Accurate LBM appraising of pin-fins heat dissipation performance and entropy generation in enclosures as application to power electronic cooling

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to carry out an in-depth analysis of heat dissipation performance by natural convection phenomenon inside light-emitting diode (LED) lamps containing hot pin-fins because of its significant industrial applications. Design/methodology/approach The problem is assimilated to heat transfer inside air-filled rectangular cavity with various governing parameters appraised in ranges interesting engineering application and scientific research. The lattice Boltzmann method is used to predict the dynamic and thermal behaviors. Effects of monitoring parameters such as Rayleigh number Ra (103-106), fin length (0-0.25) and its position, pin-fins number (1-8), the tilting-angle (0-180°) and cavity aspect ratio Ar (0.25-4) are carried out. Findings The rising behaviors of the dynamic and thermal structures and heat transfer rate (Nu), the heatlines distribution and the irreversibility rate are appraised. It was found that the flow is constantly two contra-rotating symmetric cells. The heat transfer is almost doubled by increasing Ra. A lack of cooling performance was identified between Ar = 0.5 and 0.75. The inclination 45° is the most appropriate cooling case. At constant Ra, the maximum stream-function and the global entropy generation remain almost unchanged by increasing the pin number from 1 to 8 and the entropy generation is of thermal origin for low Ra, so that the fluid friction irreversibility becomes dominant for Ra larger than 105. Research limitations/implications Improvements may include three-dimensional complex geometries, accounting for thermal radiation, high unit power and turbulence modelling. Such factors effects will be conducted in the future. Practical implications The cooling performance/heat dissipation in LED lamps is a key manufacturing factors, which determines the lifetime of the electronic components. The best design and installation give the opportunity to increase further the product shelf-life. Originality/value Both cooling performance, irreversibility rate and enclosure configuration (aspect ratio and inclination) are taken into account. This cooling scheme will give a superior operating mode of the hot components in an era where energy harvesting, storage and consumption is met with considerable attention in the worldwide.