Optimization of design parameters in a cylindrical heat sink with branched fins under natural convection

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a way to determine the optimum values of design parameters in a cylindrical heat sink with branched fins. Investigations into the effect of design parameters, such as the number of fins, length of fin, height of fin and outer diameter of the heat sink on heat transfer are reported here. In this analysis, branch angle (alpha = 10(circle)) is considered. Design/methodology/approach - The Taguchi method, a powerful tool to design optimization, is applied for the tests and standard L9 orthogonal array with three factors, and three levels for each factor are selected. Nine test samples are analyzed in which the total heat transfer rate for each test sample is found. Contribution ratios for each parameter are also found. The results obtained from this analysis are used to find the optimum design parameter values relating to the heat sink performance. Findings - The optimum design parameters are analyzed in this paper. The reliability of the optimum test samples is verified. Also, the variation of the average heat transfer rate of optimum sample is reported when it is compared with the reference sample. Practical implications - Effective design of a cylindrical heat sink has been reported for cooling light-emitting diode (LED) lights, which have recently attracted the attention of the illumination industry. In this analysis, the contribution ratios have an important role to set out the performance characteristics of a heat sink. Originality/value - The reliability of the optimum test samples is verified. Also, the variation of the average heat transfer rate of optimum sample is reported when it is compared with the reference sample.