Heat Transfer Lectures

Chemical Engineering Department

University of Technology, Iraq

Extended Surfaces (Fin)

In heat-exchanger applications, a finned-tube arrangement might be used to remove heat
from a hot liquid. The heat transfer from the liquid to the finned tube is by convection. The heat is
conducted through the material and finally dissipated to the surroundings by convection.
Obviously, an analysis of combined conduction-convection systems is very important from a
practical standpoint. Consider the one-dimensional fin exposed to a surrounding fluid at a
temperature T∞ as shown in Figure 1. The temperature of the base of the fin is To.

h, T∞

𝒅𝒒𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒗. = 𝒉𝑨ሗሺ𝑻 − 𝑻∞ ሻ

To qx T qx+dx TL
Z
dx
L
x
Base

Figure 1: Schematic diagram illustrating one-dimensional conduction and convection through a rectangular fin

We approach the problem by making an energy balance at steady state operating conditions
on an element of the fin of thickness dx as shown in the figure. Thus

Assumptions:
• Steady-state conditions.
• One-dimensional conduction along the fin
• Constant thermal conductivity.
• Negligible radiation exchange with surroundings.

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𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 + 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑞𝑥 = 𝑞𝑥+𝑑𝑥 + ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕
𝑞𝑥 = 𝑞𝑥 + ሺ𝑞 ሻ𝑑𝑥 + ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥
𝜕
𝑞𝑥 − 𝑞𝑥 − ሺ𝑞 ሻ𝑑𝑥 = ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥
𝜕
− ሺ𝑞 ሻ𝑑𝑥 = ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥
𝜕𝑇
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑞𝑥 = −𝑘𝐴 , 𝐹𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 ′ 𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤, 𝐵𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑤𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛
𝜕𝑥
𝜕 𝜕𝑇
− (−𝑘𝐴 ) 𝑑𝑥 = ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜕2𝑇
+𝑘𝐴 𝑑𝑥 = ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ (1)
𝜕𝑥 2
ሗ + 2𝑏ሻ𝑑𝑥
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐴ሗ = 𝑃𝑑𝑥 = ሺ2𝑍

𝜕2𝑇
𝑘𝐴 𝑑𝑥 = ℎ 𝑃𝑑𝑥ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕2𝑇
𝑘𝐴 2 = ℎ𝑃 ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥
𝜕2𝑇 ℎ𝑃
2
= ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ (2)
𝜕𝑥 𝑘𝐴
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞

By taking 1St derivative for the above equation, we obtain

𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑇
=
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
By taking 2ed derivative for the above equation, we obtain
𝜕2𝜃 𝜕2𝑇
=
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕𝜃 𝜕2 𝜃
By substituting the 𝜕𝑥 and 𝜕𝑥 2 into Eq. 2, we obtain

𝜕2𝜃 ℎ𝑃
2
= 𝜃 (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝑘𝐴
ℎ𝑃
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑚2 =
𝑘𝐴

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Where
h: heat transfer coefficient, W/m2. oC
P: perimeter of rectangular fin (2Z+2b), m
k: thermal conductivity of the fin, W/m. oC
A: cross-sectional area of the rectangular fin (bZ), m2
𝜕2𝜃
= 𝑚2 𝜃
𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕2𝜃
− 𝑚2 𝜃 = 0 (4)
𝜕𝑥 2
The above equation (i.e., Eq.4) is a linear, homogeneous, second order differential equation
with constant coefficients. Its general solution is of the form

𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)

or

𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐴 cosh 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐵 sinh 𝑚𝑥

𝐴+𝐵 𝐴−𝐵
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐶1 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶2 =
2 2

𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
sinh 𝑚𝑥 =
2

𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
cosh 𝑚𝑥 =
2

To evaluate the constants 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 of Equation 5, it is necessary to specify appropriate

boundary conditions

One boundary condition is

𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0 ሺ𝑖. 𝑒. , 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛ሻ, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

The other boundary condition depends on the physical situation of the fin. Several cases may be
considered:

Case 1: The fin is of finite length and loses heat by convection from its end. Thus

𝐵. 𝐶. 2, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝐿 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝐿 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝐿
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Case 2: The fin is very long, and the temperature at the end of the fin is essentially that of the
surrounding fluid. Thus

