Evaluation of Heat Transfer Augmentation in a Nanofluid-Cooled Microchannel Heat Sink

Abstract

Present investigation deals with appraising heat transfer enhancement of single phase microchannel heat sink (MCHS) by ultra fine Cu particle incorporation in base coolant fluid. The particle diameter is of nanometer size and base fluid in combination of nanoparticles is called nanofluid. Governing equations for fluid flow and heat transfer are based on well established “porous medium model” and accordingly, modified Darcy equation and two-equation model are employed. Appropriate equations for both fluid flow and heat transfer are derived and cast into dimensionless form. Velocity profile is obtained analytically and in order to solve conjugate heat transfer problem a combined analytical–numerical approach is employed. For heat transfer analysis, thermal dispersion model is adopted and latest proposed model for effective thermal conductivity – which considers the salient effect of interfacial shells between particles and base fluid – is integrated into model. The effects of dispersed particles concentration, thermal dispersion coefficient and Reynolds number are investigated on thermal fields and on thermal performance of MCHS. Additionally, the impact of turbulent heat transfer on heat transfer enhancement is considered.