Secondary Flow Path Research Articles

Turbulent flow field in maglev centrifugal blood pumps of CH-VAD and HeartMate III: secondary flow and its effects on pump performance.

Secondary flow path is one of the crucial aspects during the design of centrifugal blood pumps. Small clearance size increases stress level and blood damage, while large clearance size can improve blood washout and reduce stress level. Nonetheless, large clearance also leads to strong secondary flows, causing further blood damage. Maglev blood pumps rely on magnetic force to achieve rotor suspension and allow more design freedom of clearance size. This study aims to characterize turbulent flow field and secondary flow as well as its effects on the primary flow and pump performance, in two representative commercial maglev blood pumps of CH-VAD and HeartMate III, which feature distinct designs of secondary flow path. The narrow and long secondary flow path of CH-VAD resulted in low secondary flow rates and low disturbance to the primary flow. The flow loss and blood damage potential of the CH-VAD mainly occurred at the secondary flow path, as well as the blade clearances. By contrast, the wide clearances in HeartMate III induced significant disturbance to the primary flow, resulting in large incidence angle, strong secondary flows and high flow loss. At higher flow rates, the incidence angle was even larger, causing larger separation, leading to a significant decrease of efficiency and steeper performance curve compared with CH-VAD. This study shows that maglev bearings do not guarantee good blood compatibility, and more attention should be paid to the influence of secondary flows on pump performance when designing centrifugal blood pumps.

Pore‐Scale Modeling of Reactive Transport with Coupled Mineral Dissolution and Precipitation

AbstractWe present a new pore‐scale model for multicomponent advective‐diffusive transport with coupled mineral dissolution and precipitation. Both dissolution and precipitation are captured simultaneously by introducing a phase transformation vector field representing the direction and magnitude of the overall phase change. An effective viscosity model is adopted in simulating fluid flow during mineral dissolution‐precipitation that can accurately capture the velocity field without introducing any empirical parameters. The proposed approach is validated against analytical solutions and interface tracking simulations in simplified structures. After validation, the proposed approach is employed in modeling realistic rocks where mineral dissolution and precipitation are dominant at different locations. We have identified three regimes for mineral dissolution‐precipitation coupling: (a) compact dissolution‐precipitation where dissolution is dominant near the inlet and precipitation is dominant near the outlet, (b) wormhole dissolution with clustered precipitation where dissolution generates wormholes in the main flow paths and precipitation clogs the secondary flow paths, and (c) dissolution dominant where all solid grains are gradually dissolved. In the three regimes, the proposed approach provides reliable porosity‐permeability relationships that cannot be described well by traditional macroscale models. We find that the permeability can increase while the overall porosity decreases when the main flow paths are expanded by dissolution and adjacent pore spaces are clogged by precipitation.

Fracture Intensity Impacts on Reaction Front Propagation and Mineral Weathering in Three‐Dimensional Fractured Media

AbstractStudying reaction front propagation in heterogeneous natural settings is challenging, but numerical simulations can provide insight into the varying spatial and temporal scales of reaction front propagation. Here, the impact of increasing fracture intensity on mineral dissolution rates, and the extent of reaction front propagation is investigated using reactive transport simulations in upscaled discrete fracture network domains with varied fracture intensity. Domain‐averaged dissolution rates vary less than 0.5 log units regardless of the fracture intensity, but the spatial distribution of reactions is controlled by the location and number of dead‐end fractures and the number of connected flowpaths through the domain. Higher fracture intensities lead to more weathering in the domain because of more available mineral for water‐rock interactions. We find that reaction fronts propagate through the primary flowpaths in the first 10,000 years of the simulation for a 10‐m length domain, then propagate into secondary flowpaths and dead‐end fractures between 10,000 and 100,000 years, and finally into the matrix over timescales of hundreds of thousands of years. The domain‐averaged reaction rates decrease through time corresponding to a transition from dissolution in advection‐dominated, fast‐flowing pathways, to dissolution in transport‐limited zones of disconnected fractures and matrix. Matrix dissolution, or dissolution under transport‐limited conditions, is the dominant process at late times in these simulations. The results of these simulations recreate the observed paradox found in nature where highly fractured hillslopes tend to be more weathered but have slower weathering rates, while hillslopes with fewer fractures, are less weathered but have higher dissolution rates.

Preclinical evaluation of the fluid dynamics and hemocompatibility of the Corheart 6 left ventricular assist device.

