Thermal analysis of a constructal T-shaped porous fin with simultaneous heat and mass transfer

The present work establishes an analytical model for computing the temperature distribution, fin efficiency and optimum design parameters of a constructal T-shaped porous fin operating in fully wet condition. For more practical results, this study considers a cubic polynomial relationship between the humidity ratio of saturated air and the corresponding fin surface temperature. The temperature distribution has been determined by solving the highly non-linear governing equations using a semi-analytical transformation technique called Differential Transform Method. A comparison of the results with that of a numerical model shows that this transformation method is a very efficient and convenient tool for solution of non-linear problems. The effects of various geometric, thermo-physical and psychometric parameters on the temperature distribution, fin efficiency and optimum design condition have been investigated. Also, a comparison has been presented between solid and porous fins and the results point out that by selecting an appropriate value of porosity, the heat transfer rate can be increased than the corresponding solid fin. (C) 2017 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.