Alternative solutions for longitudinal fins of rectangular, trapezoidal, and concave parabolic profiles

The traditional thermal analysis of fins is based on the assumption of specified thermal boundary conditions at the base and tip of the fin. For situations when the fin base is in contact with a fluid experiencing condensation and the fin is required to remove the energy released by the fluid, the base is subjected to two boundary conditions: a fixed temperature and a fixed heat flux. This paper develops solutions for the temperature distribution in the fins under these conditions. Solutions are provided for rectangular, trapezoidal, and concave parabolic (finite tip thickness). Results illustrating the relationship between the dimensionless heat flux, the fin parameter, and dimensionless tip temperature are provided for all three geometries. The case of convective fin tip is also considered and lead to a relationship between the dimensionless heat flux, the fin parameter, and the Biot number at the tip. The results presented here provide tools that not only complement the traditional analyses but are believed to have more direct relevance for the fin designers. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.