Using of phase change materials to enhance the thermal performance of micro channel heat sink

Abstract

In this paper using of the phase change materials (PCMs) in a micro-channel heat sink (MCHS) is numerically investigated. The air is first used in heat sink and then four phase change materials (paraffin wax, n-eicosane, p116 and RT41) have been used as cooling mediums in different types and different configurations at different ambient temperatures. Constant heat flux is applied on the base of heat sink and mixed (convection and radiation) boundary condition is applied at the top surfaces of heat sink.The results showed that, using of the phase change materials in micro-channels heat sink with different configurations lead to enhance the cooling performance of micro heat sink. The phase change material should be selected according to its melting temperature according to the certain application as different phase change martials caused different values of reduction in heat sink temperature in range of ambient temperature due to difference in melting temperatures of PCMs. The cost of materials depends on the classification of the PCM (organic and inorganic) and quantity of PCMs used in a certain application.