Heat exchanger: Optimal separation for vertical rectangular fins protruding from a vertical rectangular base

An experimental investigation of the steady-state rates of heat transfer from an array of vertical rectangular 3 mm thick fins, extending 60 mm perpendicularly out of a 250 mm high vertical rectangular base, is reported. For base temperatures between room temperature (∼ 15°C) and 100°C, the optimal separation of the parallel fins, corresponding to the maximum rate of heat loss, is 10 ± 1 mm.