Hybrid Nanofluid Flow in Microchannel With Fins: Thermal-Hydraulic, Entropy Generation and Energy Management Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to numerically analyze the thermal-hydraulic performances and total entropy generation of mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid in microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with fins for laminar flow regime. Besides, the performance evaluation plots (PEPs) are plotted to explore the possibilities of energy saving for mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid flow in MCHS with different fin configurations. The two-phase model is adopted to model the flow of nanofluid in the MCHS. The fin height, fin number, and nanoparticles loading are varied to investigate their effect on the heat transfer, flow characteristic, and entropy generation in the MCHS. It is discovered that 1.0% Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid gives the least total entropy generation if compared to water and Al2O3 mono-nanofluid owing to the significant heat transfer enhancement it offered. The MCHS with 5 fins and a fin height of 0.8 mm configuration is found to be the optimal design for heat removal in this study. Moreover, the plotted PEPs show that the use of Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid and Al2O3 nanofluid (with the concentration range of 0.1%–1.0%) in the MCHS can save energy at either constant pressure drop or flow rate.