International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

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International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijhmt

Performance and optimization analysis of a constructal T-shaped fin subject

to variable thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer coefficient
B. Kundu *, D. Bhanja
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: In the present study, an exercise has been devoted to establish an analytical model for thermal perfor-
Received 3 March 2009 mance and optimization of a constructal fin subject to variable thermal conductivity of fin material
Accepted 20 July 2009 and convective heat transfer coefficient over the fin surface. For the adaptation of these considerations,
Available online 15 October 2009
the governing energy equation for the stem as well as the flange becomes nonlinear. A new analytical
scheme based on the Adomian decomposition method has been established for the solution process.
Keywords: As the present study is an analytic, it can be extended to the analysis for determining the optimum
Cooling
dimensions of fins satisfying either the maximization of rate of heat transfer for a given fin volume or
Enhancement
Fin
the minimization of fin volume for a desired heat transfer rate. From the results, it can be highlighted that
Heat exchanger the present model predicts the fin performance always an under value in comparison with that the pub-
Heat transfer coefficient lished results whereas the optimum heat transfer rate determined by using the present analysis gives an
Performance over value. The effect of different geometric and thermophysical parameters on both the fin performance
Optimization and optimization has been studied. For a comparative study, the present and published results are exe-
cuted for a wide range of thermogeometric parameters.
Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction Recently, requirement of enhanced heat transfer is very much

The heat conducted through solids, walls or boundaries has to
be continuously dissipated to the surrounding environment to
maintain the system in a steady state condition. In many devices
such as electronic components, compressors, transformers,
refrigerators, boiler super-heater tubes, condenser coils, air cooled
engines, etc., the capacity of a surface to loose heat to the sur-
roundings is not sufficient to maintain the surface at the optimum
operating temperature. Heat transfer by convection between a
surface and the fluid surroundings can be increased by attaching
thin strips of metal called fins. Fins are appendages attached to
the primary heat transfer surface to increase the heat transfer rate
at the air side primarily by increasing the air side heat transfer
area. Different kinds of shapes and sizes of fins can be employed
to the surface depending upon the application and nature of
designs. The problem of determination of heat flow through a fin
requires knowledge of temperature distribution through the fin.
The temperature distribution in a fin will depend upon the proper-
ties of both the fin material and the surrounding fluid. Fins are
widely used to enhance the heat transfer rate between a solid
surface and it is surrounding mainly due to convection if the fin
surface temperature is not so high with respect to the surrounding.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 9433031203; fax: +91 (33) 24146890.
E-mail address: bkundu123@rediffmail.com (B. Kundu).
essential in electronic and industrial components designing be-
cause the power of computer microprocessors doubles every 18
months, keeping constant their volume. The necessity of ever high-
er specific powers leads to increasing the number of the modular
computing units inserted in the surface allocated to the CPU. A
so intense increase of performances determines a consequent
enhancement in the thermal power generated by the components.
This leads to the need of an ever more effective cooling, to avoid
malfunctions or degradations of the operating systems [1]. It fol-
lows that optimized shapes are to be searched [2,3] to allow better
heat transfer performances. The performance of auxiliary heat re-
moval devices applied to electronic packaging was investigated
by Kandasamy and Subramanyam [4] by using CFD techniques.
This study has been evaluated the performance optimization of
T-shaped fin-based heat exchangers. The complex network of fins
is an important class of heat transfer devices in the cooling of elec-
tronics applications. The importance and complexity of these de-
vices promise to increase as miniaturization continues, and as
volumetric heat transfer rate increases. The most common network
is the tree, in which several fins are attached to a stem that makes
contact with the wall. Bejan and Almogbel [5] optimized the per-
formance of a T-shaped fin by constructal theory using as evalua-
tion parameter the thermal conductance. The assessment is made
considering some geometrical constraints characteristic of the
problem. In addition, thermal conductivity of the fin material and

0017-9310/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2009.09.034
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 255

Nomenclature

a heat transfer coefficient at the fin base (W/m2 K) U dimensionless volume, see Eq. (22)
Afn, Bfn, Cfn Adomian polynomials for the solution of flange part, V volume per unit width (m2)
n = 0, 1, . . . x axial length measured from flange tip as shown in Fig. 1
Asn, Bsn, Csn adomian polynomials for the solution of stem part, (m)
n = 0, 1, . . . X dimension less axial distance, x/L2
Bi Biot number, at1/ka y axial length measured from the junction along the stem,
f function defined in Eq. (24) see Fig. 1 (m)
g1, g2, g3 functions, see Eq. (25) Y dimensionless length, y/L1
h heat transfer coefficient over the fin surface (W/m2 K) Z thermogeometric parameter defined in Eq. (4)
J Jacobian matrix
k thermal conductivity of fin material (W/m K) Greek symbols
Lx, Ly highest order derivatives a thickness ratio, t2/t1
L1 1
x ; Ly inverse operator of Lx and Ly, respectively, see Eq. (9) b variable thermal conductivity parameter, k(T1Ta)
LR length ratio, L2/L1 d temperature gradient in the stem at y = 0, (K m1)
L1 length of the stem (m) e fin effectiveness
L2 semi-length of the flange (m) g fin efficiency
n index for variable heat transfer coefficient h dimensionless temperature, (TTa)/(T1Ta)
q actual heat transfer rate per unit width of the T-shape hc dimensionless temperature at the joining section of
fin (W/m) flange and stem, (TcTa)/(T1Ta)
Q dimensionless actual heat transfer rate, see Eq. (17) hs2a variable defined in Eq. (13)
qi ideal heat transfer rate per unit width (W/m) ht dimensionless tip temperature of the flange, (Tt - Ta)/(T1
Qi dimensionless ideal heat transfer rate, defined in Eq. - Ta)
(18) k a constant for variable thermal conductivity (K1)
qw heat transfer rate per unit width through the same base w thickness to length ratio of stem, t1/L1
area with the consideration of no fin situation (W/m) r1, r2, r3, r4 variables expressed in Eq. (30)
Qw dimensionless heat transfer rate, see Eq. (20) x1, x2, x3, x4 variables, see Eq. (29)
t1 thickness of the stem (m) n1, n2, n3, n4 matrixes defined in Eqs. (31)–(34)
t2 thickness of the flange (m)
T temperature (K) Subscripts
Tc temperature at the joining section (K) a ambient
Tt tip temperature of the flange (K) f flange
T1 base temperature (K) s stem

L L
t Moretti [8]. Alebrahim and Bejan [9] derived three-dimensional
L vidual fin operating in practical situations. For example, Karlekar
t thermal conductivity and internal heat generation, while Jany
Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of a T-shape fin.
convective heat transfer coefficient are assumed to be constant.
The numerical method used in [6], starting from the geometry real-
ized in a CAD environment, allows to study the effect of each influ-
encing parameter, both geometrical and thermo-fluid mechanical.
It uses a limited amount of resources and, not being affected by any
systematic errors, gives wide technical applicability to the study.
Amogbel and Bejan [7] investigated cylindrical trees of pin fin
assembly subject to total volume and fin material constraints. A
numerical analysis on heat removal from Y-shaped fins determin-
ing efficiency and volume occupied for a new approach to perfor-
mance optimization has been demonstrated by Lorenzini and
conductive and convective heat transfer of circular fins by con-
structal method for minimizing geometrically the thermal resis-
tance between a volume and a point.
A considerable amount of research has been conducted into the
variable thermal parameters which are all associated with an indi-
and Chao [10] presented an optimization procedure for achieving
maximum dissipation from a longitudinal fin system of trapezoidal
profile with mutual irradiation. Razelos and Imre [11] considered
the variation of the convective heat transfer coefficient from the
base of a convective fin to its tip. Hung and App [12] presented
the performance of a straight fin with temperature dependent
and Bejan [13] investigated the optimum shape for straight fins
with temperature dependent conductivity. The governing equation
of fins with variable thermal parameters is in the form of a nonlin-
ear differential equation, and, in most cases, solving these equa-
tions involves numerical procedures. Chung and Jhang [14] used
a variational calculas approach to determine the optimum shape
and minimum mass of a thin fin with diffused reflecting surfaces.
Aziz [15] and Krane [16] used the regular perturbation method
and a numerical solution method to present a closed form solution
for a straight convecting fin with temperature dependent thermal
conductivity, while an alternative approach based on the Galerkin
method was used by Muzzio [17] to obtain approximate analytical
256 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

