Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Thermal Gradient of a Solid Rectangular Fin with Embossing’s for Aerospace Applications

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.