Uniform Flow Rate Distribution Research Articles

Efficient optimization of parallel micro-channel heat sinks based on flow resistance network model

Electronics cooling is a critical issue affecting technological development. Parallel micro-channel heat sink (PMCHS) is widely applied for electronics cooling. However, the existing optimization methods are incapable to perform efficient design of three-dimensional liquid-cooled PMCHSs, impeding the thermal management of high power and volume-shrinking electronics. In this study, a flow resistance network (FRN) model is developed for structural optimization of three-dimensional liquid-cooled PMCHSs. Based on the uniform flow rate distribution, the FRN model is used to determine the optimized parallel channel widths and the optimized inlet deflector shape of the PMCHS. With the optimized parallel channel widths, the maximum temperature (Tmax) of the PMCHS is decreased by 4.0 K and the temperature standard deviation (σT) is decreased by 20%. With the optimized inlet deflector shape, Tmax and σT are reduced by 4.8 K and 14% respectively. The optimization method based on the developed FRN model for structural design of PMCHSs avoids multiple iterations of system parameters in existing optimization methods, showing its potential in high efficient thermal management of electronics.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of stepped dropshaft with different step shapes

Abstract The deep tunnel system is increasingly used worldwide for stormwater conveyance and storage, providing a robust and effective means of preventing urban waterlogging. In the system, the dropshaft, with the function of conveying stormwater to the deep tunnels underground, often runs under conditions of high falling head and large discharge. Based on the standard stepped dropshaft, a blade-shaped stepped dropshaft was proposed in order to control the potential standing wave and improve discharge capacity. Its hydraulic characteristics in respect of flow pattern, flow rate distribution, time-averaged pressure and energy dissipation were investigated by numerical simulation. Compared with the standard stepped dropshaft, the blade-shaped stepped dropshaft generated a more uniform flow rate distribution in the radial direction, therefore effectively decreasing the height of the standing wave near the external wall. The negative pressure areas that easily existed on the vertical wall of steps were well controlled. The energy dissipation of the blade-shaped stepped dropshaft was as high as that of the standard stepped dropshaft. Therefore, the blade-shaped stepped dropshaft could be a preferable design for the deep tunnel system.

Flow-splitting-based computation of outlet boundary conditions for improved cerebrovascular simulation in multiple intracranial aneurysms.

Image-based hemodynamic simulations have great potential for precise blood flow predictions in intracranial aneurysms. Due to model assumptions and simplifications with respect to boundary conditions, clinical acceptance remains limited. Within this study, we analyzed the influence of outflow-splitting approaches on multiple aneurysm studies and present a new outflow-splitting approach that takes the precise morphological vessel cross sections into account. We provide a detailed comparison of five outflow strategies considering eight intracranial aneurysms: zero-pressure configuration (1), a flow splitting inspired by Murray's law with a square (2) and a cubic (3) vessel diameter, a flow splitting incorporating vessel bifurcations based on circular vessel cross sections (4) and our novel flow splitting including vessel bifurcations and anatomical vessel cross sections (5). Other boundary conditions remain constant. For each simulation and each aneurysm, we conducted an evaluation based on common hemodynamic parameters, e.g., normalized wall shear stress and inflow concentration index. The comparison of five outflow strategies for image-based simulations shows a large variability regarding the parameters of interest. Qualitatively, our strategy based on anatomical cross sections yields a more uniform flow rate distribution with increased aneurysm inflow rates. The commonly used zero-pressure approach shows the largest variations, especially for more distal aneurysms. A rank ordering of multiple aneurysms in one patient might still be possible, since the ordering appeared to be independent of the outflow strategy. The results reveal that outlet boundary conditions have a crucial impact on image-based blood flow simulations, especially for multiple aneurysm studies. We could confirm the advantages of the more complex outflow-splitting model (4) including an incremental improvement (5) compared to strategies (1), (2) and (3) for this application scenario. Furthermore, we discourage from using zero-pressure configurations that lack a physiological basis.

