Eciency and optimization of straight ns with combined heat

and mass transfer An analytical solution

Mostafa H. Sharqawy, Syed M. Zubair
*
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KFUPM Box # 1474, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Received 12 April 2007; accepted 7 January 2008
Available online 12 January 2008
Abstract
An analysis was carried out to study the eciency of straight ns of dierent congurations when subjected to simultaneous heat and
mass transfer mechanisms. The temperature and humidity ratio dierences are the driving forces for heat and mass transfer, respectively.
Analytical solutions are obtained for temperature distribution over the n surface when the n is fully wet. The eect of atmospheric
pressure on the n eciency was also studied, in addition to n optimum dimensions. It is demonstrated that the closed-form solutions
for a dry n case presented in many text books is a special case for the solutions presented in this paper.
2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Heat and mass transfer; Optimization; Straight n
1. Introduction
Finned heat transfer surfaces are widely used in many
industrial applications such as, air conditioning, refrigera-
tion and chemical processing systems. In cooling and dehu-
midication processes heat and mass transfer occurs
simultaneously when the coil surface temperature is below
the dew point temperature of air being cooled. Several
attempts have been made to analyze the n eciency with
condensation from moist air.
Threlkeld [1] obtained an analytical expression for the
overall n eciency by using the enthalpy dierence as
the driving force for combined heat and mass transfer pro-
cess. He assumed a linear relationship between the air tem-
perature and corresponding saturated air enthalpy.
Physically, the dierence in temperature and humidity ratio
between the incoming air and existing one on the n sur-
face are driving forces for the heat and mass transfer,
respectively. It is important to note that the two driving
forces can be combined into one to be converted into the
enthalpy dierence under certain assumptions.
McQuiston [2] studied analytically the overall eciency
of a fully wet straight n. He assumed that the driving force
for the mass transfer, as given by the dierence in the
humidity ratio between the incoming air and existing on
the n surface, is linearly related to the corresponding tem-
perature dierence. An analytical solution for the n e-
ciency similar to that of the n eciency with only heat
transfer (no mass transfer). He demonstrated that the over-
all n eciency depends strongly on the relative humidity
of the incoming air stream. Elmahdy and Briggs [3] studied
numerically the overall n eciency of a circular fully wet
n. They assumed a linear relationship between the humid-
ity ratio of the saturated air on the n surface and its tem-
perature, which is some what dierent than McQuiston [2]
model. Numerical solutions for a specic circular n were
obtained. Their results indicate that the n eciency
strongly depend on the relative humidity.
Coney et al. [4] studied heat and mass transfer mecha-
nism in a layer adjacent to the condensate layer, with heat
conduction through the n. They predicted numerically the
n temperature distribution, condensate lm thickness and
n eciency for a n in a laminar humid cross ow air
arrangement. On the other hand, Chen [5] developed a
two-dimensional model to analyze the n performance
1359-4311/$ - see front matter 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.01.003
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +966 3 860 3135; fax: +966 3 860 2949.
E-mail address: smzubair@kfupm.edu.sa (S.M. Zubair).
www.elsevier.com/locate/apthermeng
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288
with combined heat and mass transfer. He assumed a
second-degree polynomial relationship between the dry
bulb temperature and humidity ratio for the saturated air.
Wu and Bong [6] provided an analytical solution for the
eciency of a straight n under both fully wet and partially
wet conditions by using the temperature and humidity ratio
dierences as the driving forces for heat and mass transfer.
He assumed the same linear relationship between the
humidity ratio of the saturated air on the n surface and
its temperature as that of Elmahdy and Briggs [3]. Their
result shows that there is not much change of the n e-
ciency with the relative humidity.
Kazeminejad [7] studied a rectangular n assembly
under fully wet condition. He used the concept of sensible
to total heat ratio which is used in the psychrometric calcu-
lations to get a numerical solution for his model. His
results showed that a signicant decrease in n eectiveness
occurs as the amount of dehumidication increases. While
Rosario and Rahman [8] investigated the radial n assem-
bly under fully wet operating conditions. They assumed a
xed sensible to total heat ratio to obtain their numerical
solution. Their results showed that there is a strong rela-
tionship between the n eciency and relative humidity
of the incoming air.
Kundu and Das [9] developed a generalized analytical
technique for longitudinal, annular and spine ns under
dry and fully wet conditions. Their mathematical formula-
