ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF A HETEROGENEOUS PIN FIN WITH EXPONENTIAL SHAPE, INTERNAL HEAT GENERATION, AND TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT PROPERTIES

Abstract

This study focuses on an exponentially shaped nonhomogeneous pin fin (NHPF) exposed to simultaneous heat convection, conduction, radiation, and volumetric heat generation. The thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient, emissivity, and heat generation rate are assumed to be both position and temperature dependent. The resulting heat transfer equation (HTE) is highly nonlinear and is analytically solved using the variational iteration method (VIM). After achieving an optimal design for the PF, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of nonhomogeneity and thermal parameters, considering variations in the physical properties of the NHPF. The accuracy of the VIM results is validated by comparing them with those obtained from the finite volume method (FVM). The obtained results include fin efficiency, fin effectiveness, fin temperature, and heat transfer rates at the base and lateral surfaces of the NHPF. It is observed that the utilization of a heterogeneous material significantly impacts both convective and radiative heat transfers.