Efficiency and optimization of straight fins with combined heat and mass transfer – An analytical solution

An analysis was carried out to study the efficiency of straight fins of different configurations when subjected to simultaneous heat and mass transfer mechanisms. The temperature and humidity ratio differences are the driving forces for heat and mass transfer, respectively. Analytical solutions are obtained for temperature distribution over the fin surface when the fin is fully wet. The effect of atmospheric pressure on the fin efficiency was also studied, in addition to fin optimum dimensions. It is demonstrated that the closed-form solutions for a dry fin case presented in many text books is a special case for the solutions presented in this paper.