tion was based on the assumption of a linear relationship
between temperature and specic humidity, while the
method of Frobenius power series expansion has been
used to solve the governing dierential equation. However,
Naphon [10] numerically investigated annular n under
dry-surface, partially wet-surface, and fully wet-surface
conditions. He used a third-degree polynomial correlation
given by Laing et al. [11] for the relationship between
dry bulb temperature and humidity ratio for the saturated
air.
It is important to note from the above studies that a lin-
ear model is generally used between the mass driving force
and the temperature dierence between the surface and
ambient which capitulates to a limited solution for a given
inlet air temperature and n base temperature. Physically,
the relation between humidity ratio of a saturated air and
air dry bulb temperature is not a linear one; however, it fol-
lows the psychrometric relations.
The objective of this paper is to provide an analytical
solution for the temperature distribution and eciency of
straight ns under fully wet condition by using the temper-
ature and humidity ratio dierences as the driving forces
for heat and mass transfer mechanisms, respectively. A
more realistic linear model assumption is introduced
for the relationship between the humidity ratio and
Nomenclature
a
1
, a
2
constants dened in Eqs. (11) and (14)
(kg
w
kg
1
a
)
A n cross-sectional area (m
2
)
A
p
n prole area dened in Eqs. (42), (48), (54)
and (60) (m
2
)
b
1
b
2
constants dened in Eqs. (12) and (15)
(kg
w
kg
1
a
K
1
)
B parameter dened in Eq. (7) (K)
C constant dened in Eq. (9) (kg
w
kg
1
a
K
1
)
C
o
constant dened in Eq. (18) (kg
w
kg
1
a
)
c
p
specic heat of incoming moist air stream
(J kg
1
K
1
)
h heat transfer coecient on the air side
(W m
2
K
1
)
h
D
mass transfer coecient (kg m
2
s
1
)
i
fg
latent heat of evaporation of water (J kg
1
)
k thermal conductivity of the n material
(W m
1
K
1
)
L n length (m)
Le Lewis number
m wet n parameter dened in Eq. (17) (m
1
)
m
o
dry n parameter dened in Eq. (6) (m
1
)
n n prole exponent in Eq. (1)
N constant in Eq. (64)
P n perimeter (m)
p
atm
atmospheric pressure (Pa)
q heat transfer rate (W)
q
max
maximum heat transfer rate (W)
RH air relative humidity
t n thickness (m)
t
*
dimensionless n thickness dened in Eq. (64)
T temperature (C)
w n width (m)
x distance from the n tip (m)
X dimensionless distance from the n tip
Greek symbols
g n eciency
h temperature dierence (T
a
T
s
) (K)
h
p
parameter dened in Eq. (26) (K)
k parameter dened in Eqs. (41), (47), (53) and
(59)
x humidity ratio of air (kg
w
kg
1
a
)
Subscripts
a air
b n base
dp dew point
opt optimum
s n surface
t n tip
2280 M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288
temperature. The eect of atmospheric pressure on the n
eciency is studied, in addition to n dimensions.
2. Mathematical analysis
A steady state analysis is carried out on a straight n
when exposed to moving moist air stream, as shown in
Fig. 1. In this regard, the following assumptions are made
to simplify the analysis:
(a) The thermal conductivity of n, heat transfer coe-
cient and latent heat of condensation of the water
vapor are constant;
(b) The moist air ow is steady with uniform velocities;
(c) The thermal resistance associated with the presence
of thin water lm due to condensation is small and
may be neglected; and
(d) The eect of air pressure drop due to air ow is
neglected.
These are essentially the classical assumptions that are
typically used for the analysis of conducting-convecting
nned surfaces. It may be noted that the assumption of
negligible thermal resistance in the condensate lm is appli-
cable as demonstrated by Coney et al. [12,13] for relative
humidity and dry bulb temperature up to 90 % and
35 C, respectively. For example, during the humidication
process, the thickness of condensate lm is much smaller
compared to the boundary layer thickness for forced con-
vection. It is expected that the rate of condensation
increases with increase of both dry bulb temperature and
relative humidity of the incoming air. However, the con-
densate lm drains o the n surface due to gravity as well
as by forced air ow.
Straight ns can be classied according to its prole as
shown in Fig. 1. The n prole is dened according to var-
iation of the n thickness along its extended length. For
example, the thickness may vary as
t t
b
x
L
_ _
n
1
where t
b
is the n thickness at n base. The n prole expo-
nent n, changes for dierent n proles as follows:
(a) Rectangular prole (n = 0)
t t
b
(b) Triangular prole (n = 1)
t t
b
x
L
_ _
(c) Convex parabolic prole (n = 1/2)
t t
b
x
L
_ _
1=2
(d) Concave parabolic prole (n = 2)
t t
b
x
L
_ _
2
The general dierential equation results from an energy
balance on an element of the n normal to direction of heat
ow, as shown in Fig. 2. This gives
d
dx
kA
dT
s
dX
_ _
PhT
a
T
s
Ph
D
i
fg
x
a
x
s
0 2
The heat transfer and mass transfer coecients are related
by the ChiltonColburn analogy [1]
h
h
D
c
p
Le
2=3
3
Therefore the energy balance on the elemental volume re-
sults in the following partial dierential equation:
X
n
d
2
h
dX
2
nX
n1
dh
dX
m
2
o
L
2
h Bx
a
x
s
4
where
X
x
L
5
m
o