solutions. Recently, the Adomian decomposition method [18] has temperature may be treated as a function of only one coordinate,
emerged as an alternative method for solving a wide range of prob- length, measured from the junction to the base for stem part,
lems. Chiu and Chen [19,20] used decomposition method to evalu- and from the flange tip to the junction for the flange part, respec-
ate the efficiency and the optimum length of a convective tively. In the present analysis, it is also assumed that there is no
rectangular fin as well as a convective–radiative longitudinal fin heat generation within the fin. Heat transfer through the tip sur-
with variable conductivity and to determine the temperature dis- face of the flange part is also assumed to be negligible. However,
tribution within the fin. Arslanturk [21] using decomposition the variation of heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity
method evaluated the efficiency of a radiating rectangular fin with of the fin material can not be neglected. The thermal conductivity
variable thermal conductivity. Lesnic and Heggs [22] applied the of the fin material is varied linearly and heat transfer coefficient h
same method to determine the temperature distribution within a that also depends upon the fin surface temperature expressed by a
single fin with a temperature dependent heat transfer coefficient. power function with an index value n.
Kundu and Das [23] demonstrated the performance and optimiza- To determine the temperature distribution in both parts of the
tion of three common types of fins, namely, longitudinal, spine and fin, it is necessary to establish the governing energy equation first
annular fins of trapezoidal profile with the variation of convective by performing an energy balance according to the first law of ther-
heat transfer coefficient based on the Frobinius power series modynamics on a differential volume element in the fin. Based on
solution. the above assumptions, the energy balanced equation for flange
From the existing literature summarized above, it can be men- and stem part of the fin are given, separately, in the following
tioned that the analysis of constructal fins had been made on the expressions:
assumption of constant thermal conductivity and convective heat    
d=dxðkf dT f =dxÞ  2hf ðT f  T a Þ=t 2 0 ð0  x  L2 Þ
transfer coefficient. On the other hand, lot of research activities ¼ ð1Þ
has already been devoted to analyze individual fins with the vari- d=dyðks dT s =dyÞ  2hs ðT s  T a Þ=t1 0 ð0  y  L1 Þ
ation of thermophysical parameters. In most of the cases, the gov- The thermal conductivity of any metal depends upon the tempera-
erning equation of individual fins with the consideration of ture. For most of the pure metal, thermal conductivity decreases
variable parameters was solved numerically. To obtain analytical with increase in temperature. For this, the present study has been
solutions, a few works was made on the basis of quasilinearization concentrated to analyze on heat transfer characteristics for decreas-
technique. However, in an actual case study on the constructal fin, ing conductivity parameter with the temperature. The thermal con-
variation of thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient ductivity of flange part kf and stem part ks of the fin are assumed to
must be accounted. This fact has motivated for the analysis of pres- be a linear function with their respective temperature.
ent study.    
In this study, a new technique followed by Adomian decom- ks 1 þ kðT s  T a Þ
¼ ka ð2Þ
position method is applied to solve two nonlinear governing en- kf 1 þ kðT f  T a Þ
ergy equations of a T-shaped fin simultaneously to determine
where ka is the thermal conductivity at the ambient temperature of
the temperature distribution in the stem and flange. The present
the fin, k is a constant for variable thermal conductivity.
approximate analytical technique is a very useful and practical
The heat transfer coefficient on a surface depends upon the lot
method for solving any class of nonlinear governing equations
of physical parameters involved. In the fin design application, the
without adopting linearization or perturbation technique. The
variation of heat transfer coefficient is considered as a function
present analysis includes the effect of the variation of the ther-
of fin surface temperature. The local heat transfer coefficient for
mal conductivity of the fin material and heat transfer coefficient.
the stem part hs and the flange part hf is also assumed to exhibit
The performance parameters, namely fin efficiency and fin effec-
a power-law-type dependence on the local temperature difference
tiveness have been determined for a wide range of thermogeo-
between the fin and the ambient fluid.
metric parameters. The results of the present approximate !
 
analytical solution are then compared with that obtained by hs hns
the numerical solution and a reasonable matching of results ¼a n ð3Þ
hf hf
has been noticed. An optimization analysis has also been carried
out in a generalized way either heat transfer rate or fin volume where a is a dimensional constant defined by physical properties of
can be taken as a constraint. Finally, a significant difference in the surrounding medium and the exponent n depends on the heat
results has been found when the present result is compared with transfer mode. In order to express the equations in nondimensional
the published value. forms, the following dimensionless parameters are defined as
       
X x=L2 hs ðT s  T a Þ=ðT 1  T a Þ
¼ ; ¼ ;
2. Performance analysis Y y=L1 hf ðT f  T a Þ=ðT 1  T a Þ
       
a t2 =t 1 Bi at1 =ka
¼ ; ¼ ; and
A T-shaped fin of uniform cross-section in their respective stem LR L2 =L1 b kðT 1  T a Þ
and flange parts is shown in Fig. 1. The stem part is attached with   !
Zs 2Bi=w2
the primary surface from which enhancement of rate of heat dissi- ¼ 2
ð4Þ
pation is required. The lateral surface of the fin provides an in-
Zf 2BiLR =ðw2 a2 Þ
creased area for dissipating heat from the hot base to the Eq. (1) can be written in dimensionless form by using Eqs. (2)–(4) as
ambient temperature Ta. The primary surface (base) temperature !
2 2 2 2  
T1 is assumed to be a constant. The temperature variation along d hf =dX þ bðdhf =dXÞ2 þ bhf d hf =dX  Z f hnþ1
f 0
the length of both stem and flange of the fin exists due to conduc-
¼ ð5Þ
2 2
d hs =dY þ bðdhs =dYÞ2 þ bhs d hs =dY  Z s hsnþ1
2 2 0
tive resistance to heat flow. The heat is dissipated from the solid
surface to the surrounding due to convection. The thickness of There is no heat transfer taken place through the tip surface of the
the fin is very small compared to its length and thus the thermal fin, the continuity of temperature and heat conduction are satisfied
resistance of fin material along the thickness direction is negligible at the junction section between flange and stem, and base temper-
compared to that of convective film of the surface, the gradient of ature is assumed to be constant. Mathematically, Eq. (5) is subjected
temperature across the section may be ignored and the variation of to the following boundary conditions:
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 257

