Thermal analysis of a constructal T-shaped porous fin with radiation effects

This paper presents an analytical technique based on the decomposition method to determine the temperature distribution and thermal performance parameters of a constructal T-shape porous fin. The effect of radiation on natural convective heat transfer is considered in the analysis. The governing energy equations of the stem and flange part of this T-shaped porous fin for the aforementioned conditions are highly nonlinear. The adopted decomposition solution gives an explicit expression of temperature distribution in the fin as a function of a coordinate expressed by infinite power series from which fin performance parameters and heat transfer rates can easily be calculated without the need of linearization. The effects of different geometric and thermophysical parameters on the dimensionless temperature distribution and fin performances are studied. Finally, the increase in heat transfer is noticed by selecting porous medium condition in the fin. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.