Numerical simulation of two-dimensional fins using the meshless local Petrov – Galerkin method

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to highlight the behaviour of one-dimensional and two-dimensional fin models under the natural room conditions, considering the different values of dimensionless Biot number (Bi). The effect of convection and radiation on the heat transfer process has also been demonstrated using the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

It is true that MLPG method is time-consuming and expensive in terms of man-hours, as it is in the developing stage, but with the advent of computationally fast new-generation computers, there is a big possibility of the development of MLPG software, which will not only reduce the computational time and cost but also enhance the accuracy and precision in the results. Bi values of 0.01 and 0.10 have been taken for the experimental investigation of one-dimensional and two-dimensional rectangular fin models. The numerical simulation results obtained by the analytical method, benchmark numerical method and the MLPG method for both the models have been compared with that of the experimental investigation results for validation and found to be in good agreement. Performance of the fin has also been demonstrated.

Findings

The experimental and numerical investigations have been conducted for one-dimensional and two-dimensional linear and nonlinear fin models of rectangular shape. MLPG is used as a potential numerical method. Effect of radiation is also, implemented successfully. Results are found to be in good agreement with analytical solution, when one-dimensional steady problem is solved; however, two-dimensional results obtained by the MLPG method are compared with that of the finite element method and found that the proposed method is as accurate as the established method. It is also found that for higher Bi, the one-dimensional model is not appropriate, as it does not demonstrate the appreciated error; hence, a two-dimensional model is required to predict the performance of a fin. Radiative fin illustrates more heat transfer than the pure convective fin. The performance parameters show that as the Bi increases, the performance of fin decreases because of high thermal resistance.

Research limitations/implications

Though, best of the efforts have been put to showcase the behaviour of one-dimensional and two-dimensional fins under nonlinear conditions, at different Bi values, yet lot more is to be demonstrated. Nonlinearity, in the present paper, is exhibited by using the thermal and material properties as the function of temperature, but can be further demonstrated with their dependency on the area. Additionally, this paper can be made more elaborative by extending the research for transient problems, with different fin profiles. Natural convection model is adopted in the present study but it can also be studied by using forced convection model.

Practical implications

Fins are the most commonly used medium to enhance heat transfer from a hot primary surface. Heat transfer in its natural condition is nonlinear and hence been demonstrated. The outcome is practically viable, as it is applicable at large to the broad areas like automobile, aerospace and electronic and electrical devices.

Originality/value

As per the literature survey, lot of work has been done on fins using different numerical methods; but to the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is first in the area of nonlinear heat transfer of fins using dimensionless Bi by the truly meshfree MLPG method.

Citation

Garg, R., Thakur, H. and Tripathi, B. (2020), "Numerical simulation of two-dimensional fins using the meshless local Petrov – Galerkin method", Engineering Computations, Vol. 37 No. 8, pp. 2913-2938. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-07-2019-0340