Ansys Mechanical Automation using Python for the Steady State Thermal Analysis of Fins

Abstract

A numerical investigation of the heat transfer enhancement through fins using the Ansys Mechanical solver is presented. Results are given for a uniform fin with elliptical cross-sections and uniform heat flux applied on its base while heat is dissipated to its surroundings by convection from both its lateral surface and tip. The peak temperature at the base of the fin is used to evaluate the thermal performance. Ansys Mechanical solver is automated using Python scripting to run 792 simulations for various materials, fin lengths, and ratios between the minor and major axes of the elliptical cross-sectional shape for both cases of natural and forced convection. The use of the original automated numerical procedure significantly decreases the computational time and the user intervention. It was found that the thermal performance is improved by increasing the length of the fin, using a material with higher thermal conductivity, or having a ratio between the minor and major axes of the ellipse that is farther from unity. Forced convection gives better thermal performance compared to natural convection.