Numerical Analysis of Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Lattice-Based Compact Heat Sinks

Single unit cell thick lattice frame materials have applications in efficient heat exchangers. The present study is focused on strut-based sandwich-type configurations obtained through reticulation of unit cell topologies of Tetrakaidecahedron, Octet, and Rhombic dodecahedron shapes at a porosity of 0.9 with water as the working fluid. Interfacial heat transfer coefficient values on struts and endwalls were determined by imposing constant temperature boundary condition. Averaged heat transfer coefficient on the endwall was the highest for Tetrakaidecahedron lattice whereas Rhombic dodecahedron lattice exhibited the highest average interfacial heat transfer coefficients on the struts. Flow analysis showed the presence of strong secondary flow features on planes normal to the mean flow direction that demonstrated the unique flow mixing capabilities of these lattices. Reported interfacial heat transfer coefficient at struts and endwall can be used in volume-averaged computations of metal foams (representative of lattices' flow and thermal properties) under local thermal non-equilibrium.