Constructal Microdevice Manifold Design With Uniform Flow Rate Distribution by Consideration of the Tree-Branching Rule of Leonardo da Vinci and Hess–Murray Rule

In this paper, we show how the design of a microdevice manifold should be tapered for uniform flow rate distribution. The designs based on the tree-branching rule of Leonardo da Vinci and the Hess–Murray rule were considered in addition to the constructal design. Both da Vinci and Hess–Murray designs are insensitive to the inlet velocity, and they provide better flow uniformity than the base (not tapered) design. However, the results of this paper uncover that not only pressure drop but also velocity distribution in the microdevice play an integral role in the flow uniformity. Therefore, an iterative approach was adopted with five degrees-of-freedom (inclined wall positions) and one constraint (constant distribution channel thickness) in order to uncover the constructal design which conforms the uniform flow rate distribution. In addition, the effect of slenderness of the microchannels (Svelteness) and inlet velocity on the flow rate distribution to the microchannels has been documented. This paper also uncovers that the design of a manifold should be designed with not only the consideration of pressure distribution but also dynamic pressure distribution especially for non-Svelte microdevices.

A study on the exit flow characteristics determined by the orifice configuration of multi-perforated tubes

A multi-perforated tube indicates the existence of multiple holes in various shapes on the surface of long cylinder-type or rectangular tubes, and the hole installed on the surface is called an orifice as it is relatively small in size, compared with the surface area of the tubes. In this study, flowrate distribution features and changes in discharge angle according to the blockage ratio resulting from the changes in the number of orifices and the thickness of multi-perforated tubes were investigated by means of analysis and experiment, targeting the multi-perforated tubes where rectangular orifices are installed on the both sides of square tubes. In addition, contraction coefficient and flow coefficient between orifices were analytically investigated. The more increase in blockage ratio of multi-perforated tubes, the more uniform flowrate distribution between orifices. The discharge angle becomes more and more perpendicular in the longitudinal direction of multi-perforated tubes as it gets closer to the end of orifices, exhibiting big differences at the entrance if blockage ratio is small. The more increase in the thickness of multi-perforated tubes, the more uniform flowrate distribution between orifices become as contraction coefficient increases. The flow coefficient distribution of orifices using the pressure at the entrance of the orifices of multi-perforated tubes increases in the longitudinal direction of the multi-perforated tubes, exhibiting values ranging from 0.66 to 0.68 as to BR = 0.893 ∼ 0.979.

Calculation of Fluid Flow Distribution Inside a Compact Ceramic High Temperature Heat Exchanger and Chemical Decomposer

Numerical analysis of flow distribution inside a compact ceramic high temperature heat exchanger and chemical decomposer (thereafter, heat exchanger), which will be used for hydrogen production, wherein the sulfur iodine thermochemical cycle is performed. To validate the numerical model, experimental investigation of the heat exchanger is accomplished. The study of the flow distribution in the base line design heat exchanger shows that the design has large-flow maldistribution and the reverse flow may occur at poor inlet and outlet manifold configurations. To enhance uniformity of the flow rate distribution among the heat exchanger internal channels, several improved designs of the heat exchanger manifolds and supply channels are proposed. The proposed designs have a sufficiently uniform flow rate distribution among the internal channels, with an appropriate pressure drop.

Optimization of Quench Tank Structure Based on CFD Simulation

In order to investigate the flow rate distribution and improve the flow rate uniformity of the quenchant in a quench tank, the ultrasonic Doppler velocimeter (UDV) was used to measure the flow rate of quenchant with agitation, and then a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was carried out to simulate the flow rate distribution without / with flow baffles. According to the CFD simulation results, the structures and positions of flow baffles in the draft-tube were optimized to obtain the uniform flow rate distribution in the quench zone, which were verified by experiments as well. The simulation and experimental results show that the UDV is suitable for measuring the flow rate of a large-size quench tank. This research provided a solid foundation for optimizing the structure design of flow baffles in production quench tanks.