Peer Review

Circular and Square-Finned Annular Heat Sinks calculator in the subject area of natural convection. The learning material of these calculators' interface covers natural convection, fin efficiency, and radiation effects to help students understand practical insights into thermal engineering. The website summarizes the different parameters influencing natural convection heat subjects well and accurately. The case study of rectangular heat sinks in natural convection provides useful data for further analysis and understanding of heat sinks performance. It could be used to show the influence of geometric factors (fin length, fin thickness fin spacing, etc.) and boundary conditions (source temperature, heat flux, ambient temperature). The content is up-to-date and consistent with the current engineering practice, such as the use of Rayleigh and Nusselt dimensionless numbers, the fin efficiency concept, or the heat transfer coefficient. The accuracy of the results is quite good when the calculator is compared with data and examples cited in the specialized literature in this area. The calculator certainly helps in removing much of the effort involved in the calculation of heat transfer problems. The content and results from this calculator can be useful as previous knowledge in advanced heat transfer courses, such as design of heat sinks or thermal modelling of electronic components, for example. All functions and properties are in SI units.

There is no data about the material the heat sink is made of (it seems to be aluminum). In the same sense, there is no possibility of evaluating the influence of different materials (thermal conductivity) in non-uniform fin temperature cases. The ambient and source temperature are limited between -75ºC and 125ºC. This range is valid for the air temperature in many applications, but the source temperature range limits the calculator applicability to typical microelectronic cooling problems, reducing its potential value in other fields (mechanical or aeronautic engineering)

The calculator's adaptability to different learning environments, including classroom settings and individual exploration, can also be used in traditional or distance teaching, making it a versatile tool. The calculator promotes student engagement through its interactive interface, allowing users to adjust parameters and witness real-time changes dynamically. This hands-on approach encourages active exploration and enhances the learning experience. Including advanced functions such as fin efficiency and radiation, contributions expose students to more nuanced aspects of heat transfer. This exposure goes beyond basic simulations and prepares students for complex engineering challenges.  

The calculator can include that the number of fins or the overall length can be calculated automatically once one is known, providing less time for calculating. Each case must be solved separately. To obtain enough data for further analysis (the solution of a single case is of small or none learning effectiveness), several cases must be run successively. As no data record utility is provided, printing results is the only option. That means a lot of paper to study. Some theory information function button could be of help to remind the student the heat transfer equations and relationships involved in the problem solved.

The website is a Natural Convection Annular Heat Sink Calculator that helps students and professionals with natural heat transfer problems with square and circular annular heat sink problems.  The easy parameter input and real-time adjustments interactive features provide instant feedback, fostering an exploratory learning experience for users. Incorporating advanced functions contributes to its outstanding usability in various learning levels environments and practical applications in natural convection thermal engineering.

The calculator is not effective without the internet. Sometimes, the reset function button does not operate correctly.