dhf =dX ¼ 0; at X ¼ 0 ð6aÞ where, the inverse operators are given by

hf ¼ hs ; at X ¼ 1 and Y¼0 ð6bÞ ! RX RX !
L1
x 0 0
ðÞ dX dX
dhs =dY ¼ 2ða=LR Þdhf =dX; at X ¼ 1 and Y ¼ 0 ð6cÞ ¼ RY RY ð9Þ
L1
y 0 0
ðÞ dY dY
and
hf(0) and hs(0) are the tip and common section temperature of the
h ¼ 1; at Y ¼ 1 ð6dÞ flange and stem parts, respectively. The temperature gradient
dhf(0)/dX is zero for the insulated boundary condition. The gradient
Eq. (5) is a nonlinear second order ordinary differential form. It can- dhs(0)/dY is nonzero. However, these three terms are unknown to be
not be solved by the usual analytical technique. Recently, use in determined by using boundary conditions. The nonlinear terms in
Adomian decomposition method gradually increases to such prob- Eq. (8) are decomposed by Adomian polynomials and thus Eq. (8)
lems involving the nonlinearity effect. The Adomian decomposition can be written recursively by using Eq. (7) as
method was introduced and developed by George Adomian initially   !
hf 1 Z f L1 1 1
x Af 0  bLx Bf 0  bLx C f 0
with the aims to solve frontier physical problems has been applied ¼ ð10aÞ
to a wide class of deterministic and stochastic problems. The meth- hs1 Z s L1 1 1
y As0  bLy Bs0  bLy C s0
od proved to be powerful, effective and can easily handle a wide   !
hf 2 Z f L1 1 1
x Af 1  bLx Bf 1  bLx C f 1
class of linear or nonlinear algebraic [24], ordinary differential ¼ ð10bÞ
[25], integro-differential [26] and partial differential equation [27]
hs2 Z s L1 1 1
y As1  bLy Bs1  bLy C s1
  !
and integral equations. The decomposition method demonstrates hf 3 Z f L1 1 1
x Af 2  bLx Bf 2  bLx C f 2
fast convergence of the solution and therefore providing significant ¼ ð10cÞ
hs3 Z s L1 1 1
y As2  bLy Bs2  bLy C s2
advantages. The advantage of this method is that it provides a direct
scheme for solving the problem without the need for linearization. .. ..
.¼ .
A method based on the Adomian decomposition is employed on
the present problem to determine the temperature field in the The Adomian polynomials are given by

0 1 0 1
Af 0 As0 hnþ1
f0 hnþ1
s0
B C B C
@ Bf 0 Bs0 A ¼ B 2 2 2
@ hf 0 d hf 0 =dX hs0 d hs0 =dY A
2C
ð11aÞ
Cf 0 C s0 ðdhf 0 =dXÞ2 ðdhs0 =dYÞ2
0 1 0 1
Af 1 As1 ðn þ 1Þhf 1 hnf0 ðn þ 1Þhs1 hns0
B C B C
@ Bf 1 Bs1 A ¼ @ hf 1 d2 hf 0 =dX 2 þ hf 0 d2 hf 1 =dX 2 hs1 d2 hs0 =dY 2 þ hs0 d2 hs1 =dY 2 A ð11bÞ
Cf 1 C s1 2ðdhf 1 =dXÞðdhf 0 =dXÞ 2ðdhs1 =dYÞðdhs0 =dYÞ
0 1 0 n 2 n1
1
Af 2 As2 ðn þ 1Þhf 2 hf 0 þ nðn þ 1Þhf 1 hf 0 =2! ðn þ 1Þhs2 hns0 þ nðn þ 1Þh2s1 hn1
s0 =2!
B C B C
@ Bf 2 Bs2 A ¼ B 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
@ hf 2 d hf 0 =dX þ hf 1 d hf 1 =dX þ hf 0 d hf 2 =dX hs2 d hs0 =dY þ hs1 d hs1 =dY þ hs0 d hs2 =dY A
2 2C
ð11cÞ
Cf 2 C s2 2ðdhf 2 =dXÞðdhf 0 =dXÞ þ ðdhf 1 =dXÞ2 2ðdhs2 =dYÞðdhs0 =dYÞ þ ðdhs1 =dYÞ2
.. ..
.¼ .

flange and stem. To describe the present analysis, the following Using Eqs. (8), (10) and (11), the temperature distribution terms in
steps are furnished starting with the decomposing functions hf(X) the flange and stem can be written as follows:
and hs(Y) into a respective sum of an infinite number of compo- ! !
hf 0 ht
nents defined by the decomposition series as ¼ ð12aÞ
hs0 hc þ Yd
0 1
0P 1 ! Z f hnþ1
t
X2
1 hf 1 B 2! C
  hfn ðXÞ ¼@ A ð12bÞ
hf ðXÞ B n¼0 C hs1
nþ3
Z s hs0 2 2 Z hnþ3
 bd2!Y  ðnþ2Þðnþ3Þd
s c
2 
Z s hnþ2
c Y
¼B
@P 1
C
A ð7Þ ðnþ2Þðnþ3Þd 2 ðnþ2Þd
hs ðYÞ !
0 1
hsn ðYÞ hf 2 
bZ f hnþ2
t
X2
þ
ðnþ1ÞZ 2f h2nþ1
t
X4

n¼0 B 2! 4! C
¼@ A ð12cÞ
hs2 b2 h c d 2 Y 2 2 3 3 bZ s hnþ4 bZ hnþ4 bZ s hcnþ3 Y Z 2s h2nþ4 Y
2!
þ 3b 3!d Y  ðnþ3Þðnþ4Þd
s0
2þ
s c
ðnþ3Þðnþ4Þd2
þ ðnþ3Þd
 ðnþ2Þd
c
3 þ hs2a

where, the components hfn(X) and hsn(Y), n P 0 are to be determined .. .

in a recursive manner. This method concerns itself with finding the . ¼ ..
components ð hf 0 hs0 Þ; ð hf 1 hs1 Þ; ð hf 2 hs2 Þ,. . .., individually. The
where
determination of these components can be achieved in an easy
way through a recursive relation that usually involves simple inte-
grals. The temperature profiles obtained from Eq. (5) can be ex- 2bZ s hnþ4
s0 2bZ s hcnþ4
hs2a ¼  þ
pressed as a function of second order inverse operator. ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þðn þ 4Þd2 ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þðn þ 4Þd2
2bZ s hnþ3
c Y 2bZ s hcnþ2 Y 2 bZ s hnþ3
c Y
  nþ1 2 2 2 ! þ þ þ
hf hf ð0Þ þ Xdhf ð0Þ=dX þ Z f L1
x hf  bL1
x ðdhf =dXÞ  bL1
x fhf d hf =dX g ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þd ðn þ 2Þ2! 2d
¼ 2 2
ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hnþ4 ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hnþ4
nþ1 2
hs hs ð0Þ þ Ydhs ð0Þ=dY þ Z s L1
y hs  bL1 1
y ðdhs =dYÞ  bLy fhs d hs =dY g s0 c
 2
þ
ð8Þ 2ðn þ 3Þðn þ 4Þd 2ðn þ 3Þðn þ 4Þd2
258 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hnþ3 Y ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hc hnþ3 bZ s hnþ4 qi

