Theoretical study the effect of dispersion of nanoparticles on thermo-physical characteristics of PCM with micro-channel heat sink

Abstract

Thermal performance of micro-channel heat sink (MHS) with different cooling mediums has been investigated numerically using 3D model of conjugated heat transfer. Four types of coolants have been used in this study starting with air as a baseline to compare its thermal performance with pure phase change material (PCM) which was paraffin wax and nanoparticles-enhanced phase change material (NEPCM) which were (Silicon carbide (Sic)-PCM and Diamond-PCM) with volume fraction values of (1, 3, and 5%). On the heat sink base, a constant and uniform heat flux of (8000, 10000, 12000, and 14000W.m−2) is applied. Numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of nanoparticle material and concentrations of nanoparticles on cooling performance of heat sink. The findings elucidated the cooling performance of MHS is enhanced with PCM compared with air and suspension nanoparticles lead to improve the thermal conductivity of (NEPCM) comparing with pure PCM, that causing expedite the melting process and enhancement of cooling performance. Also, as the concentration of nanoparticles increased, the heat transfer rate for (NEPCM) enhanced and decreasing the time of the melting process.