OPTIMAL SPACING BETWEEN PIN FINS WITH IMPINGING FLOW

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 a nd 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 simplifie d numerical model is used to generate a large number of optimal spacin g and maximum heal transfer data for various configurations, which dif fer with respect to fin length (H), fin thickness (D), base plate size (L), fluid type (Pr), and air velocity (Re-L). Finally, the behavior of the optimal spacing data is explained and correlated theoretically based on the intersection of asymptotes method. The recommended correl ations for optimal spacing, S-opt/L congruent to 0.81 pr(-0.25) Re-L(- 0.32), and maximum thermal conductance, (q/Delta T)(max)/k(a)H congrue nt to 1.57 pr(0.45) Re-L(0.69) (L/D)(0.31), cover the range D/L = 0.06 - 0.14, H/L = 0.28-0.56, Pr = 0.72-7, Re-D = 10-700 and Re-L = 90-600 0.