Exact closed-form unique and dual solutions to the longitudinal fin with temperature-dependent properties and internal heat generation

Abstract

In this study, heat transfer in a longitudinal rectangular fin with temperature-dependent thermal properties and internal heat generation is revisited. The advanced heat transfer models have been used to study the effects of thermo-geometric parameters, coefficient of heat transfer, and thermal conductivity parameters on the temperature distribution, heat transfer, and thermal performance of the longitudinal rectangular fin. It is shown that its governing nonlinear differential equation with proper boundary conditions is exactly solvable. With this aim, we reduce the order of the differential equation to first and then convert it into a total differential equation by multiplying by a convenient integrating factor. A full discussion and exact analytical solution in the implicit form is given for further physical interpretation and it is proved that three possible cases may occur: there is no solution to the problem, the solution is unique, or the solutions are dual, depending on the values of the parameters of the model.