2h
kt
b

6
B
i
fg
c
p
Le
2=3
7
and
h T
a
T
s
8
Notice that, the latent heat of water evaporation, Lewis
number and specic heat of air can be assumed as
constants because the variations are not signicant for a
L
t
b
x
L L L
(a) Rectangular
profile
(b) Triangular
profile
(c) Convex
parabolic
profile
(d) Concave
parabolic
profile
x x x
t
b
t
b
t
b
Fig. 1. Schematic of dierent straight n proles.
T
b
Air Flow T
a
,
a
L
dx x
q q+dq
w
T
s
,
s
Fig. 2. Schematic of a fully wet rectangular n.
M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288 2281
typical n operating conditions. Thus B can be considered
as a constant.
To solve Eq. (4), an additional equation for x
s
is
required. McQuiston [2] considered the assumption that
x
a
x
s
CT
a
T
s
9
where C is a constant. While this assumption simplies
the solution of the dierential equation, it is not a gen-
eral physical relationship. Eq. (4) still can be solved by
making use of the fact that the air near the n surface is
saturated, similar to the work of Elmahdy and Briggs [3].
However, Wu and Bong [6] used a linear relationship
between x
s
and T
s
over the temperature range (T
b
< T
s
< T
t
),
given by
x
s
a
1
b
1
T
s
10
where
a
1
x
s;b

x
s;t
x
s;b
T
t
T
b
T
b
11
b
1

x
s;t
x
s;b
T
t
T
b
12
While this assumption looks physically acceptable; we still
dont know temperature at the n tip. Hence we can not
calculate the constants a
1
and b
1
before solving the temper-
ature distribution over the n surface. Another linear rela-
tionship that is suggested by Sharqawy and Zubair [14]
between x
s
and T
s
over the temperature range
(T
b
< T
s
< T
dp
) can be written as
x
s
a
2
b
2
T
s
13
where
a
2
x
s;b

