Numerical analysis on heat removal from Y-shaped fins: Efficiency and volume occupied for a new approach to performance optimisation

This paper faces the problem of geometric optimisation for exchanger profiles with innovative shapes. In particular it was analysed the Y shape, keeping the dimensionless thermal conductance as reference parameter like in the thematic technical literature. The use of suitable geometrical constraints allows wide comparisons with papers in literature using different kinds of geometries.The methodological approach here chosen is numerical and utilises a CFD software. The geometries examined are obtained by varying the angle between the two arms of the Y, starting from the T-shaped profile that allows the best performances, as obtained in a previous work. Results show that the new shape proposed for the fins, together with the assessment of the horizontal width, leads to a novel performance evaluation criterion.