Thermal Management High Heat Flux Amplification Conceptual Model

Abstract

Unanticipated high heat flux amplification in thermal management schemes can compromise or limit the optimization in emerging engineering systems. A conjugate heat flux removal finite element analysis simulation was developed with excellent accuracy for predicting heat flux amplification and the peak inside wall temperature () in single-side heated flow channels. The simulation was expanded in this work by developing a conceptual model that identifies some of the parameters controlling the amplification. Although the model appears to be fluid- and flow regime-independent, more work is required. The model was used to develop amplification and correlation comparisons for a single-side heated monoblock with a circular flow channel. At a incident absorbed heat flux, the model predictions had excellent agreement with the simulation and prototype predictions. At this heat flux, for example, the model amplification prediction was 1.20; i.e., the inside flow channel maximum heat flux was 20% higher than the incident heat flux. The corresponding amplifications for the simulation and prototype were 1.22 and 1.20, respectively. Finally, the model was developed to be applicable in the region and had very good inside wall radial heat flux and temperature circumferential distribution predictions.