Semi-analytical Evaluation of Entropy Generation in 1-D Heat Conduction with Variable Thermal Conductivity

In the present study, steady state heat transfer in a slab is analysed by applying the principle of variation calculus to the entropy generation minimization. The governing equation of the phenomena is obtained by minimizing the total entropy generation over the slab by considering the irreversibility and variation of thermal conductivity as a function of spatial co-ordinates. The governing equation is solved to obtain the temperature distribution, internal heat generation due to irreversibility, entropy generation number and entropy transport into system. The apparent heat sources that come into existence because of the irreversibility in heat diffusion have made the minimization of entropy generation feasible.