Heat transfer and thermal performance analysis of a surface with hollow rectangular fins

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the heat transfer and friction loss characteristics in a horizontal rectangular channel having attachments of hollow rectangular profile fins over one of its heated surface. The Reynolds number based on the flow averaged inlet velocity and the hydraulic diameter, ranged from 3000 to 32,000. The hollow rectangular profile fins in 10 cm height and a × b = 2 cm × 4 cm dimensions with a thickness of 0.2 cm were mounted on a heating surface vertically. Reynolds number, fin arrangement and fin pitch in the flow direction were the experimental parameters. Both in-line and staggered fin arrangements were studied for one-fixed spanwise (Sx/a = 3) and four different streamwise (Sy/b = 1.5, 1.875, 2.5 and 3.75) distances. Correlation equations for Nu, f and thermal performances were determined for fin configurations and the straight channel case without fins.