𝐵. 𝐶. 3, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = ∞, 𝑇 = 𝑇∞ ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇∞ − 𝑇∞ = 0

Case 3: The end of the fin is insulated. Thus

𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 4, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, = =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥

Case 4: The end of the fin is losing heat by convection. Thus

𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 5, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝐴𝜃𝐿 ⇒ −𝑘 | = ℎ𝜃𝐿
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿

To find the temperature distribution for the rectangular fin, we need to find the C1 and
C2. Therefore, we will use the above boundary conditions to find that. So, let us start from the
general solution as follows:

𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)

By substituting B.C1 into Eq 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜃𝑜 = 𝐶1 𝑒ሺ0ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒−ሺ0ሻ = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2

𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 (6)
By substituting B.C.3 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 3, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = ∞, 𝑇 = 𝑇∞ ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇∞ − 𝑇∞ = 0

𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝐶2 0
0 = 𝐶1 𝑒 ∞ + 𝐶2 𝑒 −∞ ⇒ 0 = 𝐶1 𝑒 ∞ + +∞
⇒ 0 = 𝐶1 𝑒 ∞ + 0 ⇒ 𝐶1 = ∞ = 0
𝑒 𝑒

By substituting the value of 𝐶1 into Eq. 6, we obtain

𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 0 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶2 = 𝜃𝑜

Now by substituting the values of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 into the general solution equation (Eq.5), we obtain

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𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = ሺ0ሻ𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
Therefore, we obtain
𝜃 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝜃 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ℎ𝑝
−√ 𝑥
= 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 = = 𝑒 𝑘𝐴 (7)
𝜃𝑜 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞
Note: Eq.7 represents the temperature distribution in the fin. This temperature distribution was
obtained by using B.C.1 and B.C.3. Therefore, the temperature distribution will be different if we
use different boundary conditions. We will see that in the next section.

Now let us see what the temperature distribution will be if we use the 1st and 2 nd boundary
conditions (Case 1).
So let us start with the general solution
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)
By substituting B.C1 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜃𝑜 = 𝐶1 𝑒ሺ0ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒−ሺ0ሻ = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2

𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 (6)
By substituting B.C.2 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 2, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝐿 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝐿 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝐿
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒−𝑚𝐿

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2
𝜃𝐿 = ሺ𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ሻ𝑒𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒−𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝐿 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒−𝑚𝐿

𝐶2 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿
ሺ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሻ𝐶2 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿

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𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿
𝐶2 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
By substituting the C2 into Eq. 6, we obtain
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿
𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 −
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿
𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 −
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝜃𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Now by substituting the values of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 into the general solution equation (Eq.5), we obtain

𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝐿
𝜃=( ) 𝑒 + ( ) 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 − 𝜃𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝜃=( )+( )
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝜃𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝜃=( )+( )
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝜃𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝜃=
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝐿 ሺ𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ሻ + 𝜃𝑜 ሺ𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ ሻ
𝜃= (8)
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Since
𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
sinh 𝑚𝑥 = (9)
2
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
sinh 𝑚𝐿 = (10)
2
𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ = (11)
2
By substituting Eqs. 9, 10, and 11 into Eq. 8, we obtain

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𝜃𝐿 ሺ2 sinh 𝑚𝑥ሻ + 𝜃𝑜 ሺ2 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሻ

𝜃=
2 sinh 𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝐿 sinh 𝑚𝑥 + 𝜃𝑜 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
𝜃= (12)
sinh 𝑚𝐿
Note: Eq.12 represents the temperature distribution in the fin. This temperature distribution was
obtained by using B.C.1 and B.C.2.
Now let us see what will be the temperature distribution of fin if we use the 1st and 4 th (Case 3)
boundary conditions.
So, let us start with the general solution
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)
By substituting B.C1 into Eq 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜃𝑜 = 𝐶1 𝑒ሺ0ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒−ሺ0ሻ = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2

𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 (6)
By substituting B.C.4 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 4, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, = =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
We need to find the first derivative for the temperature distribution
𝜕𝜃
= 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 ሺ𝑚ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜃
= 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (13)
𝜕𝑥
Now we can substitute B.C.4 into Eq. 13
𝜕𝜃
| = 0 = 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
0 = 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
(0 = 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒𝑚𝐿 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒−𝑚𝐿 ) ÷ 𝑚