þ c
þ s0
þ c Qi ¼ ¼ 2Bið1 þ 2LR ÞðT 1  T a Þn =w ð18Þ
2 ka ðT 1  T a Þ
2ðn þ 3Þd ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þd 2ðn þ 2Þd2
ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hcnþ4 ðn þ 1ÞbZ s hnþ3
c Y bZ s h2c hs0
nþ2 The fin efficiency is defined as the ratio of actual heat transfer rate
 2
  through the fin to the ideal heat rate. Thus
ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þd ðn þ 2Þd 2ðn þ 2Þd2
ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s h2nþ5
s0 Z 2s h2nþ5
c
g ¼ Q =Q i ð19Þ
þ 4
 2 4
ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þð2n þ 4Þð2n þ 5Þd ðn þ 2Þ d Heat transfer rate through the same base area of the fin can be
ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s h2nþ5 determined from the following expression if there was no fin
c
 attached.
ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þð2n þ 4Þð2n þ 5Þd4
qw
ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s h2nþ4
c Y Z 2s hnþ3
c
nþ2
hs0 Qw ¼ ¼ BiðT 1  T a Þn ð20Þ
 3
 2 4
ka ðT 1  T a Þ
ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þð2n þ 4Þd ðn þ 2Þ ðn þ 3Þd
The fin effectiveness is defined as the ratio of actual heat transfer
Z 2s hnþ3
c
nþ2
hs0 Z 2s hc2nþ5 Z 2s hc2nþ4 Y
þ 2 4
þ 2 4
þ 3 rate through the fin to the heat transfer rate calculated through
ðn þ 2Þ d ðn þ 2Þ ðn þ 3Þd ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þd the same base area under no finned condition. Thus
ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s hnþ2 hnþ3 ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s h2nþ5 ðn þ 1ÞZ 2s h2nþ4 Y
 2
c s0
þ 2
c
þ c
ð13Þ e ¼ Q =Q w ð21Þ
ðn þ 2Þ ðn þ 3Þd 4
ðn þ 2Þ ðn þ 3Þd 4
ðn þ 2Þ2 d3
From the above temperature expressions for flange and stem parts, 3. Optimization analysis
it can be mentioned that the unknown constants ht, hc and d are
determined by using boundary conditions 6b, 6c, and 6d. With The volume of a T-shape fin per unit width can be written in
the imposition of the temperature expressions on the boundary dimensionless form as
conditions, the following equations can be obtained:
2 2
  U ¼ a2 V=ka ¼ Bi ð1 þ 2LR aÞ=w ð22Þ
Z f hnþ1
ht  hc þ t
1  bht þ b2 h2t  b3 h3t þ b4 h4t From Eqs. (17) and (22), it can be highlighted that both the heat
2!
Z 2f h2nþ1 h i transfer rate and fin volume are a function of thermogeometric
t
þ ðn þ 1Þ  ð2n þ 5Þbht þ 3ðn þ 4Þb2 h2t  2ð2n þ 1Þb3 h3t parameters such as Bi, LR, a and w. In general, either heat transfer
4!
Z 3f h3nþ1  rate or fin volume is taken as a constant in a fin design problem.
t
þ ð4n2 þ 5n þ 1Þ  3ð4n2 þ 11n þ 7Þbht The optimization study in the present work has been made in a gen-
6! i eralized way such that any one of the aforementioned constraints
þð24n2 þ 102n þ 123Þb2 h2t þ   ¼ 0 ð14Þ
can be considered as a constraint selected by a designer depending
" 2 2nþ1
2a Z f ht upon the requirement of a design. In addition, four dimensionless
Z f hnþ1
t ð1  bht þ b2 h2t  b3 h3t þ b4 h4t Þ fðn þ 1Þ  ð2n þ 5Þbht geometrical variables are varied simultaneously to establish the
LR 3!
optimality criteria. This optimality condition is also valid for the
Z 3f h3nþ1
t  imposition of additional constraint chosen according to the manu-
þ 3ðn þ 4Þb2 h2t  2ð2n þ 1Þb3 h3t ð4n2 þ 5n þ 1Þ
5! o i facturing and fabrication point of view. The optimality criteria are
3ð4n2 þ 11n þ 7Þbht þ ð24n2 þ 102n þ 123Þb2 h2t þ    d ¼ 0 ð15Þ derived from the Euler equations by eliminating the Lagrange
multiplier.
and 0 0 1 1
ð@Q =@BiÞð@U=@wÞ  ð@Q =@wÞð@U=@BiÞ 0
Zs h i B C B C
hc þ d  1 þ ðhs2a ÞY¼1 þ ðhc þ dÞnþ3  hnþ3
c
@ ð@Q =@BiÞð@U=@LR Þ  ð@Q =@LR Þð@U=@BiÞ A ¼ @ 0 A ð23Þ
ðn þ 2Þðn þ 3Þd2 ð@Q =@LR Þð@U=@ aÞ  ð@Q =@ aÞð@U=@LR Þ 0
bZ s h i bd2
 2
ðhc þ dÞnþ4  hcnþ4  ð1  hc  bdÞ The constraint equation either heat transfer rate or fin volume can
ðn þ 3Þðn þ 4Þd 2!
! be written by a function as
Z s hcnþ2 Z s hnþ2
c bZ s hnþ3
c
8 1 
P 
 1þ þ þ  ¼ 0 ð16Þ >
< w½1 þ kðT 1  T a Þ dhsi
ðn þ 2Þd d 2 ðn þ 3Þd dY
Q
f ðBi; w; LR ; aÞ ¼ i¼0 Y¼1 ð24Þ
>
: 2
Eqs. (14)–(16) are transcendental algebraic equations solving these Bi ð1 þ 2LR aÞ=w  U
three simultaneously in order to determine the unknown constants
Using Eqs. (17) and (22), Eq. (23) can be expanded as
ht, hc and d. A generalized Newton–Raphson method for the solution
0 P
1   P1   P1   1
of multiple roots has been employed here. The final roots are deter- Bi @ dhsi
þ2 dhsi
þ 2w @w @ dhsi
0 1 B i¼0 @Bi dY Y¼1 Y¼1 C 0 1
dY dY
mined after satisfying a desired accuracy (106). The detailed con- g 1 ðBi; w; LR ; aÞ B
 
i¼0 Y¼1 i¼0
 
C 0
B P
1 P1 C
vergence criteria for the solution of Newton–Raphson method can B C B Bia @ dhsi
 ð1 þ 2LR aÞ @LR dY@ dhsi C B C
@ g 2 ðBi; w; LR ; aÞ A ¼ B @Bi dY C ¼ @0A
B Y¼1 Y¼1 C
be found elsewhere [28]. g 3 ðBi; w; LR ; aÞ B 1i¼0    
i¼0
C 0
@ P @ dh P
1 A
After determining the temperature distributions in the stem LR @LR dYsi  a @@a dh dY
si

i¼0 Y¼1 i¼0 Y¼1

and flange, one can easily calculate the heat transfer rate through
ð25Þ
a T-shape fin by applying the Fourier’s law of heat conduction at
the base. The solution of Eqs. (24) and (25) gives the optimum geometric
1 
X  parameters. The Newton–Raphson iterative method can be em-
q dhsi
Q¼ ¼ w½1 þ kðT 1  T a Þ ð17Þ ployed for the solution. As the multiple roots are obtained by this
ka ðT 1  T a Þ i¼0
dY Y¼1 iteration, caution has to be required for the selection of the initial
guess values for the roots such that they are satisfied the conver-
The ideal heat transfer rate is calculated with the consideration of gence criteria. From Eq. (25), it may be noted that the derivative
the entire fin surface maintaining at its base temperature. Mathe- terms oht/oBi, oht/oLR, oht/oa, ohc/oBi, ohc/oLR, ohc/oa, od/oBi, od/oLR
matically, the ideal heat transfer rate can be expressed as and od/oa are associated with this equation. These derivative values
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 259

