Performance of a Convectively Heated Rectangular Fin With a Step Change in Cross-Sectional Area and Losing Heat by Simultaneous Convection and Radiation (Step Fins Under Radiation Environment)

Abstract

A numerical procedure has been used to study the thermal performance of a step convective-radiative fin with temperature dependent thermal conductivity and convective base heating. An analytical solution has been developed for a pure convective fin with constant thermal conductivity, with its base exposed to a hot fluid. The effects of geometrical and thermophysical parameters on the temperature profiles in the fin, the fin efficiency, and the fin effectiveness are illustrated. The step fin is found to deliver a superior thermal performance compared with the uniformly thick fin.