FLUID FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER BEHAVIOR IN DISTINCT ARRAY OF STEPPED MICRO-PIN FIN HEAT SINK

Abstract

In this paper, numerical analysis has been performed on micro-pin fin heat sinks with novel arrangements of the fins. Varying the fin height in an array of two, three, and four fins evolves stepped-type pin fin heat sink. Geometry selection of all seven configurations of the heat sinks is made on the basis of equal footprint area as well as net convective surface area. Single-phase liquid water has been used as a cooling medium where inlet Reynolds number (Re) varied from 200-600. Comparative numerical results are presented through the illustration of temperature distribution, Nusselt number (Nu), pressure drop, velocity contour, and thermal performance factor. Estimated findings clearly indicate that the overall performance of the stepped configurations is better than uniform fin height. Moreover, arrays of increasing fin heights facilitate favorable flow behavior compared to decreasing fin height; consequently, they support higher heat transfer rate from the heat sink. Among the stepped heat sinks, THSI (three-stepped increasing) configuration exhibits superior performance due to distinct coolant flow and favorable heat dissipation circumstances originated by constructive fin arrangements. Similarly, the thermal performance factor of THSI is found to be consistently higher compared to all other heat sinks.