can be determined a priori, differentiating equations (14)–(16) with results nor experimental values are available in the literature.
respect to respective variable, separately and then they are solved, Alternatively, it can be made with the numerical values. For the
simultaneously. The approximate root values for Newton–Raphson present problem, a finite difference scheme has been adopted for
method for any iteration can be obtained by using just previously the numerical results obtained through a numerical analysis. For
iterative values: the numerical scheme, difference equations are formulated by Tay-
0 1 0 1 0 1 lor Series Central difference scheme with fourth order of accuracy
Bijþ1 Bij f ðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ
and then they are solved simultaneously in the physical domain by
Bw C Bw C B C
B jþ1 C B j C 1 B g 1 ðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ C Gauss Seidel iterative method with satisfying their boundary con-
B C ¼ B C  JðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ B C ð26Þ
@ LRjþ1 A @ LRj A @ g 2 ðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ A ditions. The final result is obtained after satisfying both the neces-
ajþ1 aj g 3 ðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ sary and sufficient convergent conditions. Fig. 2 depicts the
temperature distribution in a fin of both flange and stem parts pre-
where, J denotes the Jacobian matrix which is defined as dicted by the present method and the numerical analysis. From the
0 1 result, it can be highlighted that the result obtained from both the
ð@f =@BiÞj ð@f =@wÞj ð@f =@LR Þj ð@f =@ aÞj
B ð@g =@BiÞ ð@g =@wÞ ð@g =@LR Þ ð@g =@ aÞ C methods are matched exactly whatever the nonlinearity effect on
B 1 j 1 j 1 j 1 jC the governing equation associated with an actual analysis has been
JðBij ; wj ; LRj ; aj Þ ¼ B C
@ ð@g 2 =@BiÞj ð@g 2 =@wÞj ð@g 2 =@LR Þj ð@g 2 =@ aÞj A considered. The effect of variable thermal conductivity and heat
ð@g 3 =@BiÞj ð@g 3 =@wÞj ð@g 3 =@LR Þj ð@g 3 =@ aÞj transfer coefficient on the surface temperature of a fractal fin is
ð27Þ also understood with the help of this figure by plotting the result
obtained from the published model. In this standpoint, it can be
The subscript ‘‘j” denotes the j-th iteration value. For the numerical mentioned that the published model demonstrates the perfor-
calculation, the sufficient conditions written below for convergence mance analysis of fractal fins with the assumption of constant ther-
should be satisfied at each step of iteration: mophysical properties. However, in practical applications, it may
not be satisfied. For the consideration of actual analysis, fin surface
Maxfx1 ; x2 ; x3 ; x4 g < 1 ð28Þ
temperature is always lower appreciably in comparison with those
where the mathematical expressions for x1, x2, x3 and x4 can be values obtained from the analysis of constant thermophysical
expressed in a matrix notation as parameters which is executed in Fig. 2.
0 1 0 1 Fig. 3 is drawn to show the effect of base temperature and ambi-
x1 j@ r1 =@Bijj þ j@ r2 =@Bijj þ j@ r3 =@Bijj þ j@ r4 =@Bijj
ent temperature on the dimensionless temperature distribution in
B x C B j@ r1 =@wj þ j@ r2 =@wj þ j@ r3 =@wj þ j@ r4 =@wj C
B 2C B j j j j C both part of the fin. It is of interest to mention that the dimension-
B C¼B C ð29Þ
@ x3 A @ j@ r1 =@LR jj þ j@ r2 =@LR jj þ j@ r3 =@LR jj þ j@ r4 =@LR jj A less temperature distribution does not depend upon the variation
x4 j@ r1 =@ ajj þ j@ r2 =@ ajj þ j@ r3 =@ ajj þ j@ r4 =@ ajj of above temperatures for the assumption of constant thermophys-
0 1 0 1 ical parameters considered in the analysis. However from the pres-
r1 Bi  Det n1 =Det J
B r C B w  Det n =Det J C ent study, it has shown a slightly dependent function. It can also be
B 2C B 2 C noted that an increase in base temperature decreases the dimen-
B C¼B C ð30Þ
@ r3 A @ LR  Det n3 =Det J A sionless temperature whereas an effect of ambient temperature
r4 a  Det n4 =Det J shows it is a reversed trend. From the figure it can also be observed
0 1 that the base temperature has a little effect on dimensionless tem-
f @f =@w @f =@LR @f =@ a
B g @g =@w @g =@L @g =@ a C perature throughout the axial length in flange part of the fin but in
B R C
n1 ¼ B 1 1 1 1
C ð31Þ the stem part it has no such effect after a certain distance from the
@ g 2 @g 2 =@w @g 2 =@LR @g 2 =@ a A
junction. It is also clear that there is no such appreciable effect of
g 3 @g 3 =@w @g 3 =@LR @g 3 =@ a ambient temperature on temperature distribution in both parts
0 1
@f =@Bi f @f =@LR @f =@ a of the fin. In general, with the increase in both base and ambient
B @g =@Bi g @g =@L @g =@ a C temperatures the dimensional surface temperature increases. On
B R C
n2 ¼ B 1 1 1 1
C ð32Þ the other hand, dimensionless temperature is defined in such a
@ @g 2 =@Bi g 2 @g 2 =@LR @g 2 =@ a A
way that an increment of ambient temperature or base tempera-
@g 3 =@Bi g 3 @g 3 =@LR @g 3 =@ a ture decreases or increases the dimensionless temperature. From
0 1
@f =@Bi @f =@w f @f =@ a
B @g =@Bi @g =@w g @g =@ a C
B C
n3 ¼ B 1 1 1 1
C ð33Þ
@ @g 2 =@Bi @g 2 =@w g 2 @g 2 =@ a A 1.0
Present Analysis
@g 3 =@Bi @g 3 =@w g 3 @g 3 =@ a Published Analysis [5]
Numerical Method
and
0.8 0
T1=90 C
0 1
@f =@Bi @f =@w @f =@LR f 0
Ta=30 C
B @g =@Bi @g =@w @g =@L g1 C ψ=0.1 Stem
B R C
n4 ¼ B 1 1 1
C ð34Þ 0.6
LR=0.5
@ @g 2 =@Bi @g 2 =@w @g 2 =@LR g2 A
θ

α=0.5
Bi=0.005 λ=-0.001
@g 3 =@Bi @g 3 =@w @g 3 =@LR g3 n=0.04
λ=0
The above procedures are repeated till the geometrical roots Bi, 0.4 n=0 Flange
w, LR and a are obtained to the desired accuracy (106).

4. Results and discussion 0.2

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X, Y
Based on the above analysis, results have been taken for a wide
range of thermogeometric parameters. Validation of the present Fig. 2. Comparison of results for temperature distributions predicted by different
result is not possible directly because neither existing theoretical methods of analysis.
260 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

(A) 1.0 n=0.04

(A) 1.0
0
T1=60 C
0 T1=90 C
0.9 0
Ta=30 C 0 0.9 Ta=30 C
0
T1=90 C
ψ=0.1 ψ=0.1
0.8 LR=0.5 0.8 LR=0.5
α=0.5 α=0.5 λ=-0.005
0.7
Bi=0.005 Stem 0.7 Bi=0.005 Stem
λ=-0.001 n=0.04 λ=0
0.6
0.6

θ
θ

0.5 λ=0.005
0.5
0.4 Flange
Flange
λ=0.005
0.4
0.3 λ=0

0.2 0.3
λ=-0.005
0.1 0.2
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X, Y X, Y

(B) 1.0 (B) 1.0

0
n=0.04 T1=90 C n=0.04
0 Ta=40 C
0 0.9 0
Ta=30 C n=0.2
0.9 T1=90 C
0
ψ=0.1 Ta=20 C ψ=0.1
0.8
0.8 LR=0.5 LR=0.5
α=0.5 0.7 α=0.5
0.7 Bi=0.005 Bi=0.005
λ=-0.001K
-1 Stem 0.6 λ=-0.001 Stem

θ
0.6
θ

0.5
0.5 0.4 Flange

0.4 Flange 0.3

0.3 0.2

0.2 0.1
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X, Y X, Y

Fig. 3. Effects of base and ambient temperature on the dimensionless temperature Fig. 4. The effect of variable thermophysical properties on the temperature
distribution in a T-shaped fin: (A) variation of base temperature and (B) variation of distribution in a T-shaped fin: (A) variation of variable thermal conductivity
ambient temperature. parameter and (B) variation of variable heat transfer coefficient parameter.

