Numerical Investigation of Natural Convection Heat Transfer From an Array of Horizontal Fins in Non-Newtonian Power-Law Fluids

Natural convection heat transfer from an array of horizontal rectangular fins on a vertical flat plate in non-Newtonian power-law fluids has been studied. The underlying physical principles affecting heat transfer were studied using comprehensive solutions obtained from numerical investigations. Heat transfer to the power-law fluid was found to depend on the fluid rheology (power-law index) and significantly on the geometric parameters (interfin spacing, fin length) as well. The dependence was quantified using the Nusselt number (Nu) and fin effectiveness (Q/Q₀). The present study shows that compared to a fin analyzed in isolation, the spatial arrangement of multiple fins relative to one another in an array does have a significant effect on the flow field around subsequent fins in power-law fluids. Therefore, the average heat transfer coefficient of the natural convection system is affected significantly. The variation of Nu with the dimensionless fin length (l/L), dimensionless interfin spacing (S/L), and fluid power-law index (n) was plotted. The dependence was found to be counter intuitive to expectations based on studies for natural convection from vertical flat plates to power-law fluids. In the present study involving fins, shear-thinning fluids (n < 1) show a decrease in heat transfer and shear-thickening fluids (n > 1) show an enhancement in heat transfer for higher l/L values. The results of the study may be useful in the design of natural convection systems that employ power-law fluids to enhance or control heat transfer.