A Numerical Investigation of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in a Novel Cylindrical Heat Sink with Helical Minichannels

Abstract

This study numerically investigated heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics in a novel cylindrical heat sink with helical minichannels for the laminar flow of fluid with temperature-dependent properties. A finite volume method was employed to obtain the solution of governing equations. The effects of helical angle, channel aspect ratio, and Reynolds number, which were regarded as main parameters, were determined. The overall performance of the heat sink was also analyzed on the basis of the thermal performance factor and the augmentation entropy generation number. Results showed that a decrease in the channel helix angle and an increase in the channel aspect ratio and Reynolds number enhance the average heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop in the heat sink. The thermal performance factor and entropy generation minimization method revealed that an aspect ratio of 1.2 enables the best heat sink performance at all helix angles. When the helix angle decreases, performance increases, especially at low aspect ratios.