the graph, it can also be mentioned that the rate of decrease in
temperature in the stem is substantially more in comparison with
that in the flange.
The effects of variable thermophysical parameters considered in
the present study on nondimensional temperature distribution
along the length are shown in Fig. 4. Thermal conductivity of a me-
tal depends upon the temperature. In most of the metals, thermal
conductivity decreases with the increase in temperature. However,
in the case of aluminum and some alloys, thermal conductivity in-
creases with an increasing temperature. Fig. 4A is prepared with
the consideration of the above fact. In comparison, temperature
distribution obtained from the published model is plotted in the
same figure. From this figure, it can be mentioned that the temper-
ature distribution for variable thermal conducting fins differs from
that for constant thermal conducting fin material. The temperature
distribution in the case of increment of thermal conductivity with
the temperature is over value with respect to that for considering
constant conductivity. An under value of temperature is noticed in
the case of decreasing thermal conductivity with the temperature
due to increase in conducting resistance. This difference in temper-
ature is found due to different conducting resistance occurred in
respective cases. In addition, it is to mention that the dimension-
less temperature rises at a faster rate in the stem when the variable
thermal conductivity parameter k decreases. The effect of index of
variable heat transfer coefficient on the temperature distribution is
also shown in Fig. 4B. It may also be noted that the index of vari-
able heat transfer coefficient has a greater effect on temperature
distribution. The surface temperature decreases when this index
increases. This observation can be explained in the following way
that an increase in n decreases the convective resistance as a result
fin surface temperature decreases.
The effect of thermogeometric parameters on the fin surface
temperature has been envisioned by plotting Fig. 5. From Fig. 5A,
it can be demonstrated that the increase in geometrical parameter
a on the temperature distribution gives a lower fin surface temper-
ature in the stem whereas a higher temperature is noticed in the
major part of the flange. This is due to increase in conducting resis-
tance in the stem and consequently decrease in conducting resis-
tance in the flange. However, the thickness ratio a has a greater
effect on temperature distribution in flange part. The influence of
aspect ratio w of stem on the temperature profile is shown in
Fig. 5B. The increase in geometrical parameter w indicating either
increasing base thickness or decreasing the length of the stem. For
both the cases, conducting resistance in the stem decreases as a
result variation of temperature in the stem reduces. However in
the flange, an identical nature of temperature variation is observed
for different w values. Fig. 5C depicts the variation of fin surface
temperature with the thermophysical parameter Bi. Due to in-
crease in thermal resistance by increasing Bi, the fin surface tem-
perature declines in the stem as well as in the flange. An ideal
temperature variation can be obtained by taking Bi value
approaching zero.
The fin performance obtained from the present model as a
function of Bi is depicted in Fig. 6. The fin performance decreases
with the increase in Bi. This variation can be understood from
Fig. 5C. With an increase in Bi, the variation of temperature in
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 261

(A) 1.0
n=0.04 (B) 1.2
n=0.04
α=0.2 ψ=0.2
0.9
0
T1=90 C 1.1 0
T1=90 C ψ=0.1
α=1.0
ψ=0.1 LR=0.5 Stem
1.0
0.8 LR=0.5 α=0.5
0
0
Ta=30 C 0.9 Ta=30 C
0.7 Bi=0.005 Bi=0.005
Stem 0.8 -1
λ=-0.001K
-1 λ=-0.001K
0.6 0.7

θ
0.5 0.6
0.5 Flange
0.4 Flange
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2 0.2
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X, Y X, Y

(C) 1.0
n=0.04
0
Bi=0.004
0.9 T1=90 C Bi=0.005
LR=0.5
0.8 α=0.5
0
Ta=30 C
Stem
0.7 ψ=0.1
-1
λ=-0.001K
0.6
θ

0.5
Flange
0.4

0.3

0.2
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
X, Y

Fig. 5. Effects of thermogeometric parameters on the temperature distribution in a T-shaped fin: (A) variation of a; (B) variation of w and (C) variation of Bi.

the whole fin surface increases which declines the fin perfor-
mance. In comparison, the published result determined with the
consideration of constant thermal conductivity and heat transfer
coefficient is plotted in the same figure. A difference in perfor-
mances has been found. However, this difference gradually in-
creases with the increase in Bi. Moreover, the present model
predicts the fin performances an under value for a design con-
stant Bi. It is of interest to mention that this difference diminishes
for Bi going to zero. It is an expected observation because the
entire surface is maintained to its base temperature for a very
low value of Bi. As there is no variation of fin surface temperature
under this condition, the present and published model give an
identical result.
Fig. 7 shows the effect of base and ambient temperatures on the
fin performances. From this figure, it is clear that a higher base
temperature gives a lower fin performance. It may be an expected
observation because variation of temperature in a fin increases
with increasing the base temperature. This declining fin perfor-
mance shows almost a linear in nature with the base temperature.
The dependency of ambient temperature on the fin performance is
exhibited clearly in this figure. For a constant base temperature, an
increment in ambient temperature causes decrease in temperature
variation in the fin as a result fin performances increase. In com-
parison of the merit of the present work, published results have
also been plotted in the same figure. From the published result,
it can be demonstrated that the fin performance does not depend
upon the fin base and ambient temperatures and published result
shows always an over forecasted value in comparison with that
from the present model.
The influence of the geometrical parameters LR and a on the fin
performances is investigated in Fig. 8. The results are also com-
pared with that from the published model. The efficiency and
effectiveness are always lower values with respect to the published
model values. It is clear from the figure that efficiency increases if
LR decreases for both models of predictions. The effect of LR on the
fin performance dominates for high values of a. Again for variation
of a, fin performance changes. The variation of fin performance
with a is a strong incremental function at the lower value of a
whereas this dependency in nature gradually decreases with the
increase in a. In other words, for a particular set of other thermo-
geometric values, the thickness ratio a does not have significant
impact on fin performances for its higher values. The variation of
w on fin the performances is depicted in Fig. 9. The fin efficiency
increases if w increases as shown in Fig. 9A whereas a reverse trend
occurs for the effectiveness with the variation of the same variable.
With the increase in w, the temperature variation in the stem de-
creases because of that the fin efficiency increases. On the other
hand, the fin effectiveness decreases as shown in Fig. 9B with the
w due to increase in rate of heat transfer through the base area un-
der an unfinned condition with respect to the actual rate of heat
transfer through the fin.
In every fin design application, it is necessary to have knowl-
edge regarding the optimum design. Usually, the optimum design
information is determined for a design condition. Either heat trans-
fer rate or fin volume is a known design condition along with the
known thermophysical parameters involved in the design. Thus
the fin optimization has been made by maximizing the rate of heat
transfer for a given fin volume or minimizing fin volume for a
262 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

(A) 1.0 (A) 0.65

Published Model [5]
Present Model 0.60 LR=0.2
0.9
0
n=0.0 T1=90 C 0.55 Bi=0.005
λ=0.0 LR=0.5
0.8 0
T1=90 C
α=0.5 n=0.04 0
0 0.50 -1 Ta=30 C
Ta=30 C λ=-0.001 K

η
0.7 ψ=0.1
η

ψ=0.1
0.45
0.6 LR=0.6
n=0.04 0.40
-1
λ=-0.001 K Published Model [5]
0.5
0.35 Present Model

0.4 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

0.000 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005
Bi α

(B) 21
(B) 40 LR=0.6
Published Model [5] 20
Present Model Bi=0.005
0
35 19 T1=90 C
0
Ta=30 C
LR=0.2 ψ=0.1
18
30 n=0.0

ε
λ=0.0
17 LR=0.6
ε

n=0.04
25 -1 LR=0.2
0
T1=90 C λ=-0.001 K
16
LR=0.5
α=0.5 15 Published Model [5]
20 0
Ta=30 C n=0.04 Present Model
ψ=0.1 λ=-0.001 K
-1
14
15
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
0.000 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 α
Bi
Fig. 8. Fin performances as a function of the fin geometric parameters LR and a: (A)
Fig. 6. Comparison of fin performances obtained from the present and published fin efficiency and (B) fin effectiveness.
models plotted as a function of Bi: (A) fin efficiency and (B) fin effectiveness.

