Numerical analysis of enhanced heat transfer and nanofluid flow mechanisms in fan groove and pyramid truss microchannels

Abstract

A combined groove and truss structure is designed for rectangular microchannel heat sinks with 4 % Al₂O₃ nanofluid as the working fluid to address the heat dissipation requirements of high heat flux density electronic devices. The effects of fan shape, elliptical, waterdrop, rectangular, trapezoidal and triangular grooves on the heat transfer characteristics and mechanical properties of microchannels are investigated. The fan-shaped groove microchannels with the best overall heat transfer performance and excellent mechanical properties. The stress of the fan-shaped grooved truss microchannel is reduced by 76.41 % compared to the smooth microchannel. Three structural parameters were investigated, including the length of the truss in the spreading direction (L_x), the ratio of truss flow downstream length to upstream length (e) and truss rod diameter (d). The performance of the microchannels is reflected by the integrated heat transfer factor and the field coordination number. The individual structural parameters were analysed in a single-factor comparison. The microchannels exhibited the best hydrothermal performance in the Reynolds number range of 500 ∼ 1300 at L_x = 0.8 mm, e = 3, d = 0.2 mm. When the Reynolds number is 900, the microchannel with the optimal parameter combination exhibits a remarkable enhancement of 234 % in the Nusselt number and an 80 % increase in the integrated heat transfer factor compared to the rectangular microchannel.