In this paper, we examine the combined effects of convection and radiation on thermal performance of porous radial fins with variable thermal conductivity. The interaction between the ambient fluid and the solid matrix is described by the Darcy’s law and the exponential variation in the radial fin effective thermal conductivity is temperature dependent. The governing energy balance equation is derived and solved numerically using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method with shooting technique. Graphical results are displayed and discussed quantitatively for the effects of various thermophysical parameters on the radial fin temperature and base heat flow.

radial porous fins, natural convection, thermal radiation, Darcy model, variable thermal conductivity.