x
s;dp
x
s;b
T
dp
T
b
T
b
14
b
2

x
s;db
x
s;b
T
dp
T
b
15
Here the constants a
2
and b
2
can be calculated from ambi-
ent air conditions and the n base temperature. Actually,
the maximum temperature at n tip for wet condition is
the dew point temperature, T
dp
of the air stream.
Substituting Eq. (13) into Eq. (4), we get
X
n
d
2
h
dX
2
nX
n1
dh
dX
m
2
L
2
h m
2
o
L
2
BC
o
16
where
m
2
m
2
o
1 b
2
B 17
C
o
x
a
a
2
b
2
T
a
18
We note that Eq. (16) is a non-homogeneous second-order
dierential equation with the following boundary
conditions:
h h
b
T
a
T
b
at X 1 19
dh
dx
0 at X 0 20
It is considered in boundary condition of Eq. (20) that heat
transfer from the n tip is negligible. The n prole expo-
nent n and the form of partial dierential equation for each
type of n to be studied, can be written as
(a) Rectangular prole (n = 0)
d
2
h
dX
2
m
2
L
2
h m
2
o
L
2
BC
o
21
(b) Triangular prole (n = 1)
X
d
2
h
dX
2

dh
dX
m
2
L
2
h m
2
o
L
2
BC
o
22
(c) Convex parabolic prole (n = 1/2)
X
1=2
d
2
h
dX
2

1
2
X
1=2
dh
dX
m
2
L
2
h m
2
o
L
2
BC
o
23
(d) Concave parabolic prole (n = 2)
X
2
d
2
h
dX
2
2X
dh
dX
m
2
L
2
h m
2
o
L
2
BC
o
24
2.1. Straight n of rectangular prole
The solution of Eq. (21) subjected to boundary condi-
tions (19) and (20) gives us the temperature distribution
along the n surface, in the form
h h
p
h
b
h
p

coshmLX
coshmL
25
where
h
p

BC
o
1 b
2
B
26
The actual heat rate transferred to the n surface, q
n
can
be calculated from
q
fin
k
A
b
L
dh
dX

X1
27
where A
b
is the cross section area at the n base. This gives
q
fin
A
b
kmh
b
h
p
tanhmL 28
The maximum heat transfer rate, q
max
that would exist if
the entire n surface was at the n base temperature and
the saturated humidity ratio corresponding to this temper-
ature. This can be expressed as
q
max
A
b
km
2
Lh
b
h
p
29
It is important to note that h
p
represents the mass transfer
component of total heat transfer rate. Introducing the n
eciency as the ratio of actual total heat transfer rate to
the maximum possible heat transfer [15,16], we get from
Eqs. (28) and (29)
g
tanhmL
mL
30
2282 M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288
2.2. Straight n of triangular prole
The solution of Eq. (22) subjected to boundary condi-
tions (19) and (20) gives us the temperature distribution
along the n surface as
h h
p
h
b
h
p

I
o
2mL

X
p

I
o
2mL
31
The actual heat rate transferred to the n surface, q
n
can
be calculated using Eq. (27), which results in
q
fin
A
b
kmh
b
h
p

I
1
2mL
I
o
2mL
32
The maximum possible heat transfer rate, q
max
, is the same
as Eq. (29), hence the n eciency from Eqs. (32) and (29)
gives
g
1
mL
I
1
2mL
I
o
2mL
33
2.3. Straight n of convex parabolic prole
The solution of Eq. (23) subjected to boundary condi-
tions (19) and (20) gives us the temperature distribution
along the n surface, in the form
h h
p
h
b
h
p
X
1=4
I1
3
4
3
mLX
3=4
_ _
I1
3
4
3
mL
_ _ 34
The actual heat transfer rate transferred to the n surface,
q
n
can be calculated by using Eq. (27), which results in
q
fin
A
b
kmh
b
h
p

