Behavior of Thermally Radiating Tree-like Fins

Abstract

The performance of tree-like fins with varying bifurcation angle, surface emissivity, material, width-to-thickness ratio, and base heat rate was examined. Overall system performance was examined computationally. The computational results have been validated, verified, and cast in terms of commonly defined dimensionless parameters. Tree-like fins were found to be more effective and more efficient than the rectangular fins. Fin efficiency and effectiveness were found to increase with increasing bifurcation angles while base temperatures were found to decrease with increasing bifurcation angles. As expected, base temperatures were highest for the largest width-to-thickness ratios and smallest for materials with relatively higher thermal conductivities.