0 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 (14)
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 14

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Chemical Engineering Department
University of Technology, Iraq

0 = ሺ𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ሻ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
0 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝐶2 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶2 ሺ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 +𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሻ
= 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
⇒ 𝐶2 = , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 6
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 −
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Now by substituting the values of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 in the general solution (Eq.5), we obtain

𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝜃=( )𝑒 + ( 𝑚𝐿 ) 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 +𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃 = ( 𝑚𝐿 ) + ( 𝑚𝐿 )
𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
𝜃 = ( 𝑚𝐿 ) + ( )
𝑒 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
𝜃=
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 (𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ )
𝜃= (15)
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Since

𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
cosh 𝑚𝐿 =
2

and

𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ =
2

Hence, Eq. 15 becomes as follows:

45 2018-2019
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𝜃𝑜 2 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
𝜃=
2 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= (16)
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿
Note: Eq.16 represents the temperature distribution in the fin. This temperature distribution was
obtained by using B.C.1 and B.C.4.
Now let us see what will be the temperature distribution of fin if we use the 1st and 5 th (Case 4)
boundary conditions.
So let us start with the general solution
𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)
By substituting B.C1 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜃𝑜 = 𝐶1 𝑒ሺ0ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒−ሺ0ሻ = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2

𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 (6)
By substituting B.C.2 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. 2, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝐿 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝐿 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝐿
𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒−𝑚𝐿 (17)
By substituting B.C.5 into Eq. 5, we obtain

𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 5, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝐴𝜃𝐿 ⇒ −𝑘 | = ℎ𝜃𝐿
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
−𝑘 𝜕𝜃
𝜃𝐿 = | (18)
ℎ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜃𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Hence, Eq. 17 becomes as follows:
−𝑘 𝜕𝜃
| = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 (19)
ℎ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
Now we need to find the first derivative for the general solution at x=L, and then we can submit
it into Eq. 19

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𝜃ሺ𝑥ሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜕𝜃
= 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 ሺ𝑚ሻ + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜃
= 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜃
| = 𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
By submitting the above equation into Eq. 19, we obtain
−𝑘 𝜕𝜃
| = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 (19)
ℎ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
−𝑘
[𝑚𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑚𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ] = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
ℎ
−𝑚𝑘 𝑚𝑘
[ 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ] = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
ℎ ℎ 2
𝑚𝑘 𝑚𝑘
𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝐶 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
ℎ ℎ 1
𝑚𝑘 𝑚𝑘
𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ( − 1) = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 (1 + )
ℎ ℎ
𝑚𝑘 − ℎ ℎ + 𝑚𝑘
𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ( ) = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 ( )
ℎ ℎ
𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሺ𝑚𝑘 − ℎሻ = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ
𝑚𝑘 − ℎ
( ) 𝐶 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 (20)
𝑚𝑘 + ℎ 2
𝑚𝑘 − ℎ
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑎 = ( ) , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 20, 𝑤𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑘 + ℎ
𝑎𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 (21)
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 , ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐸𝑞. 21 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠
𝑎𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = ሺ𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ሻ𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝑎𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝐶2 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶2 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶2 ሺ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሻ = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 ⇒ 𝐶2 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

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𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 − 𝐶2 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝜃𝑜 −
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 − 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝐶1 =
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
Now by substituting the values of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 in the general solution equation (Eq. 5), we obtain

𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (5)
𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑚𝑥
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿
𝜃 = ( 𝑚𝐿 ) 𝑒 + ( ) 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝑒 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥

𝜃 = ( 𝑚𝐿 ) + ( )
𝑒 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ

𝜃 = ( 𝑚𝐿 ) + ( )
𝑒 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝑎𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ

