Exact Closed-Form Solution of the Nonlinear Fin Problem With Temperature-Dependent Thermal Conductivity and Heat Transfer Coefficient

Abstract

In the current paper, the nonlinear fin problem with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient is revisited. In this problem, it has been assumed that the heat transfer coefficient is expressed in a power-law form and the thermal conductivity is a linear function of temperature. It is shown that its governing nonlinear differential equation is exactly solvable. A full discussion and exact analytical solution in the implicit form are 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, and the solutions are dual depending on the values of the parameters of the model. Furthermore, we give exact analytical expressions of fin efficiency as a function of thermogeometric fin parameter.