Quick Answer: Pin Fin Apparatus tests a heated pin fin in a 150mm x 100mm x 1000mm channel under both natural and forced convection, with M.S., brass and Al fins supplied. A blower run by an f.h.p. motor provides the forced flow, measured with an orifice meter and water manometer.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Three pin fins: M.S., brass and Al
Band heater to heat the pin fin, with dimmerstat for power input
Blower run by f.h.p. motor; orifice meter with water manometer for airflow
Cr-Al thermocouple tappings along the fin with temperature indicator
Voltmeter and ammeter for power input
Technical manual supplied
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Pin fins
M.S., brass, Al
Channel
150 mm x 100 mm x 1000 mm
Blower
Run by f.h.p. motor
Airflow measurement
Orifice meter with water manometer
Temperature
Cr-Al thermocouple with 6 tapings and temperature indicator
Heater
Band heater
Supply
220 V stabilised single phase, with earthing connection
Floor area
2 m x 1 m x 1 m height
About This Product
On this HEAT TRANSFER LAB channel, natural convection is studied with the window above the fin kept open to the atmosphere, and forced convection with the blower, connected to the channel suction, drawing air past the fin. Thermocouple tappings along the fin give its temperature distribution, from which natural and forced heat transfer coefficients and fin effectiveness are found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can the pin fin be tested in both natural and forced convection? Yes. For natural convection the window above the fin is kept open to the atmosphere; for forced convection the blower connected to the channel suction is run.
Q2. What can be determined from the pin fin readings? The temperature distribution along the fin, natural and forced heat transfer coefficients, and fin effectiveness.
