Numerical analysis of various shapes of lozenge pin-fins in microchannel heat sink

Abstract

Abstract Higher density heat flux is the major cause of damage to the electronic component; therefore, cooling such components are of the utmost importance to operate in a safe zone and to increase their life. For this purpose, Microchannel heat sinks (MHSs) are among the most practical methods for dissipating unwanted heat. In this regard, the novel lozenge-shaped pin-fins in the flow passage of the microchannel heat sink (MHS) have been designed and proposed to achieve higher cooling performance. Aspect ratios (λ = 0.30, 0.39, 0.52, 0.69, 1.00) of several lozenge-shaped pin-fins have been used into the design of MHS to investigate their impact on heat transmission and fluid flow characteristics. A three-dimensional model of MHS with a lozenge-shaped has been generated and simulated numerically in the following range of Reynolds numbers, starting from 100 to 900. Heat transmission and flow characteristics have been presented and discussed in detail. It has been found that introducing lozenge-shaped pin-fins in MHS has greatly improved cooling performance. The highest improvement in Nusselt number has been observed when aspect ratio (λ) of lozenge-shaped pin-fins was 1.00. The Nusselt number have been varied in the following ranges of 6.96–12.34, 6.97–12.72, 7.01–13.62, 7.09–14.43, and 7.12–15.26 at λ = 0.30, λ = 0.39, λ = 0.52, λ = 0.69, and λ = 1.0, respectively. In addition, a study of the thermohydraulic performance of the proposed lozenge-shaped pin-fins in the MHS found that this design is an effective means of lowering operating temperature.