Corheart 6 (Corheart) is a newly developed magnetically levitated continuous-flow left ventricular assist device currently undergoing multicenter clinical trials in China. Featuring a small size, minimal weight, and low power consumption, the Corheart aims to improve pump hemocompatibility, reduce adverse events, and enhance the quality of life of heart failure patients. Computational simulations assessed flow field, shear stress, and washout, while in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to further demonstrate hemocompatibility. Numerical results show that the flow path in the Corheart blood pump is well designed. There is no significantly high shear stress in the majority of the flow domain. Short secondary flow paths and small pump size (small priming volume) provide good washing (0.049 and 0.165 s to remove 55% and 95% old blood, respectively), allowing low hemolysis levels both in computational and in vitro hemolysis tests (in vitro hemolysis index ranges from 0.00092 ± 0.00006 g/100 L to 0.00134 ± 0.00019 g/100 L). Good hemocompatibility was further evidenced by ten 60-day sheep implants tested with relatively low flow rates of 2.0 ± 0.2L/min; the results showed no hemolysis or thrombosis. Numerical and experimental results shed light on the fluid dynamics characteristics and hemocompatibility of the Corheart. It is believed that the Corheart will provide more promising possibilities for minimally invasive implantation techniques and for those patients with a small body surface area.

Optimizing the Geometric Parameters of a Stepped Labyrinth Seal to Minimize the Discharge Coefficient

A series of numerical simulations were performed to study the discharge coefficient based on the geometric parameters of a stepped labyrinth seal that sealed the secondary flow path of a gas turbine. In contrast with straight-through seals, stepped labyrinth seals introduce additional geometrical parameters related to the steps. In this study, three shape variables were observed: step height (SH), position, and cavity width (CW). The sensitivity to the leakage flow of the shape variable in the stepped labyrinth seal was analyzed. The mechanism for improving the sealing performance of stepped labyrinth seals was investigated. The results indicated that the stepped labyrinth seal exhibited up to 17.9% higher leakage-suppression performance than the straight labyrinth seal. Seals with large discharge coefficients had a large vena contracta upstream of each tooth structure and a rapidly accelerated axial velocity in the radial direction. We could observe that the discharge coefficient changed according to the flow field in the cavity. The wall shear stress was sensitive to the SH but not to the CW or step position.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis and experimental hemolytic performance of three clinical centrifugal blood pumps: Revolution, Rotaflow and CentriMag

Centrifugal blood pumps have become popular for adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) due to their superior blood handling and reduced thrombosis risk featured by their secondary flow paths that avoid stagnant areas. However, the high rotational speed within a centrifugal blood pump can introduce high shear stress, causing a significant shear-induced hemolysis rate. The Revolution pump, the Rotaflow pump, and the CentriMag pump are three of the leading centrifugal blood pumps on the market. Although many experimental and computational studies have focused on evaluating the hydraulic and hemolytic performances of the Rotaflow and CentriMag pumps, there are few on the Revolution pump. Furthermore, a thorough direct comparison of these three pumps' flow characteristics and hemolysis is not available. In this study, we conducted a computational and experimental analysis to compare the hemolytic performances of the Revolution, Rotaflow, and CentriMag pumps operating under a clinically relevant condition, i.e., the blood flow rate of 5 ​L/min and pump pressure head of 350 ​mmHg, for adult ECMO support. In silico simulations were used to characterize the shear stress distributions and predict the hemolysis index, while in vitro blood loop studies experimentally determined hemolysis performance. Comparative simulation results and experimental data demonstrated that the CentriMag pump caused the lowest hemolysis while the Revolution pump generated the highest hemolysis.

Insights Into the Low Rate of In-Pump Thrombosis With the HeartMate 3: Does the Artificial Pulse Improve Washout?

While earlier studies reported no relevant effect of the HeartMate 3 (HM3) artificial pulse (AP) on bulk pump washout, its effect on regions with prolonged residence times remains unexplored. Using numerical simulations, we compared pump washout in the HM3 with and without AP with a focus on the clearance of the last 5% of the pump volume. Results were examined in terms of flush-volume (Vf, number of times the pump was flushed with new blood) to probe the effect of the AP independent of changing flow rate. Irrespective of the flow condition, the HM3 washout scaled linearly with flush volume up to 70% washout and slowed down for the last 30%. Flush volumes needed to washout 95% of the pump were comparable with and without the AP (1.3–1.4 Vf), while 99% washout required 2.1–2.2 Vf with the AP vs. 2.5 Vf without the AP. The AP enhanced washout of the bend relief and near-wall regions. It also transiently shifted or eliminated stagnation regions and led to rapid wall shear stress fluctuations below the rotor and in the secondary flow path. Our results suggest potential benefits of the AP for clearance of fluid regions that might elicit in-pump thrombosis and provide possible mechanistic rationale behind clinical data showing very low rate of in-pump thrombosis with the HM3. Further optimization of the AP sequence is warranted to balance washout efficacy while limiting blood damage.

