Effect of an axial hole on natural convection heat transfer from a cylindrical pin fin attached to a horizontal plate

Abstract

Heat transfer under laminar natural convection from a hollow cylindrical fin mounted on a horizontal base plate has been numerically studied. The flow outside the fin is much stronger than that inside the hole and as a consequence the rate of heat transfer from a hollow fin is primarily due to the contribution by the outer surface of the fin. Fortunately, the rate of heat transfer is not negatively affected by the presence of the hole at the fin centre. On the contrary, when the Grashof number is higher or the hole diameter is bigger, the inside surface contributes marginally to the heat transfer. A hollow fin saves material and weighs less compared to a solid fin. So, this feature may be exploited.