transfer element is used to model thin fins, which is
similar to the element used to model the plane wall (Chapter 6).
Therefore the element conductivity matrix for the plane wall can be used
for the thin fin, so that
| | | |
2
1 1
W
1 1 m K
e e
e
T T
fin wall
e
k
k k
l

(
= =
(

where k is thermal conductivity of the fin material (W/m K) and l
e
is the element
length.
(7-4)
Element Heat Transfer Matrix
In thin fins, heat is dissipated primarily by convection heat transfer.
The effect of conduction through the fin is represented by the conductivity
matrix [k
T
] just established.
To include the effect of convection heat transfer, we need to establish a
heat transfer matrix, [h
T
].
It can be shown that the element heat transfer matrix is given by,
| |
2
2 1
W
1 2 3 m K
e
e
T
hl
h
t
(
~
(

where,
h = heat transfer coefficient (W/m
2
K)
l
e
= element length (m)
t = thickness of the fin (m)
(7-5)
Exercise 1
A circular rod of diameter D = 5 mm and length L = 190 mm has its base
maintained at T
b
= 100C. It is made of copper with thermal conductivity k =
398 W/m K. The surface of the rod is exposed to ambient air at temperature
T
= 25C, with convection heat transfer coefficient, h = 100 W/m

2
K. Model
the rod using two elements. Assemble the global: a) conductivity matrix;
b) heat transfer matrix due to convection. Assume thickness, t ~ 0.8D.
A protruding rod, which can be treated as a pin fin.
Element Heat Rate Vector
In thin fins, the heat rate vector is contributed also by the heat loss by
convection from the fins.
Using the Galerkins approach, it can be shown that the element heat
rate vector can be expressed as
{ }
2
1
W
1 m
e
e
hl T
r
t

~
`
)
where,
T
= ambient temperature (in K);

h = convective heat transfer coefficient
( in W/m
2
K);
t = thickness of the fin (in m);
l
e
= element length (in m).
(7-6)
System of Linear Equations
The system of linear equations (SLEs) for a single element, can be
written in a condensed matrix form as,
| | | |
( )
{ } { }
e e e e
T T
k h T r
+ =
where [k
T
]
e
= element conductivity matrix (due to conduction);
[h
T
]
e
= element heat transfer matrix (due to convection);
{T}
e
= nodal temperature vector (unknown);
{r
}
e
= element heat rate vector (due to convection).
(7-7)
Note:
If the fin is insulated, then the magnitude of both [h
T
]
e
and {r
}
e
will be zero.
Exercise 2
Reconsider Exercise 7-1. a) Assemble the global heat rate vector for the
rod; b) Write the global system of linear equation for the problem.
Thermal Boundary Conditions
Temperature at the base of the fin, T
b
is usually assumed to be the same
as the temperature of the structure.
The tip of the fin can be assumed as adiabatic or insulated. Therefore, the heat
flux q = 0. Hence, the boundary conditions for the fin are,
at 0, i.e. specified temperature
0 at , i.e. specified heat flux
b o
T T x
q x L
= =
= =
Global coordinate
0 b
T T =
Exercise 3
Reconsider Exercise 7-2. a) Apply the boundary conditions; b) Solve the
modified global system of linear equations for the unknown temperature
distribution in the rod.
The heat dissipated, H
e
, from a single element can be estimated using the
Newtons law of cooling, given by
( )
e avg s
H h T T A
=
where
The total heat dissipated from the fin,
1
n
e
e
H H
=
=
Heat Dissipated From an Element

h = heat transfer coefficient (W/m
2
K),
T
avg
= average temperature in the element (K),
T
= ambient temperature (K),

A
s
= surface are of the fin (m
2
),
w = width of the fin (m),
l
e
= length of the element (m).
(7-8)
(7-9)
Exercise 4
Reconsider Exercise 7-3. Knowing the temperature distribution, estimate the
total amount of heat dissipated from the rod to the ambient air. Note that for
a circular-shape (or pin) fin, the area for heat transfer, A
s
= tDL.
Example 1
A metallic fin is 0.1 cm thick,10 cm long, and 1 m width, has a thermal
conductivity, k = 360 W/m
o
C. It extends from a plane wall whose surface
temperature is 235
o
C. The convective heat transfer coefficient, h = 9
W/m
2o
C. Determine: a) Temperature distribution in the fin, b) Total heat
dissipated from the fin to ambient air, at 20
o
C.
Solution
Model the fin using three one-dimensional elements. Assume the tip of the fin is
insulated.
| |
( )
| |
( )
| |
( ) 1 2 3
2
1 1
360
1 1 3.33 10
T T T
k k k

