Calculate fin efficiency from actual and ideal heat, or estimate rectangular or pin fin efficiency and effectiveness from fin material, size and airflow.

Compare actual heat with the ideal heat at uniform base temperature.

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Fin Efficiency Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Fin Efficiency. 

Ef = Qf / Qif ร— 100
  • Where Ef is the Fin Efficiency (%)
  • Qf is the fin heat transfer (J) 
  • Qif is the ideal fin heat transfer (J) 

To calculate the fin efficiency, divide the fin heat transfer by the ideal heat transfer and multiply by 100. Compare amounts over the same time interval.

How to Calculate Fin Efficiency?

The following two example problems outline how to calculate the Fin Efficiency.

Example Problem #1:

  1. First, determine the fin heat transfer (J). In this example, the fin heat transfer (J) is given as 40.
  2. Next, determine the ideal fin heat transfer (J). For this problem, the ideal fin heat transfer (J) is given as 50.
  3. Finally, calculate the Fin Efficiency using the equation above: 

Ef = Qf / Qif *100

Inserting the values from above and solving the equation: 

Ef = 40 / 50 *100 = 80 (%)

Example Problem #2: 

Using the same process as above, first define the variables required by the formula. In this case, these values are:

fin heat transfer (J) = 70

ideal fin heat transfer (J) = 90

Entering these values yields:

Ef = 70/ 90 *100 = 77.78 (%)