I2
3
4
3
mL
_ _
I1
3
4
3
mL
_ _ 35
The maximum possible heat transfer rate, q
max
is the same
as given by Eq. (29), therefore the n eciency from Eqs.
(35) and (29) yields
g
1
mL
I2
3
4
3
mL
_ _
=I1
3
4
3
mL
_ _
36
2.4. Straight n of concave parabolic prole
The solution of Eq. (24) subjected to boundary condi-
tions (19) and (20) gives us the temperature distribution
along the n surface, in the form
h h
p
h
b
h
p
X
1
2
1

14m
2
L
2
p _ _
37
The actual heat rate transferred to the n surface, q
n
can
be calculated by using Eq. (27), which reduces to
q
fin
A
b
kmh
b
h
p

2mL
1

1 2mL
2
_ 38
The maximum possible heat transfer rate, q
max
, is the same
as Eq. (29), therefore the n eciency from Eqs. (38) and
(29) gives,
g
2
1

1 2mL
_

2
39
It should be noted that the mathematical expression for the
n eciency of a fully wet n, as given in Eqs. (30), (33),
(36) and (39) are the same as that for a dry n. The only
dierence is that the n parameter m is modied by multi-
plying m
o
by (1 + b
2
B)
1/2
. McQuiston [2] and Wu and Bong
[6] also obtained an expression for wet n eciency similar
to the dry n eciency but only for the straight rectangular
n. In McQuistons method, the parameter m is equal to
m
o
(1 + CB)
1/2
, where C is a constant dened in Eq. (9).
It is important to emphasize that in Wus method, the
parameter m is equal to m
o
(1 + b
1
B)
1/2
, where b
1
is dened
in Eq. (12). In the present work, the constant b
1
is replaced
by b
2
which is the average slope of the saturation line on
the psychrometric chart over the temperature range
(T
b
< T
s
< T
dp
), which can easily be calculated without
knowing the n tip condition.
3. Results and discussion
In order to use Eqs. (30), (33), (36) and (39) for the n
eciency, the modied n parameter m should be known.
Fig. 3 gives the correction factor (1 + b
2
B)
1/2
which when
multiplied by the dry n parameter m
o
, the wet n param-
eter m can be calculated. It can be seen from this gure that
the correction factor is a function of the air dew point, T
dp
and n base temperature, T
b
. For a completely wet n, the
air dew point should be higher than the n base tempera-
ture by at least 7 C. By using Figs. 3 and 4, the n e-
ciency at fully wet condition can easily be found.
To illustrate the results of the present work, the overall
n eciency and temperature distribution on a n surface
have been calculated for a constant n base temperature of
7 C and a range of relative humidities. To facilitate a
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
1.0
1.3
1.6
1.9
2.2
2.5
Air dew point, T
dp
C
C
o
r
r
e
c
t
i
o
n

f
a
c
t
o
r
,


(
1
+

b
2

B
)
1
/
2
10
5
0
15
20
T
b
= 25 C
p
atm
= 101.3kPa
Fig. 3. Fin parameter correction factor as a function of n base and dew
point temperatures.
M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288 2283
comparison between these results and those of others, the
relative humidity is used here instead of the air humidity
ratio, which is one of the variables in the equations dis-
cussed in the previous section.
In Figs. 58, temperature distribution over the n sur-
face is plotted against the dimensionless distance from
the n tip X = x/L, for relative humidities, RH = 60%,
80% and 100%. For three values of relative humidities,
60, 80 and 100%, n tip temperature is below the dew point
of air; therefore, the n is fully wet. It can be seen that at
the same location on the n, temperature dierence
between the air and n surface is smaller for a wet n than
for a dry one. Thus, the surface temperature increases
(because of the release of latent heat of condensation) when
there is moisture condensation, the higher the relative
humidity, the higher the surface temperature becomes.
We notice a peculiar temperature distribution for the
concave parabolic prole under dry condition (refer to
Fig. 8). This can be explained from the fact that as X goes
to zero in Eq. (37), the temperature dierence (h) at the tip
is equal to h
p
. However for dry n case the value of h
p
is
equal to zero (because B = 0). This fact results in the n tip
temperature equal to ambient air temperature in the dry
case, which is the same result as presented in Schneider
[17].
The eciency of a straight rectangular n is plotted
against the relative humidity of air (refer to Fig. 9), ranging

