Question: Find heat conduction equation in extended surface by
using find heat conduction equation in extended surface by using
following Boundary conditions at the tip of a fin. Boundary
conditions at the tip of a fin.
Answer:
Heat transfer between a solid surface and a moving fluid is governed by the Newton’s cooling
law:
𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = ℎ𝐴𝑠(𝑇0 − 𝑇𝑎),
where 𝑇0 is the surface temperature and 𝑇𝑎 is the fluid temperature. Therefore, to increase the
convective heat transfer:
• Increase the temperature difference (𝑇0 − 𝑇𝑎) between the surface and the fluid.
• Increase the convection coefficient ℎ. This can be accomplished by increasing the fluid flow
over the surface since h is a function of the flow velocity and the higher the velocity, the
higher the h.
• Increase the contact surface area.
𝐴𝑠 Many times, when the first option is not in our control and the second option (i.e. increasing
h) is already stretched to its limit, we are left with the only alternative of increasing the effective
surface area by using fins or extended surfaces.
Consider a straight rectangular or pin fin protruding from a wall surface .The characteristic
dimensions of the fin are its length L, constant cross-sectional area Ac and the circumferential
parameter P.
Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a rectangular fin from a wall
• The temperature at the base of the fin is T0 and the temperature of the ambient fluid into
which the rod extends is considered to be constant at temperature Ta.
• The base temperature T0 is highest and the temperature along the fin length goes on
diminishing.
Consider infinitesimal element of the fin of thickness dx at a distance x from base wall as shown
in figure 2:
Figure 2: Heat transfer through a fin
Heat conducted into the element at plane x
Heat conducted out of the element at plane
Heat convected out of the element between the planes x and (𝑥 + 𝑑𝑥)
Here temperature t of the fin has been assumed to be uniform and non-variant for the
infinitesimal element. According to first law of thermodynamic, for the steady state condition,
heat transfer into element is equal to heat transfer from the element
Upon arrangement and simplification
Let, 𝜃(𝑥) = 𝑡(𝑥) – 𝑡𝑎
As the ambient temperature is constant, so differentiation of the equation is
Thus
Where
The above equation provides a general form of the energy equation for one dimensional heat
dissipation from an extended surface.
The general solution of this linear homogeneous second order differential equation is of the form
Constant C1 and C2 are to be determined with the aid of relevant boundary conditions. We will
treat the following Boundary Condition.
The fin is of any finite length with the end insulated and so no heat is transferred from the tip.
Therefore, the relevant boundary conditions are:
Temperature at the base of fin equals the temperature of the surface to which the fin is attached.
Figure 3: Heat dissipation from a fin insulated at the tip
In terms of excess temperature
Substitution of this boundary condition
As the tip of fin is insulated, temperature gradient is zero at end of the fin.
Substitute the value of 𝐶1
Substitute the value of 𝐶2
Substitute the values of constant in equation, expression for temperature distribution along the
length of the fin is obtained
In terms of hyperbolic function, expression is given as
Where
t is the temperature at any point along x direction.
to is the base temperature.
ta is the Environment temperature.
Conclusion:
The heat conduction equation for an extended surface (fin) with an insulated tip (adiabatic
condition) is derived using the steady-state one-dimensional conduction equation with
convective heat loss. Applying the boundary conditions no heat loss at the tip leads to a specific
temperature distribution along the fin. The final solution shows that temperature decreases
exponentially along the fin length, and the fin efficiency depends on material properties and
convective heat transfer. This analysis helps in optimizing fin design for better heat dissipation in
thermal systems.