The simulation analysis on the influence of non-closed droplet structure on thermal/ flow performance of pin fin heat sinks

Abstract

In order to improve the heat transfer performance of microchannels, considering from balance flow resistance and increasing heat transfer area, a non-closed droplet pin fin array microchannel has been designed. The purpose of this paper is to study the inner influence of non-closed droplet structure on convection heat transfer by means of simulation. Through the simulation tool ANSYS Fluent, the working conditions of heat flux density from 5 W/cm2 to 85 W/cm2 are simulated respectively, with the inlet flow as 1.5 kg/h and the inlet fluid temperature as 40 °C unchanged. Along with the increase of heat flux density (5 W/cm2 ⩽ q ⩽ 85 W/cm2), the pressure drop, the bottom temperature as well as the heat transfer coefficient continue to rise, but the rising rates are various. Such variation could be explained by the different heat exchange processes: single phase heat transfer, bubble nucleation, growth and migration and then dry phenomenon, which can be observed from the vapor phase distribution results. The distribution of vapor phase under multiple heat flux explains the variation of pressure and temperature in different stages. It could be concluded that the non-closed droplet pin fin has a strong fractal effect on the fluid. After multiple shunting and confluence, the flow velocity of the fluid on both sides is significantly greater than that between the fins, whose average velocity is 0.135 m/s faster than that between the pins. Besides, the heat transfer effect of the corresponding walls on both sides is also better than that between the pin fins. Because the pin fin has the characteristics of droplet structure, the boundary layer on both sides of the pin fin will be separated and the heat transfer performance will be enhanced. The temperature of the pin fin head is lower, and the temperature of the pin fin tail is higher, with an average difference as about 9.32 °C. The comparison research between non-closed droplet and traditional droplet pin fin has been conducted, as well. It could be concluded that when 5 W/cm2<q < 60 W/cm2, the heat transfer coefficient of the opening droplet microchannel is higher, with pressure drop lower. The main reason is that the improvement of the non-closed structure reduces the kinetic energy loss caused by the collision, and promotes the emergence and growth of the vaporization core.