Effect of Variable Thermal Conductivity on Natural Convection and Radiation in Porous Fins

In this study, the effects of variable thermal conductivity on radiation and convection heat transfer in porous media are considered. The geometry considered is that of a rectangular profile fin. The thermal conductivity is assumed to be a function of temperature. To study the thermal performance, three types of cases are considered viz. long fin, finite length fin with insulated tip and finite length fin with tip exposed. The effects of the porosity parameter Sh, radiation parameter G, temperature ratio CT and the thermal conductivity parameter m on the dimensionless temperature distribution and heat transfer rate are discussed. The results suggest that the thermal conductivity parameter has a lot of influence on heat transfer rates.

Porous Fins; Natural Convection; Thermal Analysis; Variable Thermal Conductivity