0 1 2 3 4 5
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1+(2mL)
2
1
2
+
=
=
1
L m I L m I
L m 3
4
3
4 1
3 3
2
1 I
1
(2mL)
mL I
o
(2mL)
=
(mL) tanh
mL
=
mL

Fig. 4. Fin eciency of dierent straight n proles versus the n

parameter (mL).
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
X = x / L

=

T
a

-

T
s
Rectangular Profile
m
o
L = 0.8
T
b
= 7 C
T
a
= 27 C
RH = 60% RH = 60%
RH = 80% RH = 80%
RH = 100%
Dry Fin Dry Fin
Fig. 5. Temperature distribution over rectangular n prole surface.
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
X = x / L

=

T
a

-

T
s

Triangular Profile
m
o
L = 0.8
T
b
= 7 C
T
a
= 27 C
RH = 60%
RH = 80%
RH = 100%
Dry Finn
Fig. 6. Temperature distribution over triangular n prole surface.
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
X = x / L
Convex Profile

=

T
a

-

T
s
m
o
L = 0.8
T
b
= 7 C
T
a
= 27 C
RH = 60%
RH = 80%
RH = 100%
Dry Fin
Fig. 7. Temperature distribution over convex n prole surface.

=

T
a

-

T
s
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
X = x / L
Concave Profile
m
o
L = 0.8
T
b
= 7 C
T
a
= 27 C
RH = 60%
RH = 80%
RH = 100%
Dry Fin
Fig. 8. Temperature distribution over concave n prole surface.
2284 M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288
from 40% to 100%. For comparison purpose, the value of
n parameter (m
o
L) is chosen to be equal to 0.8. Within
this range of relative humidity, the n is fully wet. It is
important to note that in using McQuistons [2] method,
the n eciency depends strongly on the relative humidity.
Wu and Bongs [6] approach agrees well with the present
results; however as discussed earlier in Section 2 it is di-
cult to calculate the wet n parameter, m in Wu and Bongs
model without knowing the n tip condition. We notice
that in both approaches, there is a dependence on the rela-
tive humidity as well as discrepancy in the n eciency
value. This discrepancy depends on the values of mL, rela-
tive humidity, n base and ambient temperatures. For the
entire range of RH studied in the present work, we nd
the eciency value is 2% lower than Wu and Bong [6]. This
dierence increases to 4.5% at m
o
L = 1.2 (which is the
maximum value of m
o
L considered in Wu and Bongs
work).
The eect of atmospheric pressure change on the com-
bined heat and mass transfer process has not been taken
into consideration in any previous study reported in the
open literature for straight ns. We know that all the psy-
chrometric properties do change with the variations in
atmospheric pressure. It may happen that heat exchanger
equipments are located at high altitudes from the sea level,
which means that atmospheric pressure is dierent than the
standard. Fig. 10 presents n eciency against the relative
humidity of air at dierent atmospheric pressures. It can be
seen that n eciency increases with the increase of atmo-
spheric pressure. Theoretically, when the atmospheric pres-
sure increases the humidity ratio of air will also increase.
This makes the driving force of mass transfer process on
the n surface to increase and hence enhancements in the
heat transfer rate due to the condensation.
4. Optimum n dimensions
Straight ns as shown in Fig. (1), are a common geom-
etry for extended surfaces in many heat transfer applica-
tions where cooling and dehumidication processes
occur, simultaneously. As with other n geometries, weight
and material cost of the extended surfaces are very impor-
tant. Therefore, n dimensions should be optimized so that
the least amount of n material be used to dissipate a given
amount of heat ow, or alternatively that the highest dissi-
pation rate be obtained from a given volume of n
material.
An analytical expression was derived by Sonn and Bar-
Cohen [18] to give the optimum pin n diameter for max-
imum heat dissipation rate. This expression was based on
dry n condition. Brown [19] derived an equation for a
dry annular n relating the optimum dimensions to the
heat transfer rate and thermal properties of the n and heat
transfer coecient. This relation was presented graphically
in terms of suitable dimensionless parameters based on dry
n condition. Schneider [17] provided analytical expres-
sions for the optimum n thickness for dierent straight
n proles based on dry-surface conditions, whereas Kun-
du [20] recently established design curves to nd the opti-
mum thickness of rectangular n prole under the fully
and partially wet conditions. He used the same linear rela-
tion between the humidity ratio and temperature as that
used by Wu and Bong [6]. It is important to emphasize that
there is no closed-form analytical solution that can be used
to determine the optimum n dimensions when simulta-
neous heat and mass transfer occurs. Therefore, it is the
intent of this section to present the optimum n dimensions
which gives the maximum heat transfer rate for longitudi-
nal ns.
The optimum n dimensions are those for which the n
will dissipate the maximum quantity of heat. For any given
n prole area we will nd the optimum n thickness by
keeping all parameters constant and considering t
b
as the
only independent variable in the n heat transfer equation.
The maximum heat transfer rate from the n can be
obtained by dierentiating this equation with respect to
t
b
and equating to zero; that is, dq
n
/dt
b
= 0
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
RH

