Abstract

The objective for this experiment is to determine whether the use of finned
surface plate could improve the heat transfer in forced convection. There are two types
of surface being used in this experiment that is finned surface and pinned surface. The
same input power is used throughout the experiment. Only the air velocity is varied
three times in this experiment with five minutes duration for each air velocity. The heat
transfer done by each type of surface is calculated by using the Newtons Law of
Cooling formula which defined the convection heat transfer rate as stated in the
calculation part. The highest value of heat dissipated by each finned and pinned surface
can achieved is 11.45 (W/m.oC) and 25.81 (W/m.oC) respectively.
Theory
Heat transfer from an object can be improved
by increasing the surface area in contact with
the air by adding fins or pins normal to the
surface. This can be seen in Newtons Law of
Cooling, which defines the convection heat
transfer rate:

Q h As Ts T

The effect of the surfaces can be

demonstrated by comparing finned and
unfinned surfaces with a flat plate under the
same conditions of power and flow.

The area of each surface is calculated as below :

A finned 9 L w Abase
plate

A pinned 17
plate

DL
Abase
2