Optimum finned space radiators

The present study considers a space radiator with uniform area fins standing vertically on a nonisothermal parent surface to enhance heat transfer. The numerical study shows that the finned radiator exhibits an optimum number of fins for which the heat lost from the finned radiator is a maximum, for given values of NR-C, NF-C, ε, and rOPT. The numerical data has been used to derive correlations, respectively, between the optimum heat loss ratio and the optimum fin number with the other influencing parameters. These formulas are useful to the designer for a quick calculation of the performance of the optimum configuration. © 1993.