𝜃=
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜 (𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ )
𝜃=
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝜃 (𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ )
= (22)
𝜃𝑜 𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑎𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
𝑚𝑘 − ℎ
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑎 = ( ) , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 22
𝑚𝑘 + ℎ
𝑚𝑘 − ℎ −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
𝜃 𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + ( )𝑒
= 𝑚𝑘 + ℎ
𝜃𝑜 𝑚𝑘 − ℎ −𝑚𝐿
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + ( )𝑒
𝑚𝑘 + ℎ
ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + ሺ𝑚𝑘 − ℎሻ𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
𝜃 ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + ሺ𝑚𝑘 − ℎሻ𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ
𝜃 ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + ሺ𝑚𝑘 − ℎሻ𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 ሺ𝑚𝑘 + ℎሻ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + ሺ𝑚𝑘 − ℎሻ𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

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𝜃 𝑚𝑘𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + ℎ𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑚𝑘𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − ℎ𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ

=
𝜃𝑜 𝑚𝑘𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑚𝑘𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 − ℎ𝑒 −𝑚𝐿

𝜃 𝑚𝑘(𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ ) + ℎ(𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ )

= (23)
𝜃𝑜 𝑚𝑘ሺ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሻ + ℎሺ𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿 ሻ
Since

𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ + 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ =
2
𝑒 𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ − 𝑒 −𝑚ሺ𝐿−𝑥ሻ
sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ =
2
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 + 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
cosh 𝑚𝐿 =
2
𝑒 𝑚𝐿 − 𝑒 −𝑚𝐿
sinh 𝑚𝐿 =
2
Hence, Eq. 23 becomes
𝜃 𝑚𝑘ሺ2 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሻ + ℎሺ2 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 𝑚𝑘ሺ2 cosh 𝑚𝐿ሻ + ℎሺ2 sinh 𝑚𝐿ሻ
ℎ
𝜃 2𝑚𝑘 [cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ + sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ]
= 𝑚𝑘
𝜃𝑜 ℎ
2𝑚𝑘 [cosh 𝑚𝐿 + sinh 𝑚𝐿]
𝑚𝑘
ℎ
𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ + sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= 𝑚𝑘 (24)
𝜃𝑜 ℎ
cosh 𝑚𝐿 + sinh 𝑚𝐿
𝑚𝑘
Note: Eq.24 represents the temperature distribution in the fin. This temperature distribution was
obtained by using B.C.1 and B.C.5 (Case 4).

Calculation Heat Transfer Rate for Extended Surfaces (Fin)

The heat transfer rate for extended surface (fin) can be calculated as follows:
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝑨ሗ ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
For example, we have the following temperature distribution

49 2018-2019
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𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= (2)
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿
Therefore, we need to find the first derivative of the given temperature distribution at x=0

𝜃𝑜
𝜃= cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 𝜃𝑜
= sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 0ሻ
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚𝐿
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿 (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
By substituting Eq. 3 into Eq. 1, we obtain
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴ሺ−𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿ሻ

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿

ℎ𝑝
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑚 = √
𝑘𝐴

Efficiency of the extended surface (fin)

To indicate the effectiveness of a fin in transferring a given quantity of heat, a new
parameter called fin efficiency is defined by

𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒

𝐹𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝜂𝑓 =
ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑑
𝑖𝑓 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 ሺ𝑇𝑜 ሻ

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𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 |
𝑞𝑓 ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜂𝑓 = = =
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎ𝐴ሗሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 | −𝑘𝐴
|
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜂𝑓 = =
ℎ𝑨ሗሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎሺ𝑃𝐿ሻሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 (1)
𝜂𝑓 =
ℎሺ𝑃𝐿ሻሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
For example, calculate the fin efficiency when the temperature distribution as follows:
𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= (2)
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿
Since

𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 (1)
𝜂𝑓 =
ℎሺ𝑃𝐿ሻሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
Therefore, we need to find the first derivative of the given temperature distribution (Eq. 2) at x=0
𝜃𝑜
𝜃= cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 𝜃𝑜
= sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 0ሻ
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚𝐿
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿 , sub. into Eq. 1
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 +𝑘𝐴 𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿
𝜂𝑓 = =
ℎ𝑃𝐿𝜃𝑜 ℎ𝑃𝐿𝜃𝑜

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𝑘𝐴 𝑚 tanh 𝑚𝐿 𝑚 tanh 𝑚𝐿
𝜂𝑓 = =
ℎ𝑃𝐿 ℎ𝑃 (3)
𝐿
𝑘𝐴
Since