(A) 0.50
(A) 0.70

Published Model [5] 0.65

0.48 ψ=0.15
Present Model
0.60
Bi=0.005 Bi=0.005
LR=0.5 0
T1=90 C
n=0.04
η

0.46 α=0.5 0.55 0

0
λ=-0.001 K
-1 Ta=30 C
ψ=0.1
η

Ta=35 C
LR=0.5
0
0.50
Ta=20 C
0.44 ψ=0.1
0.45
n=0.04
-1
λ=-0.001 K Published Model [5]
0.40
Present Model
0.42
50 60 70 80 90 100 0.35
0 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
T1 ( C)
α

(B) 20.0
(B) 20
ψ=0.1
19.5 19
Published Model [5] ψ=0.15
19.0 Present Model 18
Bi=0.005 17
18.5 LR=0.5 ψ=0.15
0 ψ=0.1
Ta=35 C
α=0.5
ε

16
ε

18.0 Ta=20 C ψ=0.1 Bi=0.005

0
0
15 n=0.04 T1=90 C
-1 0
17.5 λ=-0.001 K Ta=30 C
n=0.04 14 LR=0.5
-1
17.0 λ=-0.001 K Published Model [5]
13
Present Model
16.5
50 60 70 80 90 100 12
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
0
T1 ( C) α

Fig. 7. Fin performances as a function of fin base and ambient temperatures: (A) fin Fig. 9. Fin performances as a function of w: (A) fin efficiency and (B) fin
efficiency and (B) fin effectiveness. effectiveness.
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 263

(A) 0.19
Present Model (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
-1

Published Model [5]

0.18 α=0.2

0.17

α=0.5
0
0.16 Ta=30 C

Q
0
T1=90 C
0.15 LR=0.5
U=0.0015

0.14 Loci of the maximum

α=1.0 heat transfer rate

0.13
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Ψ

(B) Published Model [5] (C) 15

-1 Published work [5]
Present Model (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K ) -1
0.8 14 Present work (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
Loci of an optimum Loci of an optimum
condition 13 condition
0.7
1 0
α=1.0
12 T =90 C
0
Ta=30 C
0.6
η

α=0.5
ε 11 LR=0.5
U=0.0015
0
T1=90 C 10
0.5 α=1.0
Ta=30 C
0
α=0.5
LR=0.5 9
0.4 U=0.0015 α=0.2
α=0.2 8

0.3 7
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
ψ ψ

Fig. 10. Fin design parameters as a function of both a and w for a design condition: (A) heat transfer rate; (B) fin efficiency and (C) fin effectiveness.

required heat transfer rate. Figs. 10 and 11 are drawn to establish
an optimum condition for the constraint fin volume.
The variation of fin design parameters with the variation of a
and w for a design condition is depicted in Fig. 10. It can be found
that thickness ratio has a huge impact on heat transfer rate as
shown in Fig. 10A. With the decrease in a, the heat transfer rate in-
creases up to an optimum a and then further a decrease in a de-
creases the heat transfer rate. Therefore, in every a value, there is
an optimum w at which the heat transfer rate through a fin be-
comes a maximum. This maximum heat transfer rate gradually in-
creases with the decrease in a value, and at a particular a and w
values, an optimum heat transfer rate is found for a constraint
fin volume. The same observation has been executed in the case
of published work also. From the figure, it can be highlighted that
an optimum a value is shown a very small value which may re-
strict in manufacturing the flange part. Therefore, another con-
straint may be necessary to impose along with the fin volume
during the analysis of an optimization of constructal fins. The var-
iation of fin performances with the variation of a and w for a design
constraint is shown in Fig. 10B and C. The increase in a value in-
creases both the efficiency and effectiveness. The fin efficiency at
an optimum condition is independent with the a and w values.
On the other hand at the optimum design condition, an increasing
effectiveness is obtained with the increase in a.
Fig. 11 shows the variation of design parameters with LR for a
design condition. From Fig. 11A it is clear that the heat transfer rate
can be increased by increasing LR for a constant fin volume and a.
The increase in LR increases the envelop size of fractal fins. Thus
from the design point of view, the optimization can be performed
with the constraint LR where space requirement is given more
priority instead of heat transfer rate, especially for electronic cool-
ing. Furthermore, with increase in LR, the optimum w value in-
creases. In the case of published work, the same nature of trend
has been seen however they are lower values in comparison with
the present study. The variation of fin performances with LR for
an optimum design condition is depicted in Fig. 11B and C. The
fin efficiency decreases with the increase in LR as shown in
Fig. 11B whereas the fin effectiveness increases with LR as illus-
trated in Fig. 11C. However, at an optimum condition, both the
fin efficiency and fin effectiveness do not change significantly with
the variation of LR.
From the above discussion of the optimization study, it is to
mention that the present optimization results have been taken
for a constraint a, LR and fin volume and these constraint values
are to be selected in a design for the consideration of fabrication.
The variation of fin design parameters with w for different con-
straint fin volumes has been employed in this figure. The published
results have also been plotted in the same figure for comparison.
From both present and published results, it can be mentioned from
Fig. 12 that with the variation of w for a constraint fin volume, heat
transfer rate increases initially with w, reaches to a maximum va-
lue for a particular w and then decreases with the further increase
in w. Therefore, there is an optimum value of w for which heat
transfer rate through the fin becomes a maximum. In comparison
with the published model result, the present result is always high-
er irrespective of w values. For a lower value of w, this difference is
marginal. However, its effect increases gradually with the increase
in w. Again a different optimum w value has been noticed while
they are obtained from the present and published model. The
optimum loci of w for the maximum heat transfer rate with the
264 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

(A) 0.19
Present Model (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
-1

Published Model [5]

0.18

LR=0.8
0.17

LR=0.5 0
Ta=30 C

Q
0.16
0
T1=90 C
α=0.5
0.15 U=0.0015
LR=0.2

0.14 Loci of the maximum

heat transfer rate

0.13
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Ψ

(B) 0.85 Published Model [5] (C) 15 Published work [5]

-1
Present Model (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K ) -1
0.80 14 Present work (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
Loci of an optimum 0
0.75 condition 13 T1=90 C
0
Ta=30 C
0.70
12 α=0.5
L R=0.2

0.65 U=0.0015
η

11

ε
0.60
LR=0.8
0.55 10
0
0.50 T1=90 C
0
9
0.45 LR=0.5 Ta=30 C
α=0.5 8 Loci of an optimum
0.40 LR=0.2
U=0.0015
LR=0.8 condition LR=0.5
0.35 7
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
ψ ψ

Fig. 11. Fin design parameters as a function of both LR and w for a design condition: (A) heat transfer rate; (B) fin efficiency and (C) fin effectiveness.