McQuiston [2] McQuiston [2]

Wu and Bong [6] Wu and Bong [6]
Threlkeld [1]
m
o
L = 0.8
T
a
= 27C
Rectangular Fin
Present work Present work
Dry fin
T
b
= 7 C
Fig. 9. Comparison of n eciency for a fully wet rectangular n.
0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.80
RH

Rectangular Profile
m
o
L = 0.8
T
b
= 7 C
T
a
= 27 C
P
atm
= 110 kPa
P
atm
= 101.3 kPa
P
atm
= 90 kPa
Fig. 10. Fin eciency versus relative humidity at dierent atmospheric
pressures.
M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288 2285
4.1. Optimum dimensions for a straight rectangular n
The total heat transfer rate from the straight n surface
when simultaneous heat and mass transfer occur is given by
Eq. (28) which can be rewritten as,
q
fin
wkh
b
h
p

t
2
b
A
p
ktanhk 40
where k is a dimensionless parameter given as
k

2h
k
1 b
2
B
_
A
p
t
3=2
b
41
and A
p
is the n prole area which we are considering it as
a constant value
A
p
t
b
L 42
Calculating the derivative dq
n
/dt
b
= 0, we obtain
3ksech
2
k tanhk 43
Finding the positive root of Eq. (43), we obtain
k
opt
1:4192 44
Therefore, the optimum thickness for the rectangular n of
xed prole area is
t
b;opt

2h
k
1 b
2
B
A
p
k
opt
_ _
2
_ _
1=3
45
4.2. Optimum dimensions for a straight triangular n
The total heat transfer rate from the straight n surface
when simultaneous heat and mass transfer occur is given by
Eq. (32) which can be rewritten as
q
fin
wkh
b
h
p

t
2
b
2A
p
k
I
1
k
I
0
k
46
where
k

2h
k
1 b
2
B
_
2A
p
t
3=2
b
47
A
p

1
2
t
b
L 48
and on calculating the derivative dq
n
/dt
b
= 0, we obtain
2I
1
kI
0
k 6kI
2
1
k 3kI
0
kI
0
k I
2
k 49
Finding the positive root of Eq. (49), we obtain
k
opt
2:6188 50
Thus, the optimum thickness for the rectangular n of xed
prole area can be expressed as
t
b;opt