Inverse design of microreactor flow fields through anisotropic porous media optimization and dehomogenization

Microreactors are widely used in energy storage and conversion systems, where fluid flow fields play a significant role in reaction-fluid performance. While conventional and bio-inspired flow fields have been investigated in literature, they are often limited to a forward design framework. Forward-designed flow fields depend on an initial layout selection with limited design freedom. In this paper, an inverse design and dehomogenization framework is proposed to discover innovative microreactor flow field designs. A gradient-based method is applied to optimize the spatially varying orientation of anisotropic porous media. A dehomogenization method is adopted to recover the optimized porous media performance by way of intricate microchannel structures in a post-processing step. Through a numerical example, we find trade-offs between the reaction performance and fluid flow performance for multiple optimized microreactor flow fields. Parallel flow fields are confirmed as low pressure drop designs. Branching flow fields with primary and secondary flow paths are discovered for enhanced reaction performance. Optimized designs with balanced reaction-fluid performance can also be obtained with input design requirements. The three-dimensional (3D) performance of each flow field design is verified by additional numerical simulation. The optimized flow fields are shown to outperform conventional parallel and serpentine benchmark designs. The findings of the paper will be useful in novel reactor flow field designs for enhanced performance in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and energy applications.

Tracking secondary lahar flow paths and characterizing pulses and surges using infrasound array networks at Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala

Lahars are one of the greatest hazards at many volcanoes, including Volcán de Fuego (Guatemala). On 1 December 2018 at 8:00pm local Guatemala time (2:00:00 UTC), an hour-long lahar event was detected at Volcán de Fuego by two permanent seismo-acoustic stations along the Las Lajas channel on the southeast side. To establish the timing, duration, and speed of the lahar, infrasound array records were examined to identify both the source direction(s) and the correlated energy fluctuations at the two stations. Co-located seismic and acoustic signals were also examined, which indicated at least 5 distinct energy pulses within the lahar record. We infer that varying sediment load and/or changes in flow velocity is shown by clear fluctuations in the acoustic and seismic power recorded at one of the stations. This particular event studied with infrasound provides insight into how lahars occur around Volcán de Fuego.

On the Optimization of a Centrifugal Maglev Blood Pump Through Design Variations.

Centrifugal blood pumps are usually designed with secondary flow paths to avoid flow dead zones and reduce the risk of thrombosis. Due to the secondary flow path, the intensity of secondary flows and turbulence in centrifugal blood pumps is generally very high. Conventional design theory is no longer applicable to centrifugal blood pumps with a secondary flow path. Empirical relationships between design variables and performance metrics generally do not exist for this type of blood pump. To date, little scientific study has been published concerning optimization and experimental validation of centrifugal blood pumps with secondary flow paths. Moreover, current hemolysis models are inadequate in an accurate prediction of hemolysis in turbulence. The purpose of this study is to optimize the hydraulic and hemolytic performance of an inhouse centrifugal maglev blood pump with a secondary flow path through variation of major design variables, with a focus on bringing down intensity of turbulence and secondary flows. Starting from a baseline design, through changing design variables such as blade angles, blade thickness, and position of splitter blades. Turbulent intensities have been greatly reduced, the hydraulic and hemolytic performance of the pump model was considerably improved. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combined with hemolysis models were mainly used for the evaluation of pump performance. A hydraulic test was conducted to validate the CFD regarding the hydraulic performance. Collectively, these results shed light on the impact of major design variables on the performance of modern centrifugal blood pumps with a secondary flow path.