ℎ𝑃 ℎ𝑃
𝑚=√ ⇒ 𝑚2 =
𝐾𝐴 𝐾𝐴

Therefore, Eq. 3 becomes

𝑚 tanh 𝑚𝐿 tanh 𝑚𝐿
𝜂𝑓 = =
𝑚2 𝐿 𝑚𝐿
Effectiveness of fin, 𝜺𝒇
Recall that fins are used to increase the heat transfer from a surface by increasing the
effective surface area. However, the fin itself represents a conduction resistance to heat transfer
from the original surface. For this reason, there is no assurance that the heat transfer rate will be
increased through the use of fins. An assessment of this matter may be made by evaluating the fin
effectiveness as follows:
fin heat transfer rate
Fin effectiveness, 𝜀𝑓 =
heat transfer rate that would exist without the fin
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 | −𝑘 |
ℎ 𝐴ሗ ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜀𝑓 = = =
ℎ𝐴ሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎ𝐴ሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎ𝜃𝑜
Example 1: A longitudinal fin on the outside of a wall is 75 mm height and 3 mm thick. If the
wall surface is at 400 K. Calculate the heat dissipated per meter length from the fin to the
atmosphere at 290 K. The heat transfer coefficient from its surface may be assumed constant at 5
w/m2. K, the thermal conductivity for the fin material is 50 W/m. K .The heat loss from the extreme
edge of the fin may be neglected. Derive any formula you may use.
Solution:
Assumptions:
• Steady-state conditions.
• One-dimensional conduction along the fin
• Constant thermal conductivity.
• Negligible radiation exchange with surroundings.
• The end of the fin is insulated

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h=5 W/m2. K,
T∞=290 K
k=50 W/m. K

b=3 mm

To=400 K

L=75 mm

x
Base

By starting from the general solution

𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 4, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, | = | =0
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
By substituting the above boundary conditions in the general solution, we obtain
𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝑨ሗ ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | (1)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
Now we need to find the first derivative for the given temperature distribution at x=0, and then
we will submit in Eq. 1
𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿
𝜃𝑜
𝜃= cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚𝐿

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𝜕𝜃 𝜃𝑜
= sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿
𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 0ሻ
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿
𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚𝐿
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿
𝜕𝜃
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿 , sub. into Eq. 1
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴ሺ−𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿ሻ

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿

ℎ𝑃
𝑚=√
𝑘𝐴

𝜃𝑜 = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 400 − 290 = 110 𝐾

𝑃 = 2𝑍 + 2𝑏 = 2ሺ1ሻ + 2ሺ0.003ሻ = 2.006 𝑚

𝐴 = 𝑏𝑍 = 0.003ሺ1ሻ = 0.003 𝑚2

5 × 2.006
𝑚=√ = 8.18 𝑚−1
50 × 0.003

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 𝐿

𝑞𝑓 = 8.18 × 50 × 0.003 × 110 × tanhሺ8.18 × 0.075ሻ = 73.8 𝑊

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Example 2: A very long copper fin with 2.5 cm in diameter and thermal conductivity of 372
W/m.oC. This fin has one end maintained at 93 oC. The fin exposed t a fluid whose temperature is
38 oC. If the heat transfer coefficient is 3.5 W/m2. oC, how much will be the heat lost by the fin?
Solution:

T∞=38 oC
h=3.5 W/m2. oC

To=93 oC
k= 372 W/m. oC

Assumptions:
• Steady-state conditions.
• One-dimensional conduction along the fin
• Constant thermal conductivity.
• Negligible radiation exchange with surroundings.
• The fin is very long
Since the general solution
𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜
The fin is very long, and the temperature at the end of the fin is essentially that of the
surrounding fluid. Thus

𝐵. 𝐶. 3, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = ∞, 𝑇 = 𝑇∞ ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇∞ − 𝑇∞ = 0

Therefore, the temperature distribution will be as follows:

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𝜃 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ℎ𝑝
−√ 𝑥
= 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 = = 𝑒 𝑘𝐴
𝜃𝑜 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝑨ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0

Since
𝜃 = 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜕𝜃
= 𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 ሺ−𝑚ሻ = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝜃
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 𝑒 ሺ0ሻ = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
Therefore
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 |
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴ሺ−𝑚𝜃𝑜 ሻ = +𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜

ℎ𝑃
𝑚=√
𝑘𝐴

𝑃 = 𝜋𝐷 = 3.14 × 0.025 = 0.0785 𝑚

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴 = 𝐷2 = ሺ0.025ሻ2 = 0.0005 𝑚2
4 4
𝜃𝑜 = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 93 − 38 = 55 𝐶 𝑜

ℎ𝑃 3.5 × 0.0785
𝑚=√ =√ = 1.22 𝑚−1
𝑘𝐴 372 × 0.0005

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 = 1.22 × 372 × 0.0005 × 55 = 12.43 𝑊

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Example 3: A straight rectangular fin with 2.5 cm thick and 15 cm long is constructed of steel
(k=20 W/m. oC) and placed on the outside of a wall maintained at a temperature of 200 oC. The
environmental temperature is 15 oC and heat transfer coefficient of 17 W/m2. oC. If the loose end
of the fin is insulated, calculate the amount of heat loss per unit depth and fin efficiency. Given
that the heat transfer by radiation is negligible.
Solution:
Assumptions:
• Steady-state conditions.
• One-dimensional conduction along the fin
• Constant thermal conductivity.
• Negligible radiation exchange with surroundings.
• The end of the fin is insulated

h=17 W/m2. oC,

T∞=15 oC
k=20 W/m. oC

b=2.5 cm

To=200 oC

L=15 cm

x
Base

Since the general solution

𝜃 = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑚𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 −𝑚𝑥 (1)
𝐵. 𝐶. 1, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜 ⇒ 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 𝜃𝑜

𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝜃
𝐵. 𝐶. 4, 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿, | = | =0
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=𝐿
By substituting the above boundary conditions in the general solution, we obtain
𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= (2)
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿

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𝜕𝜃
Since, 𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | = ℎ𝑨ሗ ሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
Hence, we need to find the first derivative for the given temperature distribution (Eq.2) at x=0,
and then we will submit into Eq. 3 to calculate the heat transfer rate of the fin.

𝜃 cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
=
𝜃𝑜 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜃𝑜
𝜃= cosh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 𝜃𝑜
= sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻሺ−𝑚ሻ
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 𝑥ሻ
= −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚ሺ𝐿 − 0ሻ
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃 sinh 𝑚𝐿
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 cosh 𝑚𝐿

𝜕𝜃
| = −𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿 (4)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
By substituting Eq. 4 into Eq. 3 we obtain
𝜕𝜃
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴 | (3)
𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0
𝑞𝑓 = −𝑘𝐴ሺ−𝑚𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿ሻ

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿

ℎ𝑃
𝑚=√
𝑘𝐴

𝜃𝑜 = 𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ = 200 − 15 = 185 𝐶 °

𝑃 = 2𝑍 + 2𝑏 = 2ሺ1ሻ + 2ሺ0.025ሻ = 2.05 𝑚

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𝐴 = 𝑏𝑍 = 0.025ሺ1ሻ = 0.025 𝑚2

17 × 2.05
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑚 = √ = 8.35 𝑚−1
20 × 0.025

𝑞𝑓 = 𝑚𝑘𝐴𝜃𝑜 tanh 𝑚𝐿

𝑞𝑓 = 8.35 × 20 × 0.025 × 185 × tanhሺ8.35 × 0.15ሻ = 655.73 𝑊

𝜕𝜃
−𝑘𝐴 |
𝑞𝑓 ℎ𝑨ሗሺ𝑇 − 𝑇∞ ሻ 𝜕𝑥 𝑥=0 𝑞𝑓
𝜂𝑓 = = = =
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 ℎ𝑨ሗሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎ𝑨ሗሺ𝑇𝑜 − 𝑇∞ ሻ ℎሺሺ2𝑍 + 2𝑏ሻ𝐿ሻ𝜃𝑜
𝑞𝑓 655.73
𝜂𝑓 = = = 0.68
ℎሺሺ2𝑍 + 2𝑏ሻ𝐿ሻ𝜃𝑜 17 × (ሺ2 × 1 + 2 × 0.025ሻ0.15)185

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