Study the Performance of a Dynamic Wall Heat Exchanger Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Thermal systems in small devices like cooling electronic chips require efficient technologies with small diameter channels. These systems have laminar flow and disrupted boundary layers, leading to high pressure drop values. To ensure sufficient flow and limit coolant temperature, a possible solution is to dynamically deform one channel wall to mimic pumping and disrupt boundary layers, creating a peristaltic effect, called a dynamic heat exchanger. The aim of the present numerical study is to explore the effects of different operating parameters of the dynamic wall heat exchanger on the heat transfer performance. In our numerical study we varied different operating parameters (amplitude of vibration A, frequency f, minimum gap between upper and lower wall H and pressure difference P) and observed how it affects the performance of the dynamic wall heat exchanger in terms of mass flow rate of coolant (water) and heat transfer coefficient. A crucial finding is that the distribution of isotherms and streamlines is adequate, and heat transfer is significant when the relative amplitude is high. Additionally, this type of wall can generate substantial heat transfer even with minimal externally applied pressure.