Optimal Spacing Between Pin Fins With Impinging Flow

Abstract

This is an experimental numerical and theoretical study of the heat transfer on a pin-finned plate exposed to an impinging air stream. The pin fins are aligned with the air approach velocity. The base plate and the fin cross section are square. It is demonstrated experimentally that the thermal conductance between the plate and the air stream can be maximized by selecting the fin-to-fin spacing S. Next, a simplified numerical model is used to generate a large number of optimal spacing and maximum heat transfer data for various configurations, which differ with respect to fin length (H), fin thickness (D), base plate size (L), fluid type (Pr), and air velocity (ReL). Finally, the behavior of the optimal spacing data is explained and correlated theoretically based on the intersection of asymptotes method. The recommended correlations for optimal spacing, Sopt/L ≅ 0.81 Pr−0.25 ReL−0.32, and maximum thermal conductance, (q/ΔT)max/kaH ≅ 1.57 Pr0.45 ReL0.69 (L/D)0.31, cover the range D/L = 0.06 − 0.14, H/L = 0.28−0.56, Pr = 0.72−7, ReD = 10−700, and ReL = 90−6000.