Thermal optimization of tapered pin fin exposed to nonuniform surface heat transfer coefficient

In the present work, thermal analysis and design optimization of tapered pin fin subjected to variable surface heat transfer coefficient have been numerically carried out. It is well known that heat is transferred through the fin by conduction along its length and dissipated from the fin surface via natural convection to the ambient. The thermal analysis and the optimum dimension were carried out using finite element (FE) modeling software ANSYS-17.2. The thermal performance of the tapered pin fin has been studied over a wide range of physical dimensions. In addition, the effect of base to tip surface heat transfer coefficient ratio (ε) on the fin performance is evaluated. It was found that the effect of variable heat transfer coefficient has a significant impact on the fin efficiency. The rate of increase of fin efficiency was lower in the low as well as in high range of ε, meanwhile, it was steeper in the intermediate range of ε. It was also observed that the optimal values of the heat dissipation were higher for lower values of ε at the same conditions.