Electrohydrodynamic Conduction Driven Single- and Two-Phase Flow in Microchannels With Heat Transfer

Abstract

Microchannels have well-known applications in cooling because of their ability to handle large quantities of heat from small areas. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumping at the microscale has previously been demonstrated to effectively pump dielectric liquids through adiabatic microchannels by using electrodes that are flushed against the walls of the channel. In this study, an EHD micropump is used to pump liquid within a two-phase loop that contains a microchannel evaporator. Additional EHD electrodes are embedded within the evaporator, which can be energized separately from the adiabatic pump. The effect of these embedded electrodes on the heat transport process, flow rate, and pressure in the micro-evaporator and on the two-phase loop system is characterized. Local enhancements are found to be up to 30% at low heat fluxes. The reverse effect that phase-change has on the EHD conduction pumping phenomenon is also quantified.