Analytical solutions of 1-D heat conduction problem for a single fin with temperature dependent heat transfer coefficient - I. Closed-form inverse solution

Closed-form solution of 1-D heat conduction problem for a single straight fin and spine of constant cross-section has been obtained. The local heat transfer coefficient is assumed to vary as a power function of temperature excess. The dependence of the fin parameter N on the dimensionless temperature difference T-e at the fin tip for a given exponent n was derived in a form N/N-0 = T-e(-mun) (where N-0 is a well-known N expression for n = 0). Coefficient mu was found to be equal to 5/12 according to the exact solution at T-e --> 1 or to 0.4 according to the fitting procedure for the data of the numerical integration. Obtained formula serves as a basis for the derivation of the direct expressions for T-e vs N at given n, fin base thermal conductance and augmentation factor presented in the second part of the study. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.