(
= = =
(

| |
(
(
(
(
=

1 1 0 0
1 2 1 0
0 1 2 1
0 0 1 1
10 33 . 3
360
2
T
K
1. Write the element conductivity matrices
Since the fin is made up of homogeneous material and that all elements
have the same length, the conductivity matrix for all elements will be the
same, i.e.
2. Assemble global conductivity matrix, we get
1 2 3 4
Connectivity with the
global nodes.
| |
( )
| |
( )
| |
( )
(

= = =

2 1
1 2
001 . 0 3
10 33 . 3 9
2
3 2 1
T T T
h h h
| |
(
(
(
(

=

2 1 0 0
1 4 1 0
0 1 4 1
0 0 1 2
001 . 0 3
10 33 . 3 9
2
T
H
3. Write the element heat transfer matrices.
Since all elements have the same length and thickness, the heat transfer
matrix for all elements will be the same, i.e.
4. Assemble global heat transfer matrix
1 2 3 4 Connectivity with the
global nodes.
{ }
( )
{ }
( )
{ }
( )
)
`

= = =

1
1
001 . 0
20 10 33 . 3 9
2
3 2 1
r r r
{ }
1
2
2
1
001 . 0
20 10 33 . 3 9
2
R
5. Write the element heat rate vector
Since all elements have the same length and thickness, the heat rate
vector for the elements will be the same, i.e.
6. Assemble global heat rate vector, we get
1
2
3
4
Connectivity with the
global nodes.
7. Write the global system of linear equations, in the form
1
2
2
2
3
4
2
1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0
1 2 1 0 1 4 1 0
360 9 3.33 10
0 1 2 1 0 1 4 1 3.33 10 3 0.001
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
1
2
9 3.33 10 20
2 0.001
1
T
T
T
T
(
( (
(
( (

(
( (
+
`
(
( (

(
( (

(
)

=
`

)
| | | | ( ){ } { }
T T
K H T R
+ =
We have,
8. Impose the thermal boundary conditions.
1
2
2
2
3
4
2
1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0
1 2 1 0 1 4 1 0
360 9 3.33 10
0 1 2 1 0 1 4 1 3.33 10 3 0.001
0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2
1
2
9 3.33 10 20
2 0.001
1
T
T
T
T
(
( (
(
( (

(
( (
+
`
(
( (

(
( (

(
)

=
`

)
Given, T
1
= 235 C. Using the elimination method, we delete the 1
st
row
and column of the global SLEs, and modify the right side term accordingly.
We have,
2
2
3
2
4
2
2
2 1 0 4 1 0
360 9 3.33 10
1 2 1 1 4 1
3.33 10 3 0.001
0 1 1 0 1 2
2
9 3.33 10 20
2
0.001
1
1
360 235
0
3.33 10
0
T
T
T
(
( (
(
( (
+
`
(
( (

(
( (
)

=
`

)
2
1
9 3.33 10 235
0
3 0.001
0

) )
9. Write the modified system of linear equations
Imposing the boundary condition, the system of linear equations is
reduced to,
2
o
3
4
211.7
197.0 C
192.2
T
T
T

=
` `

) )
2
1
2
2
2
3
235 211.7
9 20 2 1 3.33 10 121.9 W
2
211.7 197
9 20 2 1 3.33 10 110.5 W
2
197 192.2
9 20 2 1 3.33 10 104.7 W
2
H
H
H
+
(
= =
(

+
(
= =
(

+
(
= =
(

10. Solve the modified system of linear equations
11. Compute the heat loss from each element
Solving the modified system of linear equations yields the unknown
global nodal temperatures,
12. Compute the total heat loss
The total heat loss from the fin is,
1 2 3
121.9 110.5 104.7
337.1 W
H H H H
H
H
= + +
= + +
=

Heat Loss in Fins

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Heat Loss in Fins

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Heat Loss in Fins

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SME 3033 FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Heat Loss in Thin Fins

= 25C, with convection heat transfer coefficient, h = 100 W/m

= ambient temperature (in K);

Heat Dissipated From an Element

= ambient temperature (K),

You might also like