Efficient Evaluation of Heat Exchangers Behaviour in Nuclear Power Plants

This paper studies the performance of the primary and secondary flow paths of the Heat Exchangers (HEXs) in the Nuclear Power Plants (NPP). Explicit solutions for the wall temperature, primary and secondary wall temperatures of the HEX are presented. Therefore, closed form expressions for wall temperature, primary and secondary wall temperature are proposed. Moreover, performance analysis of HEX is investigated. Curves for the HEX wall temperature are introduced with special emphasis on the initial wall temperature. The various effects of pipe wall heat capacities, perimeter, fluid Heat Transfer (HT) coefficient and wall HT coefficient on the HEX are evaluated. The obtained results confirm that the surface contact between the two fluid passes reduces the temperature to some extent at 5 seconds. Furthermore, it is limited to the pipe length and contact time. As a final point of observation, the distributed temperature through the HEX structure increases with the decrease of perimeter. Since, the wall area decreases with the decrease of perimeter. The proposed work allows more control of the HT process within the HEX. Consequently, the performance of NPPs can be improved.

Hemocompatibility of new magnetically-levitated centrifugal pump technology compared to the CentriMag adult pump

The specific hemocompatibility properties of mechanical-circulatory-support (MCS)-pump technologies have not previously been described in a comparable manner. We thus investigated the hemocompatibility-indicating marker of a new magnetically-levitated (MagLev) centrifugal pump (MT-Mag) in a human, whole-blood mock-loop for 360 min using the MCS devices as a driving component. We compared those results with the CentriMag adult (C-Mag) device under the same conditions according to ISO10993-4. Blood samples were analyzed via enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) for markers of coagulation, complement system, and the inflammatory response. The time-dependent activation of the coagulation system was measured by detecting thrombin-anti-thrombin complexes (TAT). The activation of the complement system was determined by increased SC5b-9 levels in both groups. A significant activation of neutrophils (PMN-elastase) was detected within the C-Mag group, but not in the MT-Mag group. However, the amount of PMN-elastase at 360 min did not differ significantly between groups. The activation of the complement and coagulation system was found to be significantly time-dependent in both devices. However, coagulation activation as determined by the TAT level was lower in the MT-Mag group than in the C-Mag group. This slight disparity could have been achieved by the optimized secondary flow paths and surface coating, which reduces the interaction of the surface with blood.

깃 없는 디퓨져의 폭 변화가 터보펌프의 수력성능에 미치는 영향에 관한 수치해석적 연구

Due to the secondary flow path and the interface between the rotating impeller and the fixed diffuser, diffusers of various shapes have been designed. In this study, the effect of the vaneless diffuser width variation that is one of the shape parameters on the hydraulic performance of the turbopump was evaluated. In the case of the diffuser with increased width, the radial velocity was decreased due to the increase of the diffuser area and the velocity in the tangential direction was increased. Therefore, the head of the turbopump became higher. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the static pressure rose more as it passed through the internal flow path of the diffuser. Backflow was occurred at hub and tip of the diffuser inlet by the investigation of the streamline. So, the hydraulic loss was significantly increased at the diffuser inlet. Due to the pressure rise, the efficiency was also increased even though the loss was increased.

Preferential Paths of Air-water Two-phase Flow in Porous Structures with Special Consideration of Channel Thickness Effects

Accurate understanding and predicting the flow paths of immiscible two-phase flow in rocky porous structures are of critical importance for the evaluation of oil or gas recovery and prediction of rock slides caused by gas-liquid flow. A 2D phase field model was established for compressible air-water two-phase flow in heterogenous porous structures. The dynamic characteristics of air-water two-phase interface and preferential paths in porous structures were simulated. The factors affecting the path selection of two-phase flow in porous structures were analyzed. Transparent physical models of complex porous structures were prepared using 3D printing technology. Tracer dye was used to visually observe the flow characteristics and path selection in air-water two-phase displacement experiments. The experimental observations agree with the numerical results used to validate the accuracy of phase field model. The effects of channel thickness on the air-water two-phase flow behavior and paths in porous structures were also analyzed. The results indicate that thick channels can induce secondary air flow paths due to the increase in flow resistance; consequently, the flow distribution is different from that in narrow channels. This study provides a new reference for quantitatively analyzing multi-phase flow and predicting the preferential paths of immiscible fluids in porous structures.