(A) 0.20
Present Model
Published Model [5]
0.19 -1
(n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
U=0.002

0.18

0.17 0
T1=90 C
0.16 α=0.5
Q

LR=0.5
U=0.0015 Ta=30 C
0
0.15

0.14

0.13 U=0.001 Loci of the maximum

heat transfer rate
0.12
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
Ψ

(B) 0.8 (C) 16

U=0.001 Published Model [5]
Loci of an optimum 15 U=0.001 Present Model
-1
0.7 condition (n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
14
Loci of an optimum
13 condition
U=0.002

0.6 U=0.0015 0
12 T1=90 C
0
T1=90 C α=0.5
ε
η

α=0.5 11 LR=0.5
0.5 LR=0.5 0
Ta=30 C
Ta=30 C
0 10
U=0.0015
9
0.4
Published Model [5]
Present Model 8 U=0.002
-1
(n=0.04; λ=-0.001K )
0.3 7
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
ψ ψ

Fig. 12. Variation of fin design parameters with w for different constraint fin volumes: (A) Heat transfer rate; (B) Fin efficiency; and (C) Fin effectiveness.
 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267 265

(A) 0
T1=90 C
α=0.5
LR=0.5 Loci of the maximum
U=0.0015 heat transfer rate

0
Present Model (Ta=20 C)
0
Present Model (Ta=30 C)
Published Model [5]

Q
0.16
An optimum
point

n=0.04 n=0
-1 λ=0
λ=-0.001K

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

Ψ

(B) 0.8
Published Model [5] (C) 14
0 Published work [5]
Present Model (Ta=30 C) 0
0 13 Present work (Ta=30 C)
Present Model (Ta=20 C) 0
0.7 Present work (Ta=20 C)
12 0
n=0 T1=90 C
λ=0 α=0.5
0.6 n=0 11 LR=0.5
η

λ=0
U=0.0015

ε
Loci of an optimum 10
condition n=0.04
0.5 -1
T1=90 C
0
9 λ=-0.001K
n=0.04 α=0.5
-1
λ=-0.001K LR=0.5 8
0.4 Loci of an optimum
U=0.0015 condition
7
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
ψ ψ

Fig. 13. Effects of ambient temperature on the fin design parameters: (A) heat transfer rate; (B) fin efficiency and (C) fin effectiveness.

fin volume increases and this variation is almost a straight line. For
a constant fin volume, fin efficiency increases with the geometrical
parameter w as shown in Fig. 12B. An increase in fin volume de-
creases the fin efficiency for the constant w. The fin efficiency is
independent on the variation of fin volume for an optimum condi-
tion. The variation of fin effectiveness with the w for a constant fin
volume is depicted in Fig. 12C. From the graph, it is to mention that
the fin effectiveness declines with the w for a constant fin volume.
The increment of fin volume decreases the fin effectiveness. The fin
effectiveness at an optimum condition decreases with the increase
in fin volume. From the fin performance graph, it can be high-
lighted that the present result is always lower than the published
value for a constant fin volume and w.
To investigate the influence of ambient temperature on the fin
design parameters with the variation of w is shown in Fig. 13. From
the figure it can be understandable that the heat transfer rate in-
creases with the decrease in ambient temperature. However, the
effect of ambient temperature on the heat transfer rate is shown
marginally. The optimum value w increases slightly with the ambi-
ent temperature. In comparison, results furnished from the pub-
lished model investigated with the assumption of constant
thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient is done and
there is no influence of ambient temperature on the heat transfer
rate noticed. From Fig. 13A, it can be mentioned that the optimum
w from the present model is higher than that obtained from the
published model. The effect of ambient temperature on the fin per-
formance with the variation of w for a constant fin volume is illus-
trated in Fig. 13B and C. The fin efficiency and fin effectiveness
increase marginally with the ambient temperature. From the re-
sult, it may be noted that the variation of fin performance with
the variation of ambient temperature gives reasonably smaller
than that variation obtained with geometrical parameter w.
Fig. 14 depicts the effect of base temperature on the fin design
parameters with the variation of w. From the published model it
can be pointed out that the dimensionless heat transfer rate does
not dependent upon the base temperature. However in the present
analysis, it depends slightly upon the base temperature. For the ini-
tial variation of w, the dimensionless heat transfer rate decreases
with the increase in base temperature. At an optimum condition,
the optimum dimensionless heat transfer rate remains constant
with the base temperature. With the increase in w from its opti-
mum value, the dimensionless heat transfer rate increases for an
increase in base temperature. The base temperature effect on the
dimensionless heat transfer rate becomes dominate for a high va-
lue of w. An increase in base temperature on the fin performances
is shown in Fig. 14B and C. A decrease in fin performances is no-
ticed for an increase in base temperature due to increase in tem-
perature variation in the fin from base to tip. The fin efficiency at
an optimum condition does not change with the variation of base
temperature whereas fin effectiveness at an optimum condition
decreases slowly with the base temperature.
5. Conclusions
The present work establishes an analytical model for determi-
nation of performance and optimization parameters of a construc-
tal fin subject to variable thermophysical parameters. A variable
thermal conductivity of the fin material and heat transfer coeffi-
cient is considered for the actual case study. For this adaptation,
the differential equations of a constructal fin become nonlinear
which can not be solved by a conventional analytical technique.
A new technique pursued by the Adomian decomposition method
is employed for the solution of this nonlinear equation. As the
266 B. Kundu, D. Bhanja / International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 53 (2010) 254–267

(A) Ta=30 C
0

α=0.5
LR=0.5 Loci of the maximum
U=0.0015 heat transfer rate

0
Present Model (T1=70 C)
0
Present Model (T1=100 C)
Published Model [5]

Q
0.16
An optimum
point

n=0.04 n=0
-1 λ=0
λ=-0.001K

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

Ψ

(B) 0.8
Published Model [5]
(C) 14
0
Published work [5]
Present Model (T1=70 C) 0
0 13 Present work (T1=70 C)
Present Model (T1=100 C) 0
0.7 Present work (T1=100 C)
12 0
Ta=30 C
n=0
λ=0 α=0.5
n=0
0.6 11 LR=0.5
λ=0
η

U=0.0015
Loci of an optimum
condition
ε 10
0.5 n=0.04
-1
Ta=30 C
0 9 λ=-0.001K
n=0.04
-1 α=0.5
λ=-0.001K LR=0.5 8
0.4 Loci of an optimum
U=0.0015 condition
7
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
ψ ψ

Fig. 14. Effects of base temperature on the fin design parameters: (A) heat transfer rate; (B) fin efficiency and (C) fin effectiveness.

present model is analytical, it is extended to analyze the optimiza-
tion study easily. The optimization has been demonstrated in a
generalized way so that either the fin volume or the heat transfer
rate can be taken as a constraint. From the present study, the
following concluding remarks can be drawn:
1. Unlike previous study, the performance of a constructal fin
depends upon the base and ambient temperature. The increase
in base temperature decreases the fin performance. However,
the fin performance increases with the increase in ambient
temperature.
2. A significant difference in fin performance is obtained when the
present result has been compared with that of the published
model irrespective of any design parameter selected. In every
design case, fin performance predicted by the present model
gives an under value.
3. The fin efficiency decreases by increasing the geometrical
parameter LR whereas an increase in fin effectiveness is shown
with the same variation.
4. An increment of aspect ratio of stem w increases the fin effi-
ciency and decreases the fin effectiveness. However, both the
fin efficiency and fin effectiveness increase with the geometrical
parameter a.
5. There is an optimum a for which heat transfer rate becomes a
maximum. However, the optimum value of a is very small as
a result manufacturing the flange part may become difficult.
To avoid this, an additional constraint a may be adopted in
the optimization analysis. The fin efficiency at an optimum con-
dition with a constant fin volume and LR does not depend signif-
icantly upon the a. On the other hand, fin effectiveness
increases gradually with the constraint a.
6. With the increase in LR, the maximum heat transfer rate
increases and at the same time, envelop size of a constructal
fin increases. For a restriction of space, LR can be taken as a
constraint. The increase in constraint LR increases the optimum
value of w also. The effect of LR on both the fin efficiency and fin
effectiveness at the optimum design condition is negligibly
small.
7. An increase in fin volume increases both maximum heat trans-
fer rate and optimum aspect ratio w. For high value of w, differ-
ence in heat transfer rate between the present and published
models are obtained which is an increasing function with w.
8. The influence on base and ambient temperatures on the dimen-
sionless heat transfer rate determined by the present model at
an optimum condition is negligibly small. On the other hand,
this effect is impendent which was mentioned in published
work. However, there is a huge difference existed between
present and published results for a design condition.
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