Thermal modeling with PC spreadsheets

It is shown how the structure of personal computer (PC) spreadsheet programs makes them an appropriate vehicle for use in multidimensional thermal modeling. The methodology of implementing spreadsheet solutions is presented, and memory requirements, iteration time, and the structure for parametric studies using PC spreadsheets are discussed. The energy balance approach to deriving the nodal equations in thermal modeling is then given in detail. An example showing how to implement a spreadsheet numerical solution for two-dimensional heat flow through a fin is presented. Heat flux, insulated, and convecting boundaries are illustrated