2h
k
1 b
2
B
2A
p
k
opt
_ _
2
_ _
1=3
51
4.3. Optimum dimensions for a convex parabolic n
The total heat transfer rate from the straight n surface
when simultaneous heat and mass transfer occur is given by
Eq. (35) which can be rewritten as,
q
fin
wkh
b
h
p

t
2
b
2A
p
k
I2
3
k
I1
3
k
52
where
k

2h
k
1 b
2
B
_
2A
p
t
3=2
b
53
A
p

2
3
t
b
L 54
and on calculating the derivative dq
n
/dt
b
= 0, we obtain
2I2
3
kI1
3
k 3kI2
3
k I4
3
k I2
3
k
_ _
3kI1
3
k I1
3
k I5
3
k
_ _
55
Finding the positive root of Eq. (55), we get after some sim-
plication as
k
opt
1:8053 56
Therefore, the optimum thickness for the rectangular n of
xed prole area is
t
b;opt

2h
k
1 b
2
B
2A
p
k
opt
_ _
2
_ _
1=3
57
4.4. Optimum dimensions for a concave parabolic n
The total heat transfer rate from the straight n surface
when simultaneous heat and mass transfer occur is given by
Eq. (38) which can be rewritten as,
q
fin
wkh
b
h
p

t
2
b
6A
p
k
2
1

1 k
2
_ 58
where
k

2h
k
1 b
2
B
_
6A
p
t
3=2
b
59
A
p

1
3
t
b
L 60
and on forming the derivative dq
n
/dt
b
= 0, we obtain
k
2
8 61
This gives
k
opt
2:8284 62
The optimum thickness for the rectangular n of xed pro-
le area is therefore
t
b;opt

2h
k
1 b
2
B
6A
p
k
opt
_ _
2
_ _
1=3
63
2286 M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288
We note from Eqs. (45), (51), (57) and (63) that the dimen-
sionless optimum thickness can be expressed as
t

b;opt

t
3
b;opt
A
2
p
2h=k
1 b
2
B
N
2
k
2
opt
64
where N
2
/k
opt
= 1/1.4192
2
, 4/2.6188
2
, 4/1.8053
2
, and 36/
2.8284
2
for straight rectangular, triangular, convex para-
bolic and concave parabolic ns, respectively. The dimen-
sionless n thickness given by the above equation is
presented as a function of mass transfer correction factor
(1 + b
2
B), which is plotted in Fig. 11 for all the ns dis-
cussed in this section. It is important to note that the dry
n case results are represented by (1 + b
2
B) = 1 in this plot
(that is, B = 0). It is clear from this gure that the optimum
thickness increases linearly with the mass transfer correc-
tion factor.
5. Concluding remarks
A closed-form analytical solution has been obtained for
the n eciency as well as the total heat transfer rate of
straight ns when operating under fully wet conditions.
The following conclusions can be drawn from this study:
(a) A new linear approximation model has been intro-
duced in this work for the relation between the
humidity ratio and temperature over the n surface.
(b) The linear approximation model for the relation
between the humidity ratio and temperature used
by Wu and Bong [6] can not be used without knowing
the n tip temperature.
(c) A correction chart can be used easily to determine the
wet n parameter, m from the dry n parameter, m
o
.
(d) The present work introduces a new modied n
parameter which can be calculated without knowing
the n tip condition in addition it can be found
graphically.
(e) For the fully wet n, the result of present work shows
that the overall n eciency is dependent on the
atmospheric pressure. As the atmospheric pressure
increases, the overall n eciency also increases.
(f) A dimensionless optimum n base thickness has been
introduced in this work. The optimum n base thick-
ness can be determined for the case of dry and fully
wet n conditions.
Acknowledgement
The authors acknowledge the support provided by King
Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral for this re-
search project.
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1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
) / 2 (
2
3
, *
,
k h A
t
t
p
opt b
opt b
=
1+b
2
B
t
*

b
,
o
p
t
Rectangular Fin Rectangular Fin
Triangular Fin Triangular Fin
Convex Parabolic Fin Convex Parabolic Fin
Concave parabolic Fin Concave parabolic Fin
t
*

b
,
o
p
t
Fig. 11. Dimensionless n optimum thickness.
M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288 2287
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2288 M.H. Sharqawy, S.M. Zubair / Applied Thermal Engineering 28 (2008) 22792288