CFD based evaluation of conventional electrical submersible pump for high-speed application

Fluctuations in oil prices have negatively affected the petroleum industry, prompting to look for innovative ways to optimize oil recovery. One of the current approaches to optimize oil production is to employ high-speed ESPs with Permanent Magnet Motors (PMM) that allow reducing the pump size while increasing the operating envelop. Standard affinity laws are a useful tool to provide a preliminary estimate of common pump performance. However, there is a need to understand the detailed variation in the flow variables and losses incurring due to fluid-geometry interactions at high rotational speeds. To evaluate the hydraulic performance of a mixed flow pump, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed at rotational speeds ranging from 3600 rpm to 20000 rpm using fluids with different viscosities. Fluid behavior is studied by observing the change in flow parameters with rotational speed. Similitude analysis is utilized to characterize the pump performance. The numerical results yielded improved pump hydraulic performance with an increase in rotational speeds which is attributed to reduced separation losses mainly in the diffuser section. Research is concluded with further evaluation of the complete stage including secondary leakage flow path on flow variables and axial thrust forces.

Determination of Primary and Secondary Lahar Flow Paths of the Fuego Volcano (Guatemala) Using Morphometric Parameters

On 3 June 2018, a strong eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala produced a dense cloud of 10-km-high volcanic ash and destructive pyroclastic flows that caused nearly 200 deaths and huge economic losses in the region. Subsequently, due to heavy rains, destructive secondary lahars were produced, which were not plotted on the hazard maps using the LAHAR Z software. In this work we propose to complement the mapping of this type of lahars using remote-sensing (Differential Interferometry, DINSAR) in Sentinel images 1A and 2A, to locate areas of deformation of the relief on the flanks of the volcano, areas that are possibly origin of these lahars. To determine the trajectory of the lahars, parameters and morphological indices were analyzed with the software System for Automated Geoscientific Analysis (SAGA). The parameters and morphological indices used were the accumulation of flow (FCC), the topographic wetness index (TWI), the length-magnitude factor of the slope (LS). Finally, a slope stability analysis was performed using the Shallow Landslide Susceptibility software (SHALSTAB) based on the Mohr–Coulomb theory and its parameters: internal soil saturation degree and effective precipitation, parameters required to destabilize a hillside. In this case, the application of this complementary methodology provided a more accurate response of the areas destroyed by primary and secondary lahars in the vicinity of the volcano.

INFLUENCE OF CHARACTERISTICS VORTEX BURNER FOR HEAT TRANSFER EFFICIENCY IN THE FURNACE BOILER

In Ukraine, a significant number of domestic and industrial boilers are in operation. In this paper, we present the results of a numerical study of the processes of burning gaseous fuels in a furnace of a steam water-tube boiler DE-10/14. The burner device GMG-7 with a capacity of 728 m3/h of natural gas provides a swirling short and wide torch. The fuel-air mixture is formed by premixing 15% of the air, with a primary twist factor n = 2.4, and a secondary burner twist ratio n = 1.6, and an excess air factor αa = 1.10. The option of installing blades in the primary air duct with an angle φ1 = 45° was considered, and in the secondary air channel with an angle φ2=60°. The burner embrasure is conical with an opening angle of 60°. Twist of primary and secondary air – one way. As a result of the research, the temperature and velocity distributions of gases in the combustion chamber, the density of heat flows on the screen tubular surfaces, and the concentrations of the combustion components were determined. The mathematical model of radiation-convective heat transfer in the gas path of the boiler is formed on the basis of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations with allowance for gravity and neglect of compressibility. The model is the equation of continuity, momentum transfer, energy and chemical components of the gas mixture recorded in a stationary form. The equations are closed by the Newton law for the pressure tensor, the Fourier law for the heat flux, the Fick law for the mass flow, the Clapeyron-Mendeleyev law for the thermodynamic state of the gas mixture, the equations of the Launder-Spaulding turbulence model and the Magnusen-Hertager turbulent combustion model. The simulation is performed by the control volume method. At a slope angle of the blades of the register φ2=60° in the secondary air flow path and φ1 = 45° in the primary air duct, a wide opening of the V-shaped flame near the cutoff of the burner at a distance of 0.5 to 0.6 m is observed. Combustion of the gas – in narrow jets of the open torch at a distance of 1.0 – 1.5 m. The temperature of the gases in the streams of the torch is about 1500 – 1700°C. In this case, narrow jets move near the screen surfaces of the heat exchange tubes. It is established that the structure of the flame at the angle of installation of the blades φ2 = 45° is symmetrical and stable, and the dimensions of the torch correspond more to the geometry of the combustion volume. At the same time, no flare is observed on the screen side surfaces and the bottom of the furnace, tightening the torch in a convective beam. However, the temperature of the gases and the density of the heat flow are not high enough – the average values are about q=100 kW/m2 (at qcp = 76.8 kW/m2).

Computational Parametric Study of the Axial and Radial Clearances in a Centrifugal Rotary Blood Pump.

In centrifugal rotary blood pumps (RBP), clearances are a critical parameter in determining blood trauma. This study investigates the effect of axial clearance (Cax) and radial clearance (Crad) on the hydrodynamic and hemolytic performance of a centrifugal RBP. A centrifugal pump was parameterized so that it could be defined by geometric variables Cax and Crad. Optimal Latin hypercube sampling was used to determine design points based on Cax, Crad, and rotor speed (ω). For each design point, a computational simulation was conducted to determine efficiency (η) and normalized index of hemolysis (NIH). Next, a response surface (RS) was created to estimate these performance parameters based on the design variables. The results show that for a given Cax, when Crad is decreased, η increases until Crad = 0.15 mm, beyond which η deceases. For a given Crad, Cax has a unimodal relationship with η. The NIH has a unimodal relationship with both Cax and Crad. The mechanisms behind these relationships were investigated by various analytical methods. It was found that vortices in the secondary flow paths were a critical factor in determining efficiency and hemolysis. The optimal clearance values discerned in this study are only valid for the specific impeller geometry and operating conditions analyzed.

An acoustic method for systematic ventricular assist device thrombus evaluation with a novel artificial thrombus model.

Pump thrombosis (PT) is still one of the major adverse events in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices. Nowadays, thrombus detection relies on clinical parameters like reoccurring heart failure symptoms, on changes in pump power consumption, and on laboratory parameters such as increased LDH and hemolysis. Once detected PT is most often persistent and refractory to medical therapy. We therefore designed a novel, non-invasive acoustic method for early pump thrombus detection in an in vitro artificial thrombus model. The study was performed in vitro using a mock circulation loop, artificial blood (water-glycerin) and artificial thrombus material (silicon) allowing for repeatable and defined testing. Tested ventricular assist device (VAD) type was HVAD (Medtronic). Three different thrombus locations were evaluated: on the tilted pad of the rotor, in the primary flow path, and in the secondary flow path beneath the rotor. After evaluating baseline parameters (no thrombus, n=20 for each pump), the influence of thrombi of seven different masses (no thrombus, 0.5-5.0 mg) on pump power consumption and acoustic emission of four HVAD devices was investigated via a microphone system (Sennheiser) and subsequent frequency spectrum analysis (n=12). The acoustic analysis algorithm included the number of frequency peaks recorded. Measurements with thrombi on the tilted pad showed an increased number of frequency peaks with all thrombus sizes compared to baseline measurements without any thrombus (baseline: 32.7±7.4; 0.5 mg: 45.3±10.4 up to 5 mg: 80.4±5.5). Power consumption was relevantly elevated in 5mg thrombus measurement only (6.3±1.29 W compared to 4.9±0.14 W at baseline). Measurements with thrombi in the primary and secondary showed no relevant alteration in power consumption and frequency peak count. We present an acoustic method that detects pump thrombi located on the tilted pad of the HVAD rotor requiring ten times less mass compared to thrombi detected by power consumption alterations used in current detection algorithms. Assuming that pump thrombi are growing over several days, the presented method may detect PT much earlier thereby increasing efficacy of medical therapy and helping to avoid pump exchange.

An experimental and numerical investigation of chevron fin structures in serpentine minichannel heat sinks

Water-cooled micro/minichannel heat sinks are an important component in managing the temperature of electronic components, particularly where high density of heat rejection is required. This study examines the potential to decrease the thermal resistance and enhance convective heat transfer of a serpentine heat exchanger by introducing chevron fins which create secondary flow paths. This novel design is found to significantly reduce both the pressure drop across the heat exchanger and the total thermal resistance by up to 60% and 10%, respectively, and enhance the average Nusselt number by 15%. A three-dimensional conjugate heat transfer model is developed and validated against experimental measurements, before being used to carry out a parametric study involving the chevron oblique angle, secondary channel width and heat flux. The design of the serpentine minichannel with chevron fins is then optimised in terms of the minichannel width, minichannel number and chevron oblique angle. A 50 point Optimal Latin Hypercubes Design of Experiment is constructed within the design variable space, using a permutation genetic algorithm, and accurate metamodels built using Radial Basis Functions. A Pareto front is constructed which enables designers to explore appropriate compromises between designs with